The Pastoral Care Department of Oakwood Village builds upon the rich spiritual foundation of the sponsoring congregations of area Lutheran churches and the faith traditions that residents bring to both campuses. In addition to providing excellent, compassionate, physical, medical, and social care, Oakwood Village is respectful and nurturing of spiritual support through clinically trained chaplains. Ordained pastors who are certified for specialized ministry by their faith traditions and for chaplaincy with the Association of Professional Chaplains serve residents of Oakwood and their families as well as the volunteers and employees of Oakwood.

Chaplains Gwen Brandfass, Doug Locken and Byron Bunge provide ministries to and with older adults to assist with changes in health and life situations. Compassionate employees and volunteers support people in attending worship opportunities and Bible Studies.

Sunday worship services are conducted in Resurrection Chapel and the Auditorium on the Oakwood Village West Campus. Sunday services are offered in Tree of Life Chapel at Oakwood Village East.

Other worship services are offered during the week on both campuses. The Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated on the second and fourth Friday morning of each month in the Resurrection Chapel at 10:00 a.m., and the first Friday of each month in the Tree of Life Chapel at 10:30 a.m. The Rosary is prayed on alternate Friday mornings at Oakwood Village West, and the third Friday of each month in the Tree of Life Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Shabbat is held once each month for Jewish residents in the Oakwood Village West Tower Apartments. Educational Programs, including Bible studies, are offered on both campuses, and Chaplains are always available for pastoral emergencies.

For inquiries about the Oakwood Village Pastoral Care program contact:

Director of Pastoral Care Byron Bunge
(608) 230-4212

Administrative Assistant
(608) 230-4382

Outreach Ministries

Oakwood is proud to support two outreach programs in an effort to touch as many lives in the community as possible. These outreach programs are coordinated through Oakwood’s Pastoral Care Department.

Oakwood’s Parish Nurse Program

The mission of the Parish Nurse Program is to reach out and assist congregations in their Holistic Ministry while nurturing their partnership with Oakwood Village. Holistic Ministry and Parish Nursing are based on the belief that health is growth towards well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.

Oakwood coordinates a parish nurse program in partnership with Lake Edge UCC and Midvale Community Lutheran. The Parish nurse serves as personal health counselors, health educators, facilitators of support groups, health advocates and a referral source and liaison to community resources.

For more information about Oakwood’s Parish Nurse Program contact:

Peggy Bezruki
Parish Nurse

Respite Care Team Ministry

Respite Care Team Ministry is a ministry of area congregations with consultation, training and ongoing support from Oakwood Village and Catholic Charities. Respite Care Team Ministry is active in congregations of all denominations and serves persons of all faiths and is a proven, effective means to organize volunteers to support individuals who are often isolated and struggling to remain independent. Respite Care Team Ministry is a faith-centered, congregation sponsored program that helps individuals and families cope with various non-medical needs.

The program has a very simple structure. Each congregational Care Team is led by Care Team Leaders with support from its own Pastoral Staff and the Respite Care Team Ministry Coordinator Lynda Koivunen. Respite Care Team Ministry provides valuable services such as rest and relief for primary caregivers, friendly visits and phone calls, errands and outings, assistance with mail, reading, correspondence and bill paying, and assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, simple repairs, yard chores, shopping and transportation
If you would like to learn more about Respite Care Team Ministry, inquire about receiving services, or form a Team in your congregation, please contact:

Lynda Koivunen, MSSW
Respite Care Team Ministry Coordinator
(608) 833-4800 x106

Testimonial

Person's Name
I appreciate the fact that Oakwood is faith-oriented. I can especially see this in the way staff treats residents and each other. Staff is well-trained and lives out the values of the organization.

Mission Statement

Oakwood is a Lutheran ministry serving generations of aging adults, encouraging individuality, worth and well-being throughout life.