Chaplaincy Care

Click Here to Download the Chaplaincy Care Brochure

Nurturing Mind, Body and Spirit

We strongly believe spiritual care is just as vital as the first-rate education, therapy and residential care we provide at the Anne Carlsen Center’s Jamestown Campus. It’s one of the many reasons why our Chaplaincy Care Program is a crucial component of life at ACC.

Under the Chaplaincy Care Program, we have established a weekly chapel service filled with music, intriguing puppets or acted-out characters, and is our way to share in God’s promises and love in fun, interactive ways. Through regular chapel services, pastoral visits and a “ministry of presence,” our Chaplain helps nurture the seeds of faith, hope and love – as we remind others of God’s love and encourage everyone to “Grow in God.”

A Hands on Holistic Approach

In addition to a weekly chapel service, our Chaplain engages our students in worship as part of a chapel guild. ACC students and residents serve as greeters by handing out bulletins, as acolytes by “lighting” the battery-operated altar candles, as bell ringers, and by being leaders in prayer.

Our individuals are also encouraged to worship within the community where our Chaplain helps ease the transition for students and congregations.

When school is out, the summer Vacation Bible School program is a highlight of the year for many of our residents, offering memorable experiences participating in a traditional, fun-filled Bible School program each summer.

The Chaplaincy Care Program has provided students with opportunities to become more involved in, and connected to, a church family. We are truly blessed at ACC by our Chaplain, who encourages diversity in our students and who provides spiritual nourishment to all those we serve, in all stages of life.

Palliative Care

Some days at ACC are filled with laughter amidst the learning. Other days see fragile medical conditions and death, which are difficult and draining for the entire Center. Our Chaplain helps our residents, their families, and staff joyfully embrace living the life God has blessed them while also dealing with loss.

TLC+, the palliative care program at the Center, seeks to ensure the highest quality of life possible for individuals with life-limiting illnesses or conditions. The program encourages each individual’s involvement in life-enriching experiences as much as possible and provides an array of support for family members and caregivers.

When needed, TLC+ may include the management of pain and other distressing symptoms, the provision of respite care, and support in times of death and bereavement.

Faith and Service

At ACC, we believe every person deserves to experience the richness of life, lived to its fullest potential. Daily, we strive to give the one-of-a-kind individuals we serve the opportunity to dream, the chance to succeed and the ability to embrace life-changing experiences.

We accomplish this by offering more than first-rate education, therapy and residential care. Thanks to the Chaplaincy Care Program, we have achieved a vital component of our holistic care in the form of spiritual nourishment. This program touches lives and empowers us as we stand by our mission of existing to make the world a more inclusive place where independence is a gift to all.

Meet the Chaplain

Reverend Ethelind S. Holt, or “Lindy” as she likes to be called, joined the Anne Carlsen Center as Chaplain in June 2011. Holt, an ordained United Church of Christ Pastor, brings more than a dozen years of Church experience to the Center. She comes to ACC as a former pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Mayville. Holt also carries chaplaincy experience in many different areas in hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes; including being the chaplain to residents and staff members at Luther Memorial Nursing Home.

Lindy’s resume includes working as a camp counselor, a parish pastor, and also overseeing six school-based mentoring programs which included working with children, youth and young adults. Holt is the Disaster Ministries Coordinator for the Northern Plains Conference UCC where she coordinates assistance for people suffering from disaster-oriented stress and loss.

Chaplain Holt will be responsible for overseeing all Chaplaincy Care components within the Center on the Jamestown Campus, as well as being a crucial part in every faith-based experience.

To read more about Chaplain Holt’s experiences and her position at the ACC click here

Chaplaincy Care Components

Confirmation — Students have the option of being confirmed at the Anne Carlsen Center by the Chaplain (after completing four- to six-week class), or through St. James Basilica in Jamestown.

Eucharist — Students have the opportunity to participate in different religious services monthly. A Holy Communion Protestant service, led by the Chaplain, is held on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. A Roman Catholic Mass is held on the last Friday of the month at 4 p.m. and is led by a priest from St. James Basilica.

KidSabbath — These fun and engaging sessions held on the Anne Carlsen Center campus, on the first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m., engage students in faith stories of the season and give them the opportunity to take part in fun craft projects.

Vacation Bible School — Taking place throughout the summer during the extended school year, this program is an informal gathering with stories, singing and arts and crafts time all while taking place at the Center’s campus.