Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - St. Luke Lutheran Church

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) – usually a three-month stint at a hospital, retirement center, prison, or anywhere that employs a chaplain – is a required piece of seminary training in our denomination. Pr. Taran did his CPE at Sacred Heart Hospital years ago during his seminary training. This past winter Pr. Jim received an email from a Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS in Berkley, CA) student asking if we would be able to provide housing for the summer as she was accepted to the CPE program at Sacred Heart Hospital. Stefanie Reinke (our Love Thy Neighbor Coordinator) worked to find a small furnished apartment a mile from the hospital that St. Luke paid for out of our seminarian fund to house Jihong for the summer. Members of the congregation who live on the South Hill brought her to church every week, others helped get her settled. One provided her a bicycle to commute. She has been very grateful and wanted to share her gratitude with you all. Below is a letter she wrote to thank you.

Dear St. Luke family,

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous financial support of my chaplain internship at Sacred Heart Medical Center and for the gracious hospitality that sustained me throughout these three months. I cannot believe that my CPE training has now come to an end. Your generosity gave me not only practical support, but also a home away from home and a community of care that helped me carry out the demanding work of hospital ministry with greater peace, focus, and strength.

Having a place to stay within walking distance of the hospital, receiving rides to Sunday worship, and being welcomed each week with fresh, home-grown vegetables were simple and meaningful expressions of your care. I especially treasured being with you each Sunday. Singing together, hearing Scripture read, listening to the sermon, praying together, and greeting one another with a warm smile nourished our common faith and enriched my own spiritual life. These Sundays became a place of renewal and encouragement during my chaplaincy.

I will carry your generosity, hospitality, and the warmth of your community with me as I continue my seminary journey toward ordained ministry. I will truly miss you all and the joy and fellowship we shared this summer.With deep gratitude and blessings,

Jihong