Laughter and the spirit of love have helped GlenOaks Hospital's female employees get to know each other better during monthly teas offered this year by the Spiritual Life Committee. The Women in Touch teas provide an “oasis in the middle of the day,” said Delora Hagen, GlenOaks chaplain.

Recently, the committee met to evaluate its Women in Touch teas, and concluded they have been a blessing for the hospital’s women, providing fellowship, encouragement, and support through a themed tea-time and light lunch. Women relax, reflect, and interact with one another in a spiritual kind of way through topics such as music, memories, relationships, and freedom. For the topic of mothers, the women interacted trying to correctly match pictures of co-workers with their mothers.

“We offer a break for spiritual, physical, and emotional nourishment—with a little bit of fun,” said Hagen.

“Participants have been appreciative and thankful for this opportunity,” said Char Partlo, a Spiritual Life Committee member, who noted the programs all have a spiritual component. For example, the presentation on humor related to the biblical text, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

Patrice Beal, a nurse in Employee Health Services, acknowledged the success of the program this way:

“I want to share with you how happy I am to be working in a health organization that is committed to supporting its employees. Since I’ve been at GlenOaks, I have been increasingly impressed with the integrity of the AHS organization. They put feet on their mission statement, values, and beliefs—specifically in the spiritual realm. While I have worked at other faith-based hospitals, I have never experienced such a solid commitment of money and staff and programs to be conduits for Divine activity in the lives of the people who walk the halls and occupy the spaces of the organization.

“Specifically, I have personally benefitted from the Women In Touch program. I feel strongly that women who give of themselves in healthcare need a place to connect and nurture each other in order to continue to serve ... and I have long believed that if women can learn to do this for one another, there will be less burn-out, less turnover, and a strong, healthy, enthusiastic staff to provide excellent customer service from the heart ... not from a mandated program.

“I have seen women come back from Women in Touch renewed and serene. I have seen this translated to patients and caring interaction with our customers. Thank you for serving those of us who are serving.”

Hagen brought the idea for Women in Touch teas to the Spiritual Life Committee. “Women need women to nurture one another, and I proposed this venue for women to build relationships with their co-workers. The committee embraced the idea, and all have pitched in to plan the program topics, menus, and décor.”

Suzanne Syputa, another committee member, said, “Employees like the ambiance of the teas, and being away from the hustle and bustle of their workstation.”

According to Pam Yates, another committee member, “The lowered lights, music, and conversation transform you for a while. Women like the chance for fellowship in a different atmosphere and appreciate the opportunity to talk with other employees.”

“It’s nice to see someone in the hall that you met at a tea and now feel that you know them a little better,” said Sophia Apostolopoulos.

Attendees have included clinical and non-clinical staff, volunteers, and corporate visitors. The committee is hopeful participants will share the blessing of the programs by inviting other co-workers to come, or taking turns with their co-workers who haven’t been able to experience the monthly fellowship because they are covering shift duties.

“We relax, and can be more spontaneous during the teas,” said Hagen. “We find we become nicer to each other and that carries back to the workplace.”

Lynn Larson, Adventist Health System Midwest Region Lake Union Herald correspondent