Community

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. chaplains practiced telechaplaincy. Since then, telechaplaincy has grown rapidly and is increasingly used throughout the world. It poses unique challenges and opportunities that require new skills to master.

However, there are few resources for chaplains to learn and improve their work, and chaplains and providers regularly request training to implement or improve telechaplaincy.

To meet this need, the Telechaplaincy Community of Practice, an international group of healthcare chaplains and researchers hosted by the Transforming Chaplaincy Initiative and the University of Zürich, was founded.

The Community of Practice meets regularly via Zoom to

  • Network with other spiritual care providers, managers and researchers
  • Exchange best practices
  • Acquire and practice practical telechaplaincy skills

Next meeting: Integrating Virtual Spiritual Care Across the Cancer Care Continuum

November 21, 2025, 12-1 PM ET (6-7 PM CEST)

Spiritual care for outpatients with cancer spans a wide and deeply personal journey—from testing and diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end of life. Yet many of these individuals spend little time within hospital walls, making connection and continuity of care a growing challenge. Virtual tools now offer chaplains new ways to meet care recipients where they are—both physically and spiritually.

This webinar will explore how Houston Methodist’s Neal Cancer Center developed and implemented an integrated virtual spiritual care program within its outpatient oncology clinics. Using the tools embedded in the EPIC electronic medical record (EMR) system, the program created ways to integrate spiritual care into the scheduling, referrals, documentation, and communication processes of the clinic and allows for ongoing connection with care recipients across the continuum of care.

Participants will:

  • Understand the key processes involved in designing and implementing a virtual spiritual care model in an outpatient context.
  • Identify effective ways to use digital and EMR-integrated platforms for screening, communication, and ongoing care.
  • Explore creative approaches for providing spiritual and emotional support through virtual modalities.

Rev. James Adams, Senior Chaplain with the Neal Cancer Center, will guide participants through the development of this program, highlighting practical strategies and lessons learned along the way. He will also describe innovative uses of EMR-integrated messaging and video platforms for spiritual screening, text-based care, and creative digital interventions.

 
For past meetings, visit “events”.

Participate.

If you would like to join the next meeting, sign up here. 

We currently meet several times per year. 

The meetings are free of charge and you may opt out at any time.

Once signed up you will be notified when the next meeting is scheduled, and receive a Zoom link to join.

To access previous meetings, visit “Events“.

* indicates required
Preferred language *

Join the Telechaplaincy Community of Practice

An international group of telechaplaincy practitioners and researchers hosted by Transforming Chaplaincy and the University of Zürich.

Participation is free.

Learn more
No thanks.