Thursday, we had the Blessings Of The Hands here at our hospital in the South Atlanta area near I-75. An announcement was made several times throughout the hospital that Chaplain's would be conducting the Blessings Of the Hands.All staff were invited to participate at several different times; 6:30am close to the entrance of the Cafeteria, from noon to 1pm at the Chapel, and from 10-11pm that night. The goal being to have a time of blessing on each shift. After the morning session near the Cafeteria, two of we Chaplains went floor-to-floor and to each department, ER, ICU, Wound Center, Infusion Center etc., offering an opportunity for staff to participate. The setting was very simple. We would find an empty room (not easy to do in our hospital) a small nook or small table just off to the side, so as not to impede emergency hallway situations.In each area, I would speak personally to the Charge Nurse and she would then make contact with all nurses who could break away from what they were going. It was absolutely voluntary. The response was terrific. In some areas, staff lined up six and seven at a time while other nurses covered for them.The ceremony was even more simple taking only about two minutes with each person unless they wanted prayer for situations they were facing in life. Numbers of them did.I would anoint the top of their hands with oil, so they would not have to rush to wash their hands immediately in case they were called away to help a patient in an emergency. Taking their hand, all I said was that we had come to thank them for their service to others. We thanked them for their heart for others and for their hands which are used for continued service to others. The other Chaplain would read a brief blessing and we would pray that God would bless their life and their work with others. it was amazing. What amazed me was the depth of response to such a brief and simple ceremony. Almost every participant had tears in their eyes. Many reached out to hug us and say how much they appreciated us coming to their floor so they could participate.In NICU, Nursery Intensive Care Unit where the preemie babies were being incubated, every nurse, about 23 of them from two shifts, asked us to anoint their hands. Two at a time, as other nurses covered for them, they would come to participate. As we were beginning to close down at that location, two nurses came running down the hallway.Please don't go until we receive the blessing, they pleaded. Honestly, I was floored by the positive response.Did every doctor and nurse participate? No, some could not and others chose not to but there was no opposition at all. It went so well, that we were asked to come today to the Newton Medical Center in Covington, GA (on I-20 near Conyers). It is a smaller hospital but the response there was excellent from noon to 2pm. it was so good until we had to extend it.As I share this, I'm at a Coffee Shop on the town square in Covington. In about an hour, we will have the Blessing Of The Hands for the evening shift at the Medical Center here. Several area ministers are helping this evening.Note: I intentionally did not mention the name of the Chaplain who worked with me yesterday since I do not at this time have their permission to use their name. They won't mind but I wanted to be sure and check with them before using their name.Doyl
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