Wesley Village Gives Thanks to the Hands that Care for Us

The Blessing of the Hands at Wesley Village is a tradition that began eleven years ago.  It is part of an ongoing effort to address the spiritual needs of the staff, all of whom are engaged in caring for people advancing in age, many of whom have a variety of physical and emotional needs. The work is constant and often emotionally and spiritually draining.

The Blessing of the Hands is a series of events, to accommodate everyone on staff. In all of them the leader shares thoughts about the ‘work of our hands’ (housekeeping, maintenance, nursing, bookkeeping, administering etc). The reflections call attention to the reality that no one person or department is more or less needed. Only a team effort allows Wesley Village to deliver quality care and service. The ‘hands’ of others on the staff enable everyone’s task! At the end of the reflections, the leader puts oil on the hands of the person next to her/him, sharing words of appreciation for the work that person performs. That person repeats the process with the next person, who continues to ‘pass the blessing’ until all have shared in the act of acknowledging another person’s work.

It has grown in popularity over the years, both in numbers attending, and in the people in those numbers.   Responding to specific request, this staff renewal has grown to include residents, resident’s family members and friends.   It has also moved beyond Wesley Village borders and is now observed at other United Methodist Homes communities, of which Wesley Village is part.