September 2, 2008 – DBS Chaplaincy Care is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Linda M. Lighthall as Chaplain serving the needs of the Ramsey Village and the general Des Moines area. Ramsey Village, a Des Moines senior living community, has been without a Chaplain since 2005, when ownership changed from the National Benevolent Association to Brookdale Senior Living. The DBS Chaplaincy Care program is in direct response to the requests of senior adults who live in centers that provide no chaplaincy services for its residents. Approximately 139 senior adults live at the Ramsey Village and an additional 150 staff are there to serve them. As DBS Chaplain, Lighthall will be available to provide pastoral care for residents and staff of Ramsey Village and the community at large.
The DBS Chaplain is available to offer pastoral care for persons of different religious needs or for those who profess no faith. All costs of the program are borne by DBS – individuals and administrators can be assured that they will never be charged for the DBS Chaplaincy Care services.
“It is our privilege to be able to respond to the spiritual needs of senior adults by providing the Chaplaincy Care program in the Des Moines area, especially at Ramsey Village. It is through our partnership with the Upper Midwest Region and the generosity of our past and current supporters that we can offer this ministry at no cost to the recipients,” said Dennis Hagemann, DBS President and CEO.
Lighthall, is a Des Moines resident and ordained Disciples of Christ minister. She has a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Minnesota. Her previous experiences includes serving as NBA Ramsey Home chaplain from 1994 through 2002.
“I’m delighted that Linda was chosen for the position of Chaplain for Ramsey Village, and I’m excited about the possibilities for expanding the responsibilities of the position throughout the greater Des Moines community…perhaps throughout the Region.
“Her previous experience in this position and her genuine love and compassion for people, especially older adults, makes her well-suited to meet the needs of those persons she will be serving. She will truly continue to be a blessing to all of us,” said Rev. Don Hiscox, Associate Regional Minister of the Christian Church of the Upper Midwest
Chaplaincy Care, a program of DBS Senior Care Ministries, was first introduced earlier this year in Jacksonville, Ill., at Barton W. Stone Home. The program has been enthusiastically received and it is anticipated that a second chaplain will be added to that area later this year.
Headquartered in Maryland Heights, Mo., Disciples Benevolent Services (National Benevolent Association) is the 121 year-old social and health services general unit of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Offering received Sept. 26 & Oct. 3