The Chaplaincy Program at Virginia Lutheran Homes is an essential part of our holistic approach to resident care and comfort. Through the program, we offer the services of a full-time chaplain, Pastor Bob Ward, to residents and their families. Pastor Ward is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves under a Letter of Call of the Synod Council of the Virginia Synod, ELCA.

• At Brandon Oaks and the Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, chaplaincy services include worship, Holy Communion, hospital visits, Bible study, prayer gatherings, help with end-of-life issues and grief counseling. The chaplain works with other Brandon Oaks professionals on interdisciplinary teams to meet the full range of resident needs. He also stays in touch with local clergy to keep them up to date on church members who live at Brandon Oaks.
• At Luther Manor, the chaplaincy program reaches out to residents on a monthly basis, with an evening worship service and Holy Communion, morning Bible study and personal meetings with the chaplain.
• The program is a monthly presence at Luther Crest as well, with a morning Bible study and one-on-one meetings with the chaplain. Regular worship services are provided by local Lutheran clergy.

The seminary internship program
Brandon Oaks is also involved in training future pastors and chaplains. Each year, a third-year student from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary serves in a joint internship program between Brandon Oaks and Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia. As an intern site, Brandon Oaks provides a unique and in-depth ministry experience to those preparing for a life of pastoral service.

Our dream for the future . . . . . . is a fully endowed Chaplaincy Program to serve the residents of Brandon Oaks, Luther Manor and Luther Crest. If you’d like to help with a gift to the Chaplaincy Endowment Fund, please contact us.