What does it mean that in death, our baptisms are complete? Baptism is a sacrament common to Christian traditions. It is often considered a sacrament of initiation into the Body of Christ and a life of discipleship. But if it is not complete until our deaths, baptism must be more than a rite of initiation. Baptism initiates an active process that allows people of Christian faith to grow intimately closer to God, discovering grace, healing and wholeness over the course of our life journey. How can claiming these baptismal blessings strengthen Christians experiencing suffering and grief? In this project, exploration of this question will be carried out with chaplains who stand with others in the face of suffering, grief, trauma and death. Because of their daily proximity to trauma and grief, chaplains are at risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. To reduce this risk, the chaplain participants will explore their own baptisms as a source of strength and resilience as they provide spiritual care to patients, families and medical staff members of an urban trauma center.
