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Spirituality at The Hearthstone

Spirituality at The Hearthstone

In my role as The Hearthstone’s Chaplain and as a called and ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I serve the Hearthstone community, staff and residents, people of all faiths, and no faith at all. I engage with our residents over meals, in one-on-one, confidential conversations, and during prayer or meditation. I help residents explore beliefs and find meaning in their religious or secular lives. In addition, I work closely with the families of Hearthstone residents—who are important members of our extended community—guiding them on spiritual matters and providing support in times of grief or other challenging times.

I lead support groups such as Bible study and grief group and host other activities–such as book club–to promote a sense of community and belonging.   My service to the community also includes a regular Sunday night Vespers service, recognition of significant religious holidays and presiding over memorial services.

My presence helps residents maintain spiritual continuity, whether through connections to external faith leaders or by offering spiritual and other supportive resources within the community.  The goal is for everyone in our community to find acceptance, belonging and to feel connected whether they’re deeply religious, spiritual but not religious, or neither.

  • As a long-time Green Lake resident, when I began to explore retirement living communities, The Hearthstone quickly became the perfect choice. I have met so many wonderful and interesting people here. I enjoy having a bistro in my building and access to so many excellent fitness classes, movies, educational classes and other activities offered. I made the best decision for me, and it is a gift to my children as well. They are grateful that I reside is such a safe, caring and supporting community and so am I.

    ~Terri, Cove East
  • Our decision to move to Cove West at the Hearthstone took several years. We were specifically looking for a non-profit CCRC in order to meet any future healthcare needs. The Hearthstone’s well-established reputation stood out as did the Green Lake location, which in our opinion is unmatched in the Seattle area.  All of the community's amenities and the newly-built (at the time) Cove West sealed the deal. Last but not least, we have found true community with our neighbors.

    ~Dave and Judy, Cove West
  • We lived separately and happily at the Hearthstone for several years, and we still consider our individual moves here to be very good decisions. We met at dinner one evening and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. As a result, the second, totally unexpected decision we made to move in together was another very good decision. Together, we have found something we thought was lost forever. Not everyone finds love at eighty-one. We wouldn’t have either had one of us not moved to The Hearthstone.  

    ~Keith and Therese, The Lakeside
  • I love living at The Hearthstone and in the wonderful Green Lake neighborhood. My fellow residents and I make up a close-knit community in which there are countless opportunities to improve our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. And the food is good too!

    ~Don, The Lakeside
  • I love calling the Hearthstone home, as does my dog Dosey, who is SO happy living just one block from Green Lake park. Exercise classes and the well-equipped gym keep me physically active. Music trivia and local excursions are fun. The staff supports my daily living with maintenance, cleaning, rides, trips, humor and kindness. I feel lucky to live here.

    ~Mary, The Lakeside
  • It is all about community at The Hearthstone and not just the Green Lake neighborhood community.  While we love living in such a vibrant neighborhood, it is the true sense of community with other residents and staff members that makes The Hearthstone so special.

    ~Frank and Jean, The Lakeside
  • I knew this move would be a positive one, yet I had no idea that my new home would be my paradise. I wake up each day and see it as a new beginning—whether it is sunny or cloudy—it is full of hope.

    ~Madalyn, The Lakeside
  • My mom recently spent time at UW Medical Center. Rose, your Director of Admissions and Care Manager, was so kind to not only visit mom, but to also work with the UW Discharge Planner to ensure that mom had what she needed while there and when she returned to the Hearthstone. As the non-local daughter, living halfway across the country, it was a great comfort to me to know that if my Seattle-based sister couldn’t help at a given time, there was someone at the Hearthstone with whom we could connect and who would help support mom. I'm grateful for the support and care both of my parents receive as residents of the Hearthstone and Rose's work in this instance is a very good example of that care.

    ~Ann, Daughter of Residents
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