From 18 to 24 October, staff across Nazareth Hospital will take part in the global Spiritual Care Week, a dedicated programme designed to encourage, strengthen and support those who spend their lives bringing healing and hope to others. Under the global theme, Healing through Presence and Grace, the week recognises that compassionate healthcare extends beyond medical treatment alone. It also embraces the pastoral, emotional and spiritual care that sustains both patients and caregivers through life’s most challenging moments.

For healthcare professionals serving in the Galilee, this message carries particular significance. Many staff members face the same uncertainties and pressures experienced by the communities they serve. As they care for those affected by illness, loss and hardship, they too need opportunities to find renewal, encouragement and hope. Spiritual Care Week seeks to create that space.

At the heart of this year’s theme is the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which restores broken pottery by highlighting its cracks with gold rather than concealing them. This powerful image reminds us that our wounds and imperfections do not diminish our worth, but can become part of a story of restoration, growth and renewed purpose. It resonates with the biblical promise that God seeks to “bind up the broken-hearted” (Isaiah 61:1).

Inspired by this image, the hospital will offer a series of resilience and wellbeing workshops, encouraging staff to recognise their strengths, acknowledge their vulnerabilities and discover how they can continue to grow and flourish through life’s challenges. The aim is not simply to overcome difficulties, but to learn how to care for ourselves, find renewed meaning and strength, and extend that same compassion and grace to others.

“We often focus on what we can give to others, but we also need to recognise our own need for care,” explains Spiritual Director Rasha Saba. “Flourishing doesn’t mean having no struggles or weaknesses. It means learning to recognise our vulnerabilities, draw on our strengths and resources, and continue growing so that we can care for ourselves and serve others.”

The Spiritual Care Team also plans to send a letter to each member of staff, reminding them that they are loved and valued. In reality, Spiritual Care Week takes staff back to the values that make the Nazareth Trust a movement that understands holistic care. It starts with the way in which staff value each other primarily as people in whom God is at work, and secondly as colleagues.

“Staff will receive a card,” explains Rasha. “It’s easy to pass each other quickly without pausing to share the kindness that we probably feel in our hearts for others.” Rasha continues, “The card we give out is a reminder for staff to notice and express the outstanding qualities they see in each other.”

There are various ways that staff can do this. For example, gratitude boards will be placed around the hospital, inviting colleagues to express appreciation for one another and celebrate the unseen acts of kindness that sustain working life.

Three workshops will further explore themes of resilience, faith and wellbeing. One will focus on the power of imperfection, reflecting on how God’s strength is often revealed through human weakness. Another will introduce art therapy techniques used at the Maana Centre, enabling staff to experience creative practices normally offered to patients facing psychological challenges.

Rasha reflects on the words of the Apostle Paul, who describes us as “jars of clay” carrying a precious treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7). Our human fragility does not take away from the value of what we carry. Rather, it reminds us that God’s strength and grace can be revealed even in our weakness.

Spiritual Care Week celebrates the beauty of broken treasures, recognising that those who bring healing to others are themselves worthy of care, encouragement and grace. In doing so, it affirms a simple but profound truth: when caregivers are nurtured in hope, they are better equipped to share hope with the world around them.

As the global community supporting the Nazareth Trust, please pray for Rasha and everyone involved in Spiritual Care Week. Pray that God would continue to mend broken treasures in Nazareth.