My theory of pastoral care is grounded in relationship. Unitarian Universalism is grounded in covenant: connections with each other, with community, and with all of creation. From these connections comes a sense of belonging, within creation and the human family. From there, we come to an understanding of who we are and the meaning we give our lives. From this understanding comes a connection to all, which I name as holy.
As a minister, I offer pastoral care that focuses on these holy connections. When I offer blessings or prayer, it is a reminder of our relationships to each other, to our lives, to our tasks, and to the higher good. For many, these relationships are what is called God. As a chaplain, I offered room blessings and hand blessings to the shared work of the staff as caregivers. I prayed with families when a tragedy struck. As a family comes together to face the unthinkable, such as illness or the end of life, the holy is there.
My theory of pastoral care understands suffering as circumstances that are beyond our expectations. A practice of radical acceptance can carry us through emotions such as anger, grief, and disbelief when traumatic events occur. It is the opening of our heart fully to the reality of the experience and seeking solace in connections with others, that carries us through such hardships.
Ultimately, through this vision of pastoral care and of my ministry as a whole, I seek to offer to others a means to finding their own religious truth and meaning in their life’s journey. The holy is present and they are not alone on this journey. I offer pastoral care by remaining connected to them in times of distress. The connections between us become the vessel that carries us in our spiritual quest towards wholeness.
Rev. Christina Branum-Martin 