Connections Quarterly

When we launched the Connections Quarterly e-publication, we launched with the vision of connecting the health and wellness ministry of the faith-based, values driven legacy of Advocate Health Care with congregations. Through these pages we also wanted to share the stories of wellness ministries which are occurring across area congregations. Our goal was to connect each other for the good of the community. Today we look back with gratitude for all that we were able to accomplish.

By God’s guidance in 2018 we were able to touch approximately 4800 lives from the 106 programs we provided for the faith community.

Gratitude that we were able to offer Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at both Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Advocate Sherman Hospital. At both hospitals we offer Internship and Residency (which is a year-long full-time paid training).

Gratitude that we were able to offer 24/7 pastoral care to patients at our hospitals with a very diverse and skilled chaplains.

Gratitude that we were able to provide clothes and toiletries from patients in need from our Compassion Closet at each of our hospitals. 

Gratitude that we were able to provide Compassionate Companions for any of our patients who are alone and lonely who could benefit from this companionship. 

Gratitude that we were able to provide worship services weekly from our Chapel of The Good Shepherd. These worship services led by pastors Dorociak of Presbyterian Church of Barrington, Merkner of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tieman of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Fistler of First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake are broadcast live to patients’ rooms.

Gratitude that we were able to provide Spiritual Welcome Volunteers for our patients.

Gratitude that we were able to provide Ministers of Care for our Roman Catholic patients seven-days-a-week through the partnership with area Catholic congregations.

Gratitude that we were able to provide professionally trained therapeutic musician for health and healing.

Gratitude that we were able to offer professional Ethics Consults when appropriate.

Gratitude that we were able to offer an Advance Directives service to our patients which is led by our chaplains.

Gratitude that we were able to offer interfaith ministry in the community in partnership with FaithBridge. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Sounds of Faith youth interfaith music concert, and Interfaith Thanksgiving Service were organized.

Gratitude that we were able to offer various programs promoting ministry with Veterans including all-day free seminars for congregations, clothing and toiletries collection for homeless Veterans, and Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances.

Gratitude that we were able to offer day-long educational events for houses of worship on active shooter training in partnership with Lake County Sheriff department, US Homeland Security office in Chicago, and regional FBI office.

Gratitude that we were able to offer opioid and heroin addiction training for houses of worship in English and Spanish in collaboration with Lake County Opioid and Heroin Addiction Task Force.

Gratitude that we were able to offer various educational programs, lectures, seminars, leadership training events, and health screenings through our Congregational Outreach Ministry program.

Gratitude that we were able to offer Center for Lay Ministry which offers pastoral visitation  ministry both in English and Spanish. 

We enter the New Year with the firm conviction, the sane God who guided us and led us in 2018 will lead us to amazing possibilities in 2019!

Thank you for your partnership and support.