Doug Vardell, CPE Supervisor

I finally got to take a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Doug Vardell, was my skilled and compassionate CPE supervisor at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

CPE at its best is a spiritual journey. My best analogy comes from the four seasons. In the Fall and Winter when the leaves are off the trees you’re able observe things that you could not when the limbs were covered. You see the structure of the tree, plus things on the landscape that the leave-laden branches were hiding.

CPE is an invitation, where for a season, with a group of people we learn to trust, we shed our leaves and explore stories of what has made us who we are. We see twisted limbs, straight strong branches, scars and cuts. Sometimes those who are walking with us help us see things that we’ve missed along the way.

After the journey of the shed leaves, we’re able to bloom again, with better foliage. We’re able to provide a safer place for others as they shed their leaves for a season.

My CPE unit was a time of tremendous spiritual growth. I was the only Adventist in my group of seven and grew to cherish my faith even more. This group of people walked with me as I discovered surprisingly new and challenging things about myself, my life, and my history. A re-discovery of grace.