What do Prayer Chaplains Do?

• Prayer Chaplains are here to hold Sacred Space; to listen to you; to pray with and for you for your highest good. Everything you share with us is in strict confidence.
• Prayer Chaplains also make "Wellness Calls" to members of the congregation who have requested to be called once a month, and try to visit members when they are home-bound or in the hospital and unable to come to Sunday service.
• If you'd like to reach one of the Prayer Chaplains, please phone the Chaplain Line at (541) 345-9913 x8. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

Who is my Prayer Chaplain?

• Your Prayer Chaplain will be assigned in November 2008 and will call and introduce themselves to you.

May I choose my Prayer Chaplain?

• Your Prayer Chaplain was randomly assigned according to the alphabet, with each Chaplain receiving approximately the same number of members to contact. If there is a reason you prefer to have or not have a particular Prayer Chaplain, please phone the Chaplain Line at 345-9913 x8 and we will try and help you.

 How many Prayer Chaplains are there?

• As of Fall 2008, we have seven Prayer Chaplains at Unity of the Valley.  At least two (and often more) of the Chaplains are available after every Sunday morning service, at various locations around the Sanctuary, for those who would like one-on-one prayer.

If I call during the week, how often is the Chaplain Line checked for messages?  When can I expect a return call?

• The Chaplain Line, (541) 345-9913 x8, is checked daily. In general your Prayer Chaplain should be able to get back to you within a day or two. Since all Prayer Chaplains are volunteers and will have their own busy lives as well, it may be up to a few days before you hear back. If your Prayer Chaplain is out of town, the Chaplain Coordinator will return your call. Please remember that the Chaplain Line is not a crisis line, nor a place where you should expect to leave messages of a critical or immediate nature.  If you have an emergency, we invite you to call the church office at 345-9913 x5.

When will my Prayer Chaplain be in touch?

• Each of the Prayer Chaplains sets his or her own calling schedule, usually two to three days a month. All of the wellness calls from a Prayer Chaplain are made from the church. At specific times, a Prayer Chaplain may call you for your "wellness calls" varies by Chaplain and may vary month to month. It is our intention to make some contact (by phone, by leaving a message, by a personal home-bound or hospital-room visit, or by writing a brief note) at least once every month.

If my Prayer Chaplain only calls a day or two a month, can I phone them at home for a specific prayer request?

• Please do not call your Chaplain at home or work. Use the Chaplain Line at 345-9913 x8 in order to get in touch with them, so that we can be of best service to you. Our Prayer Chaplains are volunteers in service to the Unity community. Their private home or cell numbers are not the appropriate way to get in touch with your Prayer Chaplain.

What if I need prayer immediately instead of waiting for my Prayer Chaplain to call me again?
If you would like a call or contact about a pressing matter of prayer you may:

• Phone the Church Office at 345-9913 and speak to Rev. Ed;
• Call Silent Unity at (800) 669-7729;
• Call Our Dial-a- Prayer line at 345-9913 x7 for a recorded reading;
• Leave a message on our Chaplain Line at 345-9913 x8.

Will my Prayer Chaplain be able to help me solve my problems, too?

• We are not here to judge you, to advise or counsel you, nor to solve your problems with or for you. We are here to share in the blessings and challenges of your life, in compassion and in joy. Praying with a Prayer Chaplain can help to deepen your prayer life, help you tap into the resources within you, and connect with God in a real and practical way.

Are there limitations as to what I can ask to be prayed about?

•   There is nothing too small nor too large to share with your Prayer Chaplain for a quiet moment of blessing or peace in Spirit. Remember that our Chaplains are not a problem-solving agency or a chat service, but we are genuinely interested in hearing about what's going on in your life and how your personal spiritual adventures are evolving.

 I really appreciate my Prayer Chaplain. May I take him / her to lunch?

•    It is probably not appropriate for you to take your Prayer Chaplain to lunch, but we encourage you to feel free to visit with them during our weekly fellowship time after Sunday service. This is not only a perfect time for you to visit with your Prayer Chaplain, but to meet other members and Chaplains, too and ask any questions you may have about the Chaplaincy Program at Unity of the Valley.

I would like to consider becoming a Prayer Chaplain, too.   How does that happen?
In order to become a Prayer Chaplain, you must:

• Be an active current member of Unity of the Valley
• Complete the Unity Way of Life (formerly Foundations) class
• Complete a Prayer workshop
• Be accepted as a candidate to complete the Chaplaincy training
• Complete all requirements of the Chaplaincy Training program
• Agree to serve for a year