Sacred Presence in Public Schools

Session Topic: Chaplaincy Without a Chapel—Bringing Care to the Corridors

🕊️ No Chapel Services, But Sacred Presence Remains

Henry:
So in the military, you have chapel services—that’s just part of the program.
But in schools, there won’t be chapel services. Period.
Still, the concept of creating zones of care in schools deeply connects to military chaplaincy.

Tom:
Even in the military, most people I interacted with didn’t attend religious services,
but chaplaincy still mattered immensely.

From base chapels to school hallways:

• 🕍 In the military: Chapel = sacred space
• 🏫 In schools: Chaplain = sacred presence

👣 Standing on Holy Ground

Tom:
I once dreamed I was giving a speech with no shoes on.
I told the other chaplains about it—and one said:

“That’s because you’re standing on holy ground.”

He said it as a joke, but I took it seriously.

✅ Wherever a chaplain goes becomes sacred space, not because of a building, but because of the presence of care.

🛑 Peace Zones, Not Preach Zones

• Chaplains don’t preach in public school hallways.
• They listen.
• They notice.
• They create space for safety and reflection.

“Sacred space is shaped by care, not architecture.”

💛 Chaplain Care vs. Pastoral Care

Henry:
I’m realizing as we develop this program: there really is such a thing as Chaplain Care.

Tom:
There was a big discussion in the Navy:

• Do chaplains provide pastoral care or simply care?

Some said: “I’m a pastor—so everything I do is pastoral.”
Others said: “Pastoral care is for your church flock. Chaplains care for all.”

💬 Chaplain care is inclusive, nonsectarian, and always grounded in dignity.

✅ Even if I don’t talk about faith in the moment, I’m always ministering from the spiritual center of who I am.
✅ I’m showing people they are seen, valued, and worthy.

🚶‍♂️ Where You Walk—You Bring the Chapel

Tom:
We used to say, “The chaplain takes the chapel with them.”

🧍‍♂️ Hallway Ministry:

• Casual flybys
• A quick “Hey, how are the kids?”
• A fist bump, a sports reference, a nod of recognition

🧠 Memory matters:
A name remembered.
A favorite team recalled.
A moment of seeing someone in a crowded day.

Caution:

Always be mindful of the context.
Don’t interfere with work or class time.
If needed, circle back when it’s appropriate.

Tom:
I once chatted too long in a workspace—and a supervisor said:

“Chaplain, we love it when you come by, but we’ve got work to do.”
I got the message. Respect is part of the care.

👁️‍🗨️ Ministry of Presence in Motion

“I am not… I see you.”

🕊️ Chaplains walk the halls to see, connect, and bring peace—
not to impose, but to be available.

🏫 Hallway Chaplaincy Continued

Session Topic: Cafeteria, Counselors, and the Front Office – Zones of Care

🍽️ The Cafeteria Edge: Sacred Presence at the Table

• Sit beside students, not across from them.
• Ask about their week, their life, and listen.
• Care without agenda.

“Build sacred trust.”

Tom:
People know pretty quickly if you’re talking to them with a hidden agenda.
You can say:

“I’m just interested in learning more about you. This isn’t step 3 of some plan.”

Some students will open up fast. Others will take time.
Either way, let them lead.

🛋️ The Counselor is a Bench: Collaboration Over Competition

Partner with counselors as invited:

• Support students in trauma and grief.
• Be a presence of grounding and grace.

Guidance counselors and chaplains are allies, not competitors.

Tom:
In the military, we had chaplains, mental health professionals, and social workers.
When we respected each other’s roles, we worked best together.

💡 Tip:
When you’re a new chaplain in a school, social workers and counselors may be unsure what you do.
Show them that:

• You respect their role.
• You want to support their work.
• You’re not a threat, but a trusted partner.

Tom:
In Rhoda, Spain, we had monthly no-agenda lunches with the mental health team.
Getting to know each other built strong collaboration later.

🚫 Know Your Limits, Know When to Refer

• Eating disorders? Likely outside your training.
• Grief or hopelessness? Often in your lane as a chaplain.

