Holy wings uplifting ACCC

A spiritual presence is hovering over Anne Carlsen Center for Children.

Pastor JoAnne Moeller shares a few minutes with Jade following one chapel service. She ministers to children and their families and staff in her role as ACCC’s chaplain.

"It’s good to have a chaplain around, " says Pastor JoAnne Moeller, who has been filling that role on a part-time basis at ACCC for nearly two years.

Prior to that, ACCC was receiving chaplain support from a local minister for about 10 hours per month.

But after a string of student deaths - five in the matter of just a few months - Chief Operating Officer Marcia Gums began to feel a void over the Center. "Everyone seemed to be lost, " she said. "Pastor Steve (Berntson) did a wonderful job, but 10 hours a month just wasn’t enough to fill that void. "

Also, she said, there was a recognition that in order to provide a true wholistic program, ACCC needed to provide a spiritual element to the programming it provides.

So she convinced CEO Dan Howell and the board to add a part-time, 20-hour per week chaplain to the staff.

Moeller, an ordained Lutheran minister, provides non-denominational services to the children and staff. "With her presence here she solidifies that, yes, we need that spiritual component in our lives and she wraps that around us, " said Gums.

She ministers as much to the staff as to the children. "Staff are constantly caring for the kids, " said Gums. "She cares for the caregiver. "

Moeller says her ministry is very different from her previous work in congregational settings.

Moeller sees herself becoming more of a storyteller, often getting into character to share God’s word in fun, interactive ways.

She has been a train conductor on the Gospel Train for a summer Vacation Bible School program and "Reada Reddy, " a guest storyteller at weekly chapel services. "I’ve learned that being a storyteller, while stretching my comfort zone, is one of the best ways for me to bring the message of God’s presence and love to the kids. "

Music is also an integral part of her ministry. "It’s a challenge to learn each child’s language, " she said, "but through music we often connect. "

This past Christmas Eve, Moeller held a service for children and their families and staff. She shared the Christmas story and they sang carols. At the last second, she decided to go around and serenade all the children there. The response of two of them, both of whom are non-verbal, helped affirm the benefits of her role at ACCC.

"I won’t forget Jade’s face when I sang to her. She just lit up. And Matt took my hand and wouldn’t let go…It’s those types of reactions that warm my heart and make my spirit dance, " she said.

Children participate in weekly chapel service in a variety roles. Matthew was recently the bell ringer.

As this issue was preparing for print, Matthew passed away. He is now ringing bells at heaven’s gate and will be missed at ACCC.

Last Fall, two of ACCC’s residents died and Moeller was called to help staff and families and residents through the difficult time.

Memorial services held at ACCC for both children provided a time for remembering and honoring them as well as caring for one another in grief.

Moeller spent four days with Hailey prior to her death. And even though Hailey had a hearing impairment, Moeller said she seemed comforted by songs. "I know that being there for her was very much what this program is about. "

After Hailey’s death, family expressed their gratitude to Moeller for the compassion and peace she offered them as well.

A weekly chapel service is the core component of Moeller's program and she continues to build on it with a lengthy to-do list that includes the development of a hospice-type care program to help care for residents’ as they are dying.

She is developing a staff training on spirituality to incorporate into ACCC’s new employee orientation.

And she has dreams of creating a designated chapel space or a secluded prayer area at the Center.

Gums and Moeller both say that 20 hours a week is not enough time to meet the needs of staff and residents and hope to be able to increase the amount of time and money dedicated to the chaplain program.

Because the program is not reimbursable through ACCC’s primary funding sources, it relies on donors to help support the program.

"We received tremendous support from our Thanksgiving appeal, " said ACCC Foundation Executive Director Kevin Cooper, "for the chaplain program. "

"Our donors value the spiritual nurturing Pastor JoAnne provides and feel it is as important as medical care and education. We have faith that their support will continue to help us grow this program. "