Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital cordially invites you to join us for a
Retirement Reception Honoring Chaplain Craig Butler
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Come and Go from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Brazos Pavilion Conference Rooms C & D
RSVP by May 16 to snbowman@houstonmethodist.org or 281.274.7164
Looking to Retirement Days Ahead
The halls of our Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital have been my second home for almost ten years now. It has been a tremendous joy for me to be here in the Spiritual Care and Values Integration Department and to witness and experience growth throughout our hospital and our own Spiritual Care and Values Integration Department in that length of time.
A few weeks ago, I turned in my official notice to my Director, Bill Bross, that I will be retiring at the end of May. This was not an easy decision because this has been a great place to work and to interact with such a great group of individuals. As I look back over these years, I can see some very positive ways our department has made an impact on our hospital. Hopefully, I have left a positive fingerprint or two along the way. We have an amazing and diverse staff. I have enjoyed the time to interact with such a talented group of individuals. We have developed a strong and committed Spiritual Care and Values Integration Volunteer Program that helps us visit numerous patients in our hospital every day. Along with our Chaplains, these volunteers hopefully, leave many encouraging words to those who are here as our patients, guests, and family members. Bill has been most supportive of our efforts to initiate a series of worship times throughout the yearly calendar for the benefit of our hospital and community. The “Journey to Bethlehem” series in December provides an opportunity for the hospital and the community to prepare for the Advent season at Christmas. Our National Day of Prayer in May also helps us showcase the diversity of faiths in a prayer service for the hospital. It has been a joy to see our hospital embrace these events.
Our relationship with the community has been strengthened with a series of breakfasts for area religious leaders and personnel. Through this series of events, more and more community leaders are learning about our roles in providing excellent medical and hopefully spiritual care to all of our patients. Many of them have “adopted” us as their primary hospital. In addition to working with our Spiritual Care staff and the large group of volunteers, it has been a great pleasure to meet and associate with staff members throughout the whole hospital. This has been a great and rewarding experience for me every day. I always look forward to discussing upcoming ups and downs with the fall football season or showcasing holiday ties during December months too.
Now, what do I have in store?
I have some responsibilities to take care of some family members- mom back in Alabama and some grandkids in Austin. I am really not saying “good-bye”. I just like to think that I am taking some time away. My plan is to continue to be a strong advocate for our Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital wherever I might be and to work on my book about my experiences in Peru. Hopefully, retirement will get me in gear to complete this long awaited project. I covet your prayers along the way. Godspeed to each of you and a huge thanks for making this such a great place to work and minister.
Chaplain Craig