“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
Anne Lamott
Halfway through our week, today is an invitation to pause.
We talk a lot at Luthercare about caring for the whole person. Our physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing aren’t separate. They influence one another every day.
So today, let’s make a little room for both movement and stillness.
Walk. Roll. Stretch. Step outside. Take a deep breath. Sit quietly for a few minutes.
And while you do, think about five words:
GRACE. GRATITUDE. CONNECTION. PURPOSE. HOPE.
Which one do you need most today?
You don’t need an hour or a special program to care for yourself. Sometimes well-being starts with giving ourselves permission to pause.
Today’s challenge: Do one thing for your body and one thing that brings you peace.
And in today’s Pastor Spotlight, following this message, we’ll hear about what sustains one of our pastors and where they continue to find hope.
Rooted in Faith. Growing in Well-being.
Marissa Picchini President & CEO
PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: Reflection — Chaplain Dione Klepetka
Chaplain Dione Klepetka and her husband Bradley recently.
Finding God in Everyday Moments
For St. John’s Herr Estate Chaplain Dione Klepetka, spirituality is not limited to a particular place, practice or moment. It is woven into everyday life, from time spent outdoors to caring for others and making space for quiet reflection. With 27 years in ministry, including the past 13 and a half years at Luthercare, Dione finds strength in God’s grace and hope in the connections we share.
A faith that moves through everyday life
Rev. Dione Klepetka pictured at St. John’s Herr Estate with her husband, Brad, and their daughters Morgan and Maia on March 10, 2013.
Originally from Arvada, Colorado, Dione attended Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, now United Lutheran Seminary. She served Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shrewsbury for 13 and a half years before bringing her ministry to Luthercare, where she has continued to support others through spiritual care.
Throughout her life, God’s love and grace have sustained Dione through difficult seasons. Sometimes that support has felt abundant, and other times it has come in smaller ways, through the kindness of loved ones and even strangers. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for the many ways care and compassion can reach us when we need them most.
Finding God’s presence in the world around us
Dione most easily experiences God’s presence outdoors, particularly in the woods and the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. But her understanding of spiritual practice extends far beyond time spent in nature.
Prayer has always come naturally to her. Over the years, she has also embraced the idea that all of life can be an act of worship. Everyday activities, including yard work, listening to someone who is struggling and offering care to others, have become meaningful ways for her to practice her faith.
For Dione, no part of life exists apart from God. Every moment offers an opportunity to live out her beliefs and deepen her spiritual connection.
Making room for reflection, rest and peace
Although Dione enjoys the energy of being around others, she also values quiet moments and recognizes the importance of rest. Reflection is an essential part of her spiritual life, giving her time to consider life’s challenges and invite God into the process.
When the world feels especially difficult, Dione finds peace through relationships with friends from diverse backgrounds. Even when they are working through painful or challenging issues, their mutual respect and care provide comfort and remind her of the importance of staying connected.
She also returns to a simple prayer: “God, your will be done.” Trusting in God’s wisdom, guidance, forgiveness and healing helps her find peace, even when she cannot change the circumstances around her.
A hope that spans generations
Rev. Dione Klepetka and her husband Bradley before Dione’s ordination service on August 22, 1999.
Dione’s hope comes from her belief that God remains active in the world and in the lives of people of every generation. While it can be easy to focus on the challenges facing society, she believes that God continues to work through, forgive and inspire both young people and older adults.
That faith gives her what she describes through the words of the beloved hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness: “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”
During Spiritual Care Week, Dione’s story reminds us that spiritual growth can happen in the quiet moments, in the care we offer others and in the relationships that sustain us. Through faith, reflection and an appreciation for God’s presence in everyday life, she continues to find peace and hope while helping others do the same.
About Spiritual Care Week:
Spiritual Care Week is being celebrated this year from October 18 to October 24. Spiritual Care Week has its roots in Pastoral Care Week, first observed in 1985 through the efforts of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and the College of Chaplains. What began as a national initiative grew into an international celebration of spiritual care in all its forms. Today, it serves as a time for chaplains and spiritual care providers around the world to share their stories, honor their ministries, and raise awareness about the essential role spiritual care plays in supporting individuals and families.