Niamh Brown - Spiritual Care Coordinator, Fairview Seniors Community, Cambridge ON

Music is a vital part of my ministry work at Fairview Seniors Community, where I have been the Spiritual Care Coordinator for four years. Throughout my work at Fairview, and especially during the pandemic, music has been a source of connection, reflection, meaningmaking, comfort, and wellness (emotionally, mentally, spiritually and relationally) for the residents. During worship services, hymn sing programs, small group conversations, and one-to-one visits, I incorporate music that is relevant to their needs. I especially integrate music as a source of spiritual support, wellness, and comfort, most importantly in palliative care.

Integrating music into my vocation of spiritual care enhances the care and support that I can offer to residents and their families. Music brings reassurance in times of change or difficulty, or levity and connectedness in times of celebration. Music has also been a source of great fun and enjoyment at Fairview, both throughout our 80-year history, and especially in these past three years of the pandemic, when we’ve found joy through a virtual choir, outdoor hymn sing programs, a music-filled Christmas pageant, a music-centred mindfulness reflection program, and many more musical events and activities. Using my background in music to serve the community where I work is a source of deep meaning, joy, and satisfaction for me personally. It is also meaningful when we can welcome volunteers with musical gifts to share with our residents!

As an undergraduate student and resident at Grebel, I was fortunate to participate in many Music Department courses and ensembles, and also courses and placements through the Church Music and Worship specialization. A Ministry Inquiry Program placement at Parkwood Mennonite Home, facilitated by Grebel, provided me with initial experience with chaplaincy that has grown into a meaningful career and vocation. The skills, background and interest I developed in music at Grebel have been an important foundation for my use of music on a daily basis in my chaplaincy work. My undergraduate studies in Music have provided a meaningful foundation for my graduate studies in Grebel’s MTS program.

by Jen Konkle