Pastoral Care Week 2021

October 25, 2021

Happy Pastoral Care Week 2021

New Brunswick Theological Seminary in acknowledging Pastoral Care Week extends congratulations to all its CPE partners who prepare our students to answer their calls, and to our graduates who have answered the call to the many forms of chaplaincy ministry especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic- disaster relief, military, correctional, healthcare, nonprofit, faith communities, and corporate. Know that the work that you do listening to people’s stories in difficult times in their lives participates in “God’s own laboring” to bring about healing and wholeness in the midst of the brokenness that exists within the creation. Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together states, “It is God’s Love for us that God not only gives us God’s Word but also lends us God’s ear. So it is God’s work that we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them (p 97).” When we are attentive to the cries of those who are in need- physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually- we are doing God’s work and thus participating in the process of healing to those we serve. Pastoral psychotherapist, Rev. Margaret Kornfeld reminds us, “You are a facilitator in the mysterious healing process that has already begun in those who call you for help.” It is my prayer that as you continue to do pastoral care ministry that you will be a blessing to all those you encounter.

-Dr. Raynard Smith,
Associate Prof. of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Director of the MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling Program