A Sacred Journey

Finding God in Caregiving

Caregivers, as they pour out physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength, are unsung heroes. But caregivers also need care. They need encouragement, inspiration, courage, camaraderie, and support.

HOPE worldwide MA and the Boston Church of Christ sponsored a free virtual workshop, The Sacred Journey: Finding God in Caregiving. We are pleased to offer you the recordings of these outstanding resources.

First, Gail Scott Key interviews a panel of caregivers including Roger and Marcia Lamb, Jeanie Shaw, Sam Shaw, and Rich and Lisa Fischer who, with raw honesty, shares scriptures, insights, and practical habits that helped them find God when at times He felt far. They vulnerably discuss ways they discovered anew God’s presence as they walked this sacred caregiving journey.

Breakout classes, taught by courageous men and women representing various caregiving situations include: caring for children who need special care taught by Frank and Rhoda Astone and Peggy Malutinok; caring for parents and other adults with Danielle Petruzzi and Rich and Lisa Fischer; caring for a spouse with Carl Christenson and Chantal Cornely; grief in caregiving with Roger and Marcia Lamb, with sharing by Sheila Karonis; care for the caregiver with Sam Shaw and Jeanie Shaw; resources in caregiving with Anne-Mer Slebodnick, Maureen McCartney, and Patrice Gattozzi; and financial and legal matters with Guillermo Adame. 

We are also thrilled to announce the release of a new book by the same title, The Sacred Journey: Finding God in Caregiving, a collection of vulnerable, inspirational, and informational stories by caregivers who have found God’s support amid their trials. You can order now through Illumination Publishers.

https://www.ipibooks.com/products/the-sacred-journey-finding-god-in-caregiving

May God be with you as you share the unconditional love of our God through caregiving.

The Sacred JourneY panel – Finding God in Caregiving

Jeanie Shaw, Sam Shaw, Richard and Lisa Fischer, and Roger and Marcia Lamb - moderated by Gail Scott-Key

Caregiving Sessions with Q&A

CAREGIVING & GRIEF

Roger and Marica Lamb & Sheila Karonis

Grief does not only happen after losing a loved one. Caregivers experience ever-changing grief as they mourn and anticipate transitions. Roger and Marcia Lamb, well acquainted with caregiving and grief share practical and deeply emotional thoughts for handling grief in caregiving. Sheila Karonis also offers wisdom from her vast caregiving responsibilities and accompanying grief.

Caregiving for a spouse

Carl Christensen and Chantal Cornely

While all caregiving is difficult, caregiving for a spouse while being a spouse brings varied challenges. Carl Christensen offers wise counsel from his experience caring for his wife when she suffered from a long, debilitating illness and Chantal Cornely offers spiritual and practical thoughts from navigating life as she cared for her husband who suffered from cancer.

Caregiving for Children

Frank & Rhoda Astone and Peggy Malutinok

Frank and Rhoda Astone, who care for their severely disabled (since birth) daughter who is now in her mid-30's, and Peggy Malutinok (whose son suffered a traumatic life-changing brain injury after an accident) share practical and spiritual ways they navigate their sacred journey of caregiving.

Caregiving for Parents & Other Adults

Rich and Lisa Fischer & Danielle Petruzzi

Danielle Petruzzi shares her sacred journey while caring for her mother, who had multiple sclerosis and also developed frontal lobe dementia. Rich and Lisa Fisher, who have cared for numerous relatives in their home and from afar also give helpful tools and insights from their journeys.

Caregiving RESOURCES

Anne-Mer Slebodnick, Maureen McCartney, and Patrice Gattozzi.

Anne-Mer Slebodnick, through her work for the elderly as well as her nursing background, sheds light on resources available for caregiving. Maureen McCartney, a hospice nurse furthers knowledge of available resources through palliative and hospice care. Patrice Gattozzi, who connects caregivers with their communities adds to the knowledge of resources.