Yesterday was my last 'official' on-call shift of CPE. I say 'official' because I've signed up for 3 extras between the end of CPE and September. "Why?" you might ask - simple - money.
In one on call, I feel I did more that I would describe as chaplaincy, then I've done the preceding 11 weeks of CPE.
The day started by leading the chapel's standard 30 minute worship service. Despite being the last student led service of the summer, it represented a lot of personal firsts.
It was the first time I preached without notes - I intentionally did not write out my homily before hand. I am aware that, during previous preaching engagements, I tend to refer to my notes more than I should. This has the effect of distancing me from the congregation.
It was also the first time I got out of the pulpit, and preached from the transept. This was liberating! I chose to do so for a number of reasons. If one isn't using the pulpit to hold one's notes (or possibly a glass of water) it begs the question "What is the use of a pulpit, other than a barrier between the homilist and the congregation?". Before the advent of sound systems, elevating the homilist made it easier for him to be heard (and it was always him). In many denominational traditions, it became an symbol of the elevation of preaching. The latter is a view that I think is being challenged, especially by those who have experienced the homilist bringing his or her homily to the people's midst.
After the service, throughout my overnight stay at the hospital, I had four significant calls. Without breaking confidentiality, I think I can state that I had one patient who wanted a visit so as to discuss issues faith, finding that very helpful; another patient was being released after having come to through emergency, and needed to be clothed before being released; and I had the opportunity to journey with two families grieving the loss of loved ones at the extremes of the age spectrum.
I left the hospital earlier than normal today (at noon), because I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. I was so tired that my eyes clicked and I strongly suspect that I smelled a lot like a goat. I was alos emotionally drained. But it was an amazing priviledge to share the love of God publicly and privately.
In one on call, I feel I did more that I would describe as chaplaincy, then I've done the preceding 11 weeks of CPE.
The day started by leading the chapel's standard 30 minute worship service. Despite being the last student led service of the summer, it represented a lot of personal firsts.
It was the first time I preached without notes - I intentionally did not write out my homily before hand. I am aware that, during previous preaching engagements, I tend to refer to my notes more than I should. This has the effect of distancing me from the congregation.
It was also the first time I got out of the pulpit, and preached from the transept. This was liberating! I chose to do so for a number of reasons. If one isn't using the pulpit to hold one's notes (or possibly a glass of water) it begs the question "What is the use of a pulpit, other than a barrier between the homilist and the congregation?". Before the advent of sound systems, elevating the homilist made it easier for him to be heard (and it was always him). In many denominational traditions, it became an symbol of the elevation of preaching. The latter is a view that I think is being challenged, especially by those who have experienced the homilist bringing his or her homily to the people's midst.
After the service, throughout my overnight stay at the hospital, I had four significant calls. Without breaking confidentiality, I think I can state that I had one patient who wanted a visit so as to discuss issues faith, finding that very helpful; another patient was being released after having come to through emergency, and needed to be clothed before being released; and I had the opportunity to journey with two families grieving the loss of loved ones at the extremes of the age spectrum.
I left the hospital earlier than normal today (at noon), because I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. I was so tired that my eyes clicked and I strongly suspect that I smelled a lot like a goat. I was alos emotionally drained. But it was an amazing priviledge to share the love of God publicly and privately.
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