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The Ministry to the Aged Pastoral Care Team
ministers to care center residents and their families and to center
staff. Chaplains engage in group activities such as Bible
study, hymn singing, playing trivia as well as making
personal visits to individual residents. People residing in
care centers may feel lonely, depressed, or angry as they
experience loss, adjust to new circumstances and face
suffering or death. As people grow older there may be a
desire to deepen their spiritual life. These are all occasions
where MTA Chaplains provide sensitive and supportive pastoral
care.
MTA Chaplains are trained to provide
pastoral care in various situations connected with life in a
residential care facility. When a loved one moves to a care
center, family members experience many complex feelings.
Suffering or dying are times of loss, grief and hope for the
whole family. Care center staff often experience deep
feelings for the people they care for on a daily basis.
Residents, their families and center staff all benefit from
the ministry of the MTA Pastoral Care Team.
Whenever possible, chaplains work with
leaders of faith communities in ministry to their members.
Chaplains are available for everyone regardless of their
faith background or if they profess no faith at all. Members
of the MTA Pastoral Care Team do not proselytize but feel it
is an honor and privilege to facilitate spiritual growth for
people who now make their home in a care center. As a
testament to the care they provide, MTA chaplains are often
asked to officiate at memorial or funeral services for
former care center residents.
Gifts in memory of loved ones
and in response to care provided by our chaplains are made
to MTA and contribute to our ability to continue to provide
this special ministry.
MTA Pastoral Care Team
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John Payne, Senior Chaplain
is a Presbyterian (USA)
minister. He received his Master of Divinity degree
from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur,
Georgia, and his PhD from the University of
Mississippi. John attended the Georgia Baptist
Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education Program in
Atlanta, Georgia. Before moving to Boise, John
taught at Union University, Memphis, TN., and served
as the part-time pastor of Blackjack Presbyterian
Church. In addition to providing pastoral care as a
chaplain with MTA, John is pastor for Church of the
Redeemer (PCUSA) in Weiser, Idaho.
“I find great satisfaction in traveling with older adults on their
spiritual journey. Their journey may take them
through fear, depression, anger, discouragement, as
well as sense of accomplishment and purpose. When
leaving a facility after providing pastoral care to
residents I almost always feel better than when I
arrived. Their courage – and humor is an
inspiration. I am grateful for the opportunity to
serve as Senior Chaplain for the MTA Pastoral Care
Team.”
John enjoys camping,
walking and reading. |
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Carol Brunlinger, Chaplain is a Commissioned
Lay Pastor in the Boise Presbytery and Southminster
Presbyterian Church with additional clinical
pastoral care training. She has a B.S. in Nursing
from California State University at Fullerton,
California and worked as a RN in long-term care for
more than ten years before changing her profession.
Carol is active in the Order of St. Luke, an
international ecumenical organization devoted to the
study and teaching of healing prayer. She is
chaplain for the healing prayer group at
Southminster, chaplain at Horizon Hospice in
Meridian and member of the MTA Pastoral Care Team.
“While working as a long term care nurse, it
became increasingly clear to me how many of the
distresses of my patients (and their families) were
of a spiritual nature and I felt more and more drawn
to addressing them in a spiritual way - in true
pastoral ministry. Since becoming a Chaplain I have
found much satisfaction in my work and have never
had any doubts that I am where God wants me to be.”
Carol enjoys square dancing, continuing education, reading
and writing, and walking. |
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Tom Warner, Chaplain is an ordained minister
with the Advent Christian General Conference. He
attended Boise State College (now University) and
graduated with honors from Multnomah Bible College,
Portland, Oregon. Tom has pastored churches in five
states and also been a regular contributor to three
Christian publications. In addition to providing
pastoral care as a chaplain with MTA, Tom began
providing pastoral care half-time as chaplain at the
Idaho State Veterans Home in July 2006.
“After pastoring churches for 20+ years, I had a year
respite at a Christian retirement village in
Florida. There, I saw what excellent pastoral care
meant for the residents. The village sponsored a
national summit on ministry to older adults where I
met several chaplains of care centers and became
very interested in their work. When I returned to
Boise I heard about MTA from a friend and was able
to meet Chaplain John Payne. Soon after I joined the
MTA Pastoral Care Team.”
Tom enjoys reading, old movies, playing guitar, singing
oldies, and doing comedic accents for people's
answering machines. |
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Otto Zuckschwerdt, Chaplain is affiliated
with the Pentecostal Church of God. He has a Masters
in Education in Counseling from Albertson College of
Idaho and a Ph.D. from Evangel Christian University.
Otto is licensed by the State of Idaho as a Clinical
Professional Counselor. He has served as a Pastor,
Police Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, Military
Chaplain and Hospice Chaplain. Otto has also
provided mental health counseling in various
settings in the past and currently works as a
counselor in addition to providing pastoral care as
a member of the MTA Pastoral Care Team.
“Why am I a chaplain to the aged? It is a whole
theological question - in brief, Jesus came to
preach good news and to heal the broken hearted.
When people come to the end of their life they
especially need the reminder of this hope in Christ
and His strength when they struggle through real
life problems and challenges. Jesus gives us this
strength and hope as we face fear, trouble, and life
frustrations.” |
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