A Service of Wholeness: Integration of Worship, Persons, Institution, and Pastor

Frequently people report to chaplains the desire for a worship service in the hospital setting. The chaplain is challenged to provide worship that is appropriate to the context—health concerns, multi-faith community, demands on the chaplain's time. The author offers a model of an interfaith “Service of Wholeness” that has proven to be meaningful in his context. The service seeks to create a space for community, worship, and healing/wholeness for “the whole” through prayers, stories and readings, a common table, and rituals of touch. The author also provides background to, commentary on, and the results of, the service.