Pastoral Care
I have completed four units – over 1600 hours of CPE – Clinical Pastoral Education. I offer both 1:1 and small group processes to help people grow more resilient. I have in-depth hospital, clinic, and community based advanced pastoral care experiences where I offer integrating spiritual, psychological, and emotional care in real-life crisis setting. I have extensive experience in pastoral care related to reproductive health, and death by suicide.
My pastoral covenant guides me:
To Be And Always Be
To Be In The ‘Here And Now.’
To Listen In A Healing Way
To Commune First Before Engaging In Analysis And Intervention
To Honor One’s Sacred Time And Space
To Value The Birthing Of One’s Story
To Respect One’s Personhood, Including Our Own
To Be Enough And Be Empowered By Our Vulnerabilities
To Be The Healing Touch Of A Wounded Healer
The Warmth Of An Intimate Stranger
The Truth Of Wise Fool
To Be A Companion, Other Times As A Midwife
A Gardener, An Agent Of Hope
Or Someone Who Is Simply Being There For Them
I am active in my community of chaplains I have at Community Care Chaplains. I am working on an additional certification in KINTSUGI RESILIENCE for trauma– nearly complete. I am considering becoming certified in my chaplaincy skills so that I can become a trainer of chaplains.
I have accompanied people through interrupted suicides, death of loved ones by suicide, sexual assault, murder, familicide, parenting challenges, aging, loneliness and more.
I have trained others in ‘All Options Clergy Counseling for Pregnancy’.
Gina Quinn:
During a time when my sister, a Eucharistic Minister, was suffering from an addiction, Rev. Denise comforted me. She strengthened my resolve to help in an appropriate manner and not enable. Rev. Denise’s understanding of the 12 steps and her ministerial pastoral care was invaluable help. We got my sister into the right treatment center.
I regularly attended Tea with Rev. Denise. Our group discussions she led allowed us to continue discussions stimulated by sermon topics, center ourselves through stressful current events and the chance to share deeply about our visions for growth personally and in our church, because she created a safe environment. They helped me stretch.
We discussed topics like inclusive language, the importance of using pronouns and Welcoming Congregation programs like “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” I have gained trust in those setting to share my true feelings. Attending Welcoming Congregation Committee meetings to maintain our pillars is important to me. Rev. Denise’s ministerial support for bringing all diverse people from the margins to the center of our church was refreshing.
