Christian Health Care Center is a Christian organization. It’s right there in our name and mission statement, which begins with a pledge “to provide skilled nursing care with compassion and love in Christ’s name.”
To that end, CHCC recognizes the importance of spirituality in daily life and in the overall well-being of many of our residents. In our aim to provide a comprehensive range of spiritual services, we employ a chaplain and work with religious leaders and laypeople from various denominations in the Lynden community.
But what does that mean for people who are not Christians? If you are Jewish, for example, or do not believe in any sort of higher power at all, could you still receive long-term care and therapeutic rehabilitation services at our Lynden health care center? What would be your experience here?
People ask these questions occasionally. They know that CHCC’s reputation is to deliver a high level of care, but they are curious about how religious it might be. A few thoughts on the topic of religion at CHCC:
Yes, you can receive therapies and long-term care at CHCC if you are not a Christian. Health care services at our Whatcom County nursing home are open to all people, regardless of their faith. We do not discriminate against anyone’s religious beliefs, and we work to accommodate personal preferences.
Care is based on compassion and personal choice. The Christian principles on which CHCC was founded and under which it still operates guide how we approach all who receive care here: with kindness and compassion. Opportunities abound for personal choice, including food selection and whether or not one chooses to participate in activities, such as art classes, social outings and faith-based events.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, living in a long-term care center that is filled with care, compassion and love is a good thing. Since 1956, thousands of people of a variety of faiths have had positive experiences and felt welcomed and included at CHCC.
Religious services are offered and available if desired. Prayers are by choice and by request, and there are no religious messages in the dining room during meals or daily prayers over the intercom. Residents are free to accept or decline visits from the chaplain at any time. A number of faith-based opportunities are available throughout the week (view the schedule here), but they are completely optional; everyone receiving care at CHCC can choose whether to participate. Examples of available religious activities include hymn sings, Bible studies, Scripture readings and communion.
If you are not religious but want to talk with someone about matters related to life, death and everything in between, we are here for you. Our chaplain is available to those looking for comfort, compassion, counsel and prayer, regardless of faith, and our team members are great conversationalists. If you are receiving care at CHCC and just want to chat, please feel free to reach out.
If you have any questions about spiritual support at CHCC, please call 360-354-4434 and ask to speak with our chaplain, Josh Friesen.