Meet Our Chaplains

Susan Joseph Rack

Chaplain Susan and Newly Married Residents

Worshiping in community is something most of the residents of eldercare centers have enjoyed since they were children. But moving into a care center often makes worshiping in their hometown church difficult or impossible. The opportunity to worship in their “new home” community—singing their faith together, praying together and hearing scripture together—builds Christian community among strangers whose life journeys have made them neighbors. Worshiping together encourages them to come to know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, reminds them that they are not alone, and that they are members of Christ’s Universal Church.

That is why I answer God’s call to offer weekly worship services including regular celebration of the Lord’s Supper to the residents of Bridgeway and McCarrick Care Centers. I particularly enjoy dramatically contemporizing the biblical stories in worship and seeing the worshipers smile as they recognize that these timeless stories’ resonate with their own experiences. The stories of God’s people reassure them that God is with them through joys and sorrows.

A particular joy we celebrated together recently was the marriage of two octogenarians who bear witness to God’s promise that “love never ends.” Sharing Christ’s love with whomever we meet throughout life’s journey is a frequent theme of our worship together. And when we gather to remember the lives of friends who have died, we give thanks for the light of God’s love that shined through their lives and into eternity.

Reverend Susan Joseph Rack has been serving Bridgeway and McCarrick Care Centers for the Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly since 2007 and is the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, NJ

David Drake

David Drake is the Chaplain at Raritan Health & Extended Care Center and Foothill Acres.

Ethel, of Raritan activities, and and Chaplain Dave discuss residents to be visited

"What a blessing it is to have served God and His loved ones for the last twelve years! The elderly in long-term care have a beautiful and abiding faith in God. That faith is being maintained and there are opportunities for worship each week. The residents have a great need for a Chaplain's visit. This was pointed out again by one resident's comment: 'I have no family left to visit me. You are my family now, Chaplain Dave.'"

"My twelve-years of association with Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly began when, after retiring, I felt that God wanted me to serve the elderly. So, at age 58, I began studies at Somerset Christian College and finally graduated from seminary ten years later. You guessed it - most fellow students were a bit younger than me. During those years of study, I first served as a volunteer assistant to Rev. Ruth Robbins, who was then Chaplain at Bridgeway, and then was assigned as Chaplain at Raritan Health and Extended Care. I now also serve at Foothill Acres Nursing Center".
 
 

Meet Our Newest Board Member Lynn Santulli

At the November meeting of the Board of Directors of the Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly, Marian "Lynn" Santulli was elected as the newest Board member.

Lynn Santulli

Lynn is currently the Associate Minister for Congregational Life at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church. She began there in 2001 and has lead many ministries within that congregation including ministries focusing on children, youth and adults. She also serves in areas of leadership development, mission, administration and planning. Earlier Lynn worked at a major telecommunications company for 19 years, receiving numerous awards for performance excellence.

Lynn received her BA in Religious Studies, magna cum laude, from Drew University and received her Master of Divinity from Yale University (YDS) . She is currently enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary to complete a Masters of Theological Studies (ThM) focusing on Doctrinal Theology. She has completed her ordination exams and expects to be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, PC USA, in the summer of 2010.