VISITING THE HOSPITAL
The
mission of the Spiritual Care Department is to promote healing by
providing interfaith spiritual support for patients, families, staff
and physicians. We provide emotional and spiritual care through
conversation, prayer, religious rituals, observances and religious
literature. We strive to provide a transforming calm presence
while fostering a healing spirit throughout the hospital community.
As members of your children’s care team, our chaplains are uniquely
trained and qualified to provide emotional and spiritual support for
your family in a hospital setting. They are board certified and
specialize in pediatric chaplaincy.
Chaplains are available at Texas
Children’s 24 hours a day. Chaplains may be reached by speaking with your child’s nurse or by
calling 832-824-7223 during normal business hours. Spiritual Care volunteers also are available
through The Auxiliary to Texas Children’s.
 The
Children's Chapel at Texas Children’s Hospital provides a unique
retreat for families, patients and staff to pray, meditate, attend
religious services or simply be alone with their thoughts. It is
located near The Auxiliary Bridge on the 3rd floor of the West
Tower, directly across from the admitting offices.
The Children’s
Chapel is open to the diverse faiths and cultures of those who come
to Texas Children's. It has no permanent altar or religious
artifact. Religious symbols may be brought into the Chapel for
faith-specific services.
The child-friendly,
interfaith Chapel was designed with help from young patients and
their families. Children drew pictures and wrote essays about their
ideas of what a chapel should be. The concept of using an oval for
its design was introduced in a drawing by the sisters of a Texas
Children's patient.
Applying nature and
light as its central feature, the Children’s Chapel evokes a sense
of spirituality for all faiths. Its shape represents wholeness, the
infinite love of God, eternity, timelessness and inclusiveness.
The Chapel
ceiling creates the illusion of a changing sky, moving in a
12-minute cycle from dawn to midday to the twinkle of nighttime
stars. Dawn represents new beginnings, illumination and hope, as
well as birth, rebirth and awakening. The dark night sky suggests
rest, repose and the regathering of strength.
On Sept. 11, 2002, the "Tree of Hope," pictured at left, was
introduced into the Chapel to mark the first anniversary of
terrorist attacks. The tree holds written prayers from Texas Children's families, patients
and staff. Tying prayers to the tree's branches has become a ritual
of hope and healing.
Regular services are scheduled in the Children’s
Chapel and during major holy days. Other services, such as Blessing of the
Hands and Blessing of the (Toy) Animals, are held at various
locations throughout the year.
If you would like to schedule a
visit from a chaplain or religious service, please contact the
Spiritual Care Department at 832-824-7223 or through the Texas
Children's operator..
Schedules of
services and other events are posted outside the Chapel and on
channel 18 of Texas Children's TV.
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The Tree of Hope
