Friendsgiving: Chaplain Celebrates Spiritual Life Volunteers

A special type of family gathers around a Thanksgiving feast. Residents, team members, pastors and singers. Different walks of life. Different stories. Same mission.

To the Summit Chaplain Jacob Palma, they are critical extension of the spiritual life program. And that commitment to God and others makes them family.

Palma, with help from Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation, hosted a Friendsgiving Celebration — complete with all the trimmings and special gifts — to thank the volunteers that support The Summit’s spiritual life activities.

“My goal was not only to enjoy amazing food from our dining team, but also to engage in further fellowship with our community,” Palma said. “We have such great involvement from the community offering spiritual care to the residents so we wanted to just say thank you.”

The Friendsgiving theme fit perfectly. “I put the name Friendsgiving on it because we are a tight-knit community,” Palma said.

Jodi Leonard, Vice President of VBH Foundation, was pleased to celebrate the people that support the spiritual life programs at The Summit.

“It was just nice to be in community with all the folks that are doing the work as volunteers because this is their passion,” she said. “Jacob is doing a great job of bringing that together.”

Each month, Palma, local pastors, lay ministers and choirs offer their talents for Bible studies and on-campus chapel services.

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you and strengthen those relationships that we have at The Summit and in Lynchburg,” Palma said.

Palma, who supports both Independent and Assisted Living residents, said the luncheon also brings awareness to the many programs on campus.

“We’re not always in the same room together,” Palma said. “I’m not a one-man show. It’s a team effort with residents and team members being a part of that.”

Palma said The Summit Choir is planning a performance at Assisted Living with carols and hymns. “We’re always wanting to connect with our friends next door and foster a huge family on campus.”