Francis Hospital Harderberg resumes pastoral support services
Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, a well-known medical institution, has introduced a new initiative aimed at providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, their families, and staff members. The offering, called "AnsprechBar", is a low-threshold counseling and support service that functions as an informal meeting place within the hospital.
The "AnsprechBar" is located in the entrance hall of the hospital and operates every second and fourth Wednesday. It is staffed by trained counselors or social workers who are available on-site to offer a listening ear and guidance on a range of topics, from health and psychosocial issues to navigating hospital services.
The initiative has been warmly received, with a large response motivating the chaplains to continue with the service. Evangelical Pastor Stephan Feldmann, who has been strengthening the hospital chaplaincy team at Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, is one of the key figures behind "AnsprechBar".
Pastor Feldmann brings a wealth of experience to the team, having served in various pastoral roles for over a decade. He has previously worked as a community pastor in Osnabrück and Peine for nine years, and in hospital chaplaincy since 2017, at Klinikum Osnabrück and Marienhospital Osnabrück at the Natruper Holz location.
At Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, Pastor Feldmann started working half-time in 2025. He joins the hospital chaplaincy team, which includes Catholic hospital chaplains Pastor Christoph Höckelmann and Claudia Hettlich, who initiated the "AnsprechBar" service.
During "AnsprechBar", chaplains are present to engage in conversation with people about God and the world, providing a safe space for those who wish to discuss their thoughts and feelings in a religious context. The service aims to reduce barriers to help by offering a welcoming atmosphere for conversation and support.
In essence, the AnsprechBar provides a friendly, easily accessible resource within the hospital to assist with personal, emotional, or practical issues, helping to improve patient and family experience as well as staff well-being. The "Good News of the Day" tag may be associated with the "AnsprechBar" initiative due to its focus on spiritual discussions. The "Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg" tag is relevant as the location for the "AnsprechBar" initiative.
The "AnsprechBar" initiative is part of the spiritual care services offered at Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, providing a valuable resource for those seeking spiritual support during their hospital journey.
The AnsprechBar, located within the entrance hall of Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, offers a low-threshold counseling and support service to patients, families, and staff members, focusing on health, mental health, and psychosocial issues. Pastor Stephan Feldmann, a key figure behind this initiative, brings significant experience from his pastoral roles and hospital chaplaincy work to provide spiritual support and facilitate conversations about faith.
