Honoring Our Legacy, Embracing Our Future: Introducing the Institute for Advancing Spiritual Care
For over four decades, Episcopal Community Services has brought steady comfort and compassionate care to our neighbors across Utah. We have trained dedicated chaplains, supported families in crisis, and served alongside healthcare teams and first responders.
Today, we are proud to share a meaningful step forward in our story.
Starting August 10, 2026, Episcopal Community Services will officially become the Institute for Advancing Spiritual Care.
A Name That Reflects Our Shared Mission
Our new name clearly communicates the full scope of our work: educating and preparing board-certified chaplains, placing qualified spiritual care professionals in healthcare and community settings, and advocating for spiritual care as an essential part of whole-person health.
Adopting the name Institute for Advancing Spiritual Care allows us to communicate our mission with complete clarity to healthcare partners, faith communities, students, and donors of all backgrounds. This step honors our commitment to inclusive, multi-faith care and ensures our tradition of professional spiritual care continues to serve our entire community.
Deeply Rooted in Our Heritage
While our name is updating, our foundational identity remains unchanged. We remain deeply grounded in our Episcopal roots and diocesan heritage.
Central to our story is a 41-year legacy of accredited clinical pastoral education at St. Mark’s Hospital. We owe this enduring tradition of excellence to our founder, the late Rev. Lincoln Ure. Father Ure dedicated four decades to pioneering professional spiritual care in Utah. His commitment to human dignity and clinical excellence remains the heartbeat of the Institute.
To reflect our ongoing clinical training partnership, our facility at St. Mark’s is also updating its name to the Center for Advancing Spiritual Care & Education at St. Mark’s Hospital.
Our Promise to the Community
For our supporters, partners, and neighbors, our core commitment is constant:
Our Mission: We remain dedicated to preparing multi-faith chaplains who bring healing, dignity, and comfort to people during life’s hardest moments.
A Fresh Look: Over the coming weeks, you will see our updated name, logo, website, and email addresses.
Looking Forward Together
No one should have to face crisis, grief, or uncertainty alone. With your continued partnership, the Institute for Advancing Spiritual Care will keep bringing compassionate caregivers to the bedside, the front lines, and throughout our community.
Thank you for walking with us as we advance this vital work together.
