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Chaplain FAQ *
Frequently Asked Questions
About Chaplains & Chaplaincy

at   Unity of the Valley     Eugene, Oregon
" For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. "
    Matthew 18:20
 


Photo by Lori Ross

  1. " What do Chaplains Do? "

    • Chaplains are here to hold Sacred Space, to Listen to you, to Pray with and for you for your Highest Good. Everything you share with us is in strict confidence.
    • Chaplains also make "Wellness Calls" to every member of the congregation (unless you've specifically requested not to be called) once a month, and try to visit members when they are home-bound or in the hospital and unable to come to Sunday service.
    • If you'd like to reach one of the Chaplains to be in touch with you, please phone the Chaplain Line at (541) 341-1841. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

  2. " Who is my Chaplain? "     ( Click on the picture and we'll introduce ourselves )

    • If you'd like to know specifically who is your Chaplain, call the Chaplain Line at (541) 341-1841 and we'd be happy to help you.

  3. " May I choose my Chaplain? "

    • Your Chaplain was randomly assigned according to the alphabet, with each Chaplain receiving approximately the same number of members to contact. If there is a reason you prefer to have or not have a particular Chaplain, please phone the Chaplain Line at (541) 341-1841 and we will try and help you.

  4. " How many Chaplains are there? "

    • As of Spring 2005, we have nine Chaplains at Unity of the Valley. Shortly, we expect to bring a few more aboard, since the recent training swelled our ranks. At least three (and often more) of the Chaplains are available before and after every Sunday morning service, usually located around the Sanctuary, for those who would like One-on-One Prayer in person.

  5. " If I call during the week, how often is the Chaplain Line checked for messages? When can I expect a return call? "

    • The Chaplain Line, (541) 341-1841, is checked at least daily. In general your Chaplain should be able to get back to you within a day or two. Since all Chaplains are volunteers and will have their own busy lives as well, it may be up to a few days before you hear back. If your Chaplain is out of town, the Chaplain Coordinator will return your call. Please remember that the Chaplain Line is not a crisis line, nor a place where you should expect to leave messages of a critical or immediate nature.

  6. " When will my Chaplain be in touch?"

    • Each of the Chaplains sets his or her own calling schedule, usually two to three days a month. All of the wellness calls from a Chaplain are made from the church. Specific times a Chaplain may call you for your "wellness calls" varies by Chaplain and may vary month to month. It is our intention to make some contact (by phone, by leaving a message, by a personal home-bound or hospital-room visit, or by writing a brief note) at least once every month.

  7. " If my Chaplain only calls a day or two a month, can I phone them at home for a specific prayer request? "

    • Please do not call your Chaplain at home or work. Use the Chaplain Line at (541) 341-1841 in order to get in touch with them, so that we can be of best service to you. Our Chaplains are volunteers in service to the Unity community. Their private lines are not the appropriate place to be in touch for Chaplain concerns.

  8. " What if I need prayer immediately instead of waiting for my Chaplain to call me again? "

    • If you would like a call or contact about a pressing matter of prayer you may:
      • Use our Online Prayer Request: WWW.UnityOfTheValley.org/prayer.htm,
      • Phone the Church Office at (541) 345-9913 and speak to a Minister,
      • Call a member of the Prayer Chain,
      • Call Silent Unity at (816) 969-2000,
      • Call the Dial-A-Prayer Line at (541) 345-5689 for a pre-recorded prayer,
      • Leave a message on our Chaplain Line at (541) 341-1841.

  9. " Will my Chaplain be able to help me solve my problems, too? "

    • We are not here to judge you, to advise or counsel you, nor to solve your problems with or for you. We are here to share in the Blessings and Challenges of your life, in Compassion and in Joy. Praying with a Chaplain can help to deepen your Prayer Life, help you tap into the resources within you, and connect with God in a real and practical way.

  10. " Are there limitations as to what I can ask to be prayed about? "

    • There is nothing too small nor too large to share with your Chaplain for a quiet moment of Blessing or Peace in Spirit. Remember that our Chaplains are not a problem solving agency or a chat service, but we are genuinely interested in hearing about what's going on in your life and how your Personal Spiritual Adventures are evolving.

  11. " I really appreciate my Chaplain. May I take him / her to lunch?"

    • It is probably not appropriate for you to take your Chaplain to lunch, but we encourage you to feel free to visit with them during our weekly fellowship time after Sunday service. This is not only a perfect time for you to visit with your Chaplain, but to meet other members and Chaplains, too and ask any questions you may have about the Chaplaincy Program at Unity of the Valley.

  12. " I would like to consider becoming a Chaplain, too.   How does that happen?"

    • Our next Chaplain Training will begin shortly. You are welcome to consider applying.
    • In order to become a Chaplain, you must
      • be an active current member of Unity of the Valley
      • complete the Foundations of Unity class
      • complete Prayer classes
      • be accepted as a candidate to complete the Chaplaincy training
      • complete all requirements of the Chaplaincy Training program
      • agree to serve for a year
Unity Chaplain FAQ compiled by Jerral Sapienza, one of Unity of the Valley's charter Chaplains,
and author of URGENT WHISPERS: Care of the Dying, as well as puzzle poems about Chaplaincy and Unity of the Valley.

The Unity
PRAYER of
PROTECTION

The light of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us. The presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is.