Pastor Peggy Mindrebo

Wesley Seminary graciously provided the education I needed for the life of ministry that I am currently living. As a part of my Masters of Divinity degree, I worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, receiving their training in Chaplaincy work. I was also able to gain a Masters Certificate in Spiritual Formation at Northern Seminary under the leadership of Ruth Haley Barton. 

All these pieces came together this spring, providing comfort and competence in the midst of my life and work during Covid 19. My part-time work at Riverview Health as a chaplain felt much more intense during this time. Our family life also took some dramatic turns. I am thankful for the rootedness my experience and education have given me. 

My husband, Norman is an orthopedic surgeon at Riverview Health, in Noblesville. My daughter, Emily is an anesthesiologist at the University of Michigan.  In April, Norman was receiving training to cross cover for physicians managing the Covid positive patients, as they did not know if those physicians would need back-ups. Our daughter, Emily spent her days caring for and intubating Covid positive patients who were flooding down from Detroit. With a 1-year-old at home, her life felt pretty grim. We all would come to our homes and shower before interacting with our families, making sure our clothes were washed thoroughly. These were strange times. 

Our daughter, Emily would call on her drives home from the hospital, and sometimes on the way. I would listen, weep and pray with her. She was doing the work of a physician and a chaplain. We had many conversations where I hope I was a resource for her as she processed the grim reality of being the one connection a dying patient had with their loved ones, via phone. Medical school had not trained her for that. My husband Norman had much less contact as an Orthopedic Surgeon, but still helped feel and carry the weight of the concerns with his hospital. He was quick to volunteer to do hard things. 

My role as a chaplain was deeply impacted by the “no visitation” policy that needed to be implemented. Patients were alone and they were afraid. Nobody wanted to be in the hospital at that time. I didn’t either. It felt stifling to walk in. It felt stifling to try to connect with people behind masks. The opportunities that I had to care for some of their deeper concerns have never been richer.  We had three extra guests in our home during these months. Organizing and coordinating our common life together was also a spiritual practice. 

I took the image provided on Maundy Thursday. I had the privilege of providing communion for the staff and physicians of Riverview Health. It was a moment when denominational barriers came down. Many are deeply rooted in taking communion as a faith practice. They were unable to have that experience with their church, and they accepted our offer to provide communion and prayer for them. As each one trickled in for communion, I provided the elements and asked if they had any particular concerns I could pray about. There were many holy moments. I walked away from that day grateful for the unity we can have in Christ, for the training I have received and for the good gift of education that Wesley Seminary provided me.