“Virtual Coffee” Zoom Time
By Tom Nuckels, Director of Spiritual Care, Central Texas
As you know, Lifeline chaplains have had to be innovative in the ways that we function and connect with staff, volunteer caregivers, and in making hospital visits. Much of our ministry is now performed “virtually” by way of televisits to the hospital room by a phone call, Facetime, or other means. It’s not the same as “being there,” but does enable us to provide spiritual care through electronic medium, which in previous years would not have been possible.
It is also through this medium that we are able to connect as a group. Each Wednesday morning, Central Texas volunteers visit through a time of “Virtual Coffee” on Zoom. We are able to discuss the activities of the week, check in about our families, and consider ways in which we can continue to serve the community. Recently, Dr. Virgil Fry joined us to share updates about Lifeline and included a poem for reflection and contemplative practice. Chuck Hix also reported on the recent Tarrant County “Bash” and positive news about the organization’s progress.
Everyone cannot be present each week. However, it is time well spent to remind each other that we are not alone, to reconnect, to see smiling faces of our Lifeline friends, and to hear each other’s stories. We do look forward, however, to getting back into the hospitals and to be physically present in the rooms of patients, to listen to their stories, and to pray with them and their families. Until that time comes, we will continue to connect virtually and serve others in this abnormal “current reality” time of our lives.