October 16, 2007

Dear faith community leader:

As a spiritual counselor for Hospice of the Calumet Area, I am grateful for every opportunity to join with people of faith in caring for persons with a life limiting illness. I am writing to tell you about an observance whose goal is to strengthen still further the ties between local hospices and faith communities. We call it Hospice Sabbath. As November is National Hospice Month, we have selected November 2-4, 2007, as the primary weekend for this event, although you are welcome to choose another date in November (or another time of year) if that would be more convenient.

During your HOSPICE SABBATH observance, we ask that you pray for those who face a life-limiting illness, the families who care for them, and the health care professionals who serve them. For our part, we can provide resources that will support your congregation in this ministry of prayer. Please see the enclosed information which you may copy and include with your worship bulletin or newsletter. For your convenience, we also offer these materials in  PDF that you can download from our website: www.hospicecalumet.org.

In addition, we have trained staff who can come to your worship service and tell the hospice story in about five minutes. These people are enthusiastic about their work and will be eager to share their hospice experience with you.

We hope you will join us as we observe Hospice Sabbath. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or wish to schedule a speaker. You may reach us at either 219-922-2732 or 708-895-8332.

We look forward to our continued partnership with you in providing quality end-of-life care.

Sincerely,

Chaplain

Hospice of the Calumet Area