“Encourage. Affirm. Support. But know when to refer.”

💬 But What About Reporting?

Henry:
In ministry, some of us feel threatened by mental health professionals.
We ask: Why are people going to them and not me?

Tom:
Yes, especially new chaplains who were once solo pastors.
But you learn: people seek who they trust with specific issues.

In the military:

• Chaplains were often the most trusted listeners.
• Why? We were not required to report anything.
• That confidentiality made a huge difference.

✅ In public schools, chaplains must know state and district reporting laws.

• Suicide concerns
• Harm to self or others
  These may require reporting—know the policies well.

🧠 Real Example: Confidential Care

After a tragic accident on a submarine:

• Almost 400 counseling sessions happened over one month.
• Nearly all were with chaplains, not mental health professionals.

Why? Because people knew the chaplain would listen, not report, and would care deeply.

“Grief, hopelessness, soul support—this is the realm of chaplaincy.”

🏛️ The Front Office Conversation: Sacred Stillness in the Command Center

• The front office is like the command suite on a military base.
• These staff members face intense pressure—calls from parents, school board, constant demand.

Tom:
I made a habit of poking my head in daily to say hello.
Sometimes they’d say, “We’re good, chaps!”
Sometimes, it was: “Can you come in and close the door?”

Even administrators need a chaplain.

👋 Walk through during busy times just to show presence.
🕊️ Return during quiet moments to invite conversation.

“It’s a small, no-cost moment… but it gives a glimpse of sacred stillness.”

✅ The more connected you are to front office staff, the more in tune you’ll be with the heartbeat of the school.

🍎 The Teacher Touchpoint & Crisis Care

Session Topic: Staff Support, Crisis Moments, and Sacred Walks

👩‍🏫 Teachers: Ministers of the Classroom

• Teachers are very busy. Check in briefly—especially during prep time.
• A quick “good to see you” and move along unless they invite more.

Listen. Ask. Respect their time.
If they share their faith perspective, you can offer to pray with them (if appropriate).

“Ministers to the ministers of the classroom.”

Henry:
You're the servant to the servants. Teachers aren't called administrators, but they often carry similar loads.
Support them. Affirm them. That’s ministry.

🙌 Don’t Forget the Aides & Staff

• Aides, support staff, janitors, cafeteria workers—everyone matters.
• Affirm the value of their work. They often don’t hear it enough.

“Anytime we give affirmation and support—it’s a win.”

🚨 The Crisis Corner

Even though we hope it’s rare… crisis will come:

• Death of a grandparent
• Divorce
• Exposure to trauma or school violence—even if it’s in the news

Your presence brings calm.
You don’t need to “fix” it. Just be there. Offer peace.

Tom:
After the Oklahoma City bombing, I gave a very short talk at a school.
It wasn’t what I said—it was that I was present, respectful, and calm in a pluralistic space.

🚶‍♂️ The Walking Talk: Ministry on the Move

• Walking with someone reduces stigma compared to sitting down face-to-face.
• It feels casual but invites connection.

“How you doing?”
“Good to see you.”
“Let’s walk.”

No pressure. No spotlight. Just presence.

🙈 Sacred Connection Without Eye Contact

• Eye contact can feel intimidating—especially for students not used to spiritual leaders.
• It can also cause emotional reactions in both chaplain and student.

Tom:
Even adults sometimes say hard things more easily without eye contact.

“When someone’s looking me in the eye, they’re watching how I react.
I don’t want them to react to my reaction. I just want to be present.”

✝️ You Are the Peace Zone

“You carry sacred space wherever you go.”

• Faithfulness + Presence = Holy Ground

“Where two or three are gathered… there am I.” — Matthew 18:20

Even 3–4 seconds of connection:

• A calm breath
• A kind word
• A gentle check-in
  …can give someone the strength to carry on with their day.

🌟 Final Word

“You are the peace zone.”

In a chaotic world, your ministry of presence brings stillness, kindness, and care—
not through sermons, but through sacred steps.