Tribal Messiahship Through Chaplaincy
William Selig, chaplain resident at the Medstar Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Unificationist, is a member of the spiritual care team that provides support to patients, family members and hospital staff. On any given day he visits with patients of various races and faith traditions. It is through this work of loving others that William is able to fulfill True Father’s desire for us to develop our tribal messiahship locally.
“As a Unificationist,” says Chaplain Selig, “I couldn’t ask for a better mission—to practice what True Father calls ‘living for the sake of others.’ I’m called to deal with people who need spiritual support, perhaps before surgery, at the loss of a loved one, or for someone who just needs a hand to hold. A hospital is an amazing place to grow in heart. I feel my faith enhances my sense of empathy, because if I truly believe that each person is in the image of God, then they deserve all the respect and attention I can offer, no matter the color of the skin, their religion, gender, etc.”
Washington Hospital, located about 3 miles from the White House, is the largest hospital in D.C. and serves a very diverse inner-city population. There are 16 chaplains (full-time, residents and interns).
In addition to the routine visits to his assigned units in cardiology and behavioral care, he is responsible to lead morning service once a week and to also serve as the on-call chaplain for a 12-hour shift once a week.
Catholic priests and rabbis are available upon request, although when a patient is experiencing spiritual distress, Chaplain Selig says, most “simply appreciate a warm and nonjudgmental presence, regardless of the chaplain’s faith.”
In times of sickness and death, most people want presence more than rituals. “A few days ago I sat with a mother and daughter. The father had been brought to the hospital for surgery to repair a heart valve, but the patient also suffers from Parkinson’s disease. The doctors told the family that an operation would neither add years nor enhance the quality of life. Essentially they were told to go home and wait for the inevitable. It was a heart-wrenching moment for the family, particularly when we had to tell the patient himself. We held hands and prayed for strength, comfort and assurance. I always pray to Heavenly Parent, which is not such a common term, but people accept it because it makes sense and because it conveys what they need: God’s love,” Chaplain Selig says.
“I’m frequently called to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to be with a family whose loved one is about to have their life support removed. It is a profoundly emotional and traumatic time for the family, but also very sacred. In my prayers with the family I always share about the three stages of life, and that this loved one is transitioning to the spiritual world where what matters will be the love-based relationships we carry with us, and most especially with our Heavenly Parent,” Chaplain Selig says.
“My journey to this point began with the Seonghwa (Ascension) ministry, which follows the teachings of the Unification faith in matters of life after death, taking care of my aging parents, being a hospice volunteer, and then returning to the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS), where I received the doctor of ministry degree in 2012. I did my dissertation on ‘Spiritual Care at the End of Physical Life and the Beginning of Spiritual Life.’”
Chaplain Selig and his wife, Donna, are Unificationists living in Rockville, Maryland. Donna is a hospice volunteer with Montgomery Hospice and a genealogist who specializes in connecting families with their ancestors. Bill and Donna received the Holy Marriage Blessing of the Unification Church on July 1, 1982, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Elio Roman
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This is a wonderful and deep hearted ministry. Thank you for sharing such an inspirational and profound ministry. God bless you and your family. Unfortunately, this is not tribal messiahship. It is chaplain ministry but not tribal messiahship.
Congratulations on your very excellent ministry. God’s blessing be with you, your family and your ministry.
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Mark
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Very inspiring and important work you are doing Bill. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Sandy Bokor
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God bless you Bill and Donna…Very inspirational!!!
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Michael Drake
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Thank you for sharing your experience. Both you and Donna are the kindness of people. May our Heavenly Parent continue to bless and guide your family. Very inspirational.
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Mike Amrine
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The book you authored “Preparing for the afterlife” is a real treasure. Thanks for all your kind work. :-)
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roberto turconi
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Matthew 7 : 16 ” by their fruit you will recognize them ”
We are the disciples of True Parents and trough our actions more then our preaching people will accept True Father as the Messiah !
Tank you Bill and Donna for your beautiful example of living for others as True Parents teach us !
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David Gee
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Wonderful testimony Bill. You are well suited to this
kind of ministry. From what I know of you and remember from seeing you, it does not surprise me.
May Heavenly Parents light and love be with in the
days ahead.
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Harumi and Lisa Take
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Thanks to the many years of dedicated and deeply enriching front line work for True Parents, many of us were able to cultivate our true calling and Bill, you were very fortunate indeed, to find yours in a setting that most befits your kind, gentle and sensitive spirit. Mazel Tov! dear Brother.
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Denis Manor
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Wow Bill and Donna,
This is really wonderful work that you both do. May God continue to bless your ministry.
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Jan and Muriel De Goeij
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This is really beautiful Bill! Thank you for sharing our Heavenly Parents’ and True Parents’ Love in this way. Everyone needs a “hand to hold” in time of sorrow. God Bless your ministry!
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Peter Freund
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HI Bill Congratulations. Its a great work you are doing. Helping people at that stage of their life its very important and crucial specially if it helps them to realize …ITS NOT THE END BUT JUST THE BEGUINING of a new life or as we know, our 3rd stage after birth and life on the physical plane. Way to go brother!.
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Barry Mahler
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Sounds like wonderful work, Bill! For all those who are groping to find a way to translate their faith into practice, you’ve lite a bright beacon.
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Shelley
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Cool indeed! Thank you for sharing this with me. I remember with thanks and appreciation your work in contributing to and supporting MEPI. And last but not least congrates for becoming a doctor of ministry!
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Randy & Kumiko Francis
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Bill and Donna, Thank you for your heart of service and love centered on The Principle and True Parents vision. The lives you are touching feel the power of healing and hope that you share here.
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steve kille
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Bill, you and Donna are an inspiration!
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Jean Villar
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This is amazing!
How can we apply the tribal messiaship in our daily life, even on the job. I am here in the elderson nation for a mission and everydsy we talk to people too, I can do the same sharing the principle in everything I will say. God bless you and your family:)
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Jim Stinard
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This is a great story and a testimony of the faith of Bill Selig and his ability to
convey some of the core aspects of the Unification faith with his hospital
community. He is a shining example of sharing one’s faith with others.
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