A sacred space where patients, their loved ones and the hospital’s caregiving staff can pause and reflect will open this fall, thanks to a partnership between generous community members, the Ashland Community Hospital Foundation and Asante. The Asante Ashland Community Hospital Chapel will provide a quiet place within the hospital where people can grieve losses, celebrate births and learn about faith traditions.

Asante Ashland chaplain Rev. Pandora Canton led a dedication ceremony for The Chapel during Spiritual Care Week, which was October 17-22.  Rev. Canton envisions a living, breathing chapel that offers a prayer request book, monthly tributes for loved ones who have died, drop-in meditation/contemplation sessions for staff and celebrations of each faith tradition’s high holidays. After much planning and preparation, she is excited to see this dream supported by the community finally become a reality with open doors, welcoming those of any faith or spiritual practice.

Special thanks to Julie Raefield of the Ashland Daily Tidings for covering this story.