FOR the first time since Orange hospital opened in 2011 religious representatives will be available in the prayer room at the hospital to provide support if needed for patients, family members or staff.
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Christian Silvia Mazeriegos is volunteering her services every Wednesday morning at the chapel where she will lead reflective non-denominational sessions.
“Everyone of all denominations and people who aren’t religious are all welcome,” she said.
“There are times in our lives when we need encouragement, our faith needs nurturing and our souls need the comfort of praying,” she said.
“People can stay for a couple of minutes or as long as they feel the need to,” she said.
The hospital has also arranged for Buddhist chaplin Jeanne Chung to be available on request at the prayer room for patients, and their families.
Although Ms Mazeriegos is a Christian she said the atmosphere of the prayer room is designed for anyone who feels they need to be in a religious or spiritual space with soft lighting and background inspirational music.
Ms Mazeriegos from the Christian Ministry Centre will be available at the prayer room on Wednesday’s from 10am to noon and she is hoping the service offered will grow.
“We are hoping other churches will also volunteer their services down the track for the prayer room,” she said.
The prayer room at the hospital has retained many of the elements of the former chapel at Orange Base Hospital.
The magnificent stained glass windows made by Adrian Immens were incorporated into the design of the hospital, not only in the prayer room but also in the main corridor of the ground floor leading to the room.
Orange Health Service director of nursing Sue Patterson said the provision of the new services is important to ensure patients, families and staff have a quiet, accessible and safe place to go at the hospital in their time of need.
“The goal of the health service is not just to provide physical care, but also to make available spiritual care which can assist greatly in the healing and recovery process,” she said.