The Sacred Art of Presence: How ECS Chaplains Honor Life's Most Difficult Moments

In the quiet corridors of hospitals and hospice centers, where families face their deepest fears and most profound grief, ECS chaplains practice an ancient art—the ministry of presence. It's work that extends far beyond hospital walls, touching lives in moments when words feel inadequate and only compassionate listening can bridge the gap between despair and hope.

This sacred calling was beautifully embodied by Susan Richey, a former nurse who discovered her true vocation through Clinical Pastoral Education with Rev. Lincoln Ure more than 25 years ago. As her husband Dale remembered, Susan "loved it and was energized by the learning." She went on to serve as a full-time hospice chaplain, dedicating her life to walking alongside families in their most vulnerable moments.

When Susan passed away recently, her memorial service became a testament to the transformative power of chaplaincy training. Rev. Nancy Cormack-Hughes spoke at the service, where attendees reflected on how beautifully the ceremony captured "the emphasis of how much the program filled her life." Dale honored Susan's passion by requesting memorial donations be made to the Lincoln Ure Educational Fund, ensuring her legacy would continue through future chaplains.

Susan's story represents thousands of lives touched by ECS's commitment to spiritual care education. But perhaps even more significant is how current ECS chaplains continue this legacy daily, providing comfort and guidance when families face the unthinkable.

When Words Fail, Presence Speaks

The power of chaplain care becomes most evident in life's most challenging moments. At Ogden Regional Medical Center, this truth unfolded in a particularly poignant way when a young woman with a terminal diagnosis refused to discuss her end-of-life wishes with anyone—including her devastated family.

"She would not discuss this with ANYONE," recalled her cousin, a nurse at ORMC. "She became upset whenever anyone even tried to broach the subject. She was in denial that she was dying and felt like God was going to perform a miracle and save her."

For months, the family struggled with this silence. They desperately wanted to honor their loved one's wishes but had no way of knowing what those wishes were. The situation seemed impossible—until ECS Chaplain Manager, Rev. Jon Draskovic, intervened.

When Jon noticed the nurse's distress during one of her cousin's hospitalizations, he took time to listen. After hearing about the family's struggle, he approached the patient with the gentle wisdom that only comes from years of training in spiritual care.

That evening, the family received a text that changed everything: "The pastor asked all the perfect questions that we were wanting to have him ask and I think she was finally ready to answer some. He has a gentle way and sympathetic way of speaking to her. We now know a few songs she might like at her funeral…miracles."

The young woman passed away exactly one month later. She never had another conversation about her funeral with anyone—but that single conversation with Jon had given her family the precious gift of knowing how to honor her memory.

"The ability that Jon had to talk to her cannot be overstated," the nurse reflected. "My extreme thankfulness cannot express my gratitude. The chaplain plays an integral part in the care of patients and their families, especially at the end of life."

Beyond Hospital Walls

This ministry of presence extends throughout ECS's network of care—from senior living facilities to hospital intensive care units. Whether supporting families at St. Mark's Hospital, providing bereavement care at senior living communities, or offering comfort during memorial services, ECS chaplains understand that spiritual care doesn't end when medical treatment does.

The recent memorial service for a Millcreek resident exemplifies this ongoing commitment. ECS Senior Living Chaplain Manager, Rev. Barbara Novak, continues to support families through grief, ensuring that the sacred transition from life to death for those living in long-term care is honored with dignity and compassion.

As families across Utah and beyond navigate loss, grief, and the complex emotions surrounding end-of-life care, ECS multifaith chaplains stand ready to offer what medicine alone cannot provide: the assurance that no one faces life's most difficult moments alone.

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, this ministry of presence remains a powerful reminder that true healing—the kind that touches the soul—still happens one conversation, one moment of compassion, one sacred encounter at a time.

Episcopal Community Services is one of the largest employers of professional chaplains in Utah. For more information, contact ECS of Utah at 866-970-8434.