Newton Community Matters December 2021

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Newton Presbyterian Manor

Chaplain’s Corner

Surprise! DECEMBER 2021

John Spielman named director of environmental services On Sept. 20 Newton Presbyterian Manor welcomed John Spielman to the community as its new director of environmental services. Prior to joining the staff, John was the manager of the environmental services department at Newton Medical Center for seven years. In his new position, John says his job responsibilities are partly to keep the community looking good while also protecting the safety of everyone who lives and works here.

John Spielman, director of environmental services

“I want to make sure everything looks good so that people get a great first impression and things are maintained, but I’m also helping to maintain an environment that people can’t see—one that’s protecting them from the virus.” As to his last point, John believes that the current COVID-19 pandemic has placed a much-needed spotlight on the work of all those in the field of environmental services. “If it wasn’t for the field of environmental services, we wouldn’t have the type of infection control that we do. That wasn’t pronounced until COVID came along and then it became super important—it’s what is protecting our hospitals and our co-workers,” said John.

Spielman – continued on page 3

By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain Did you know that when you carefully separate the two halves of a peanut there’s a surprise waiting for you inside? It’s a miniature “Santa Claus!” Some people say it’s a bunny. Silly, misguided people. When will they ever learn? One of the great mysteries of life is that it is filled with surprises! Start to believe you have some one person, place or thing figured out … and boom! … something coming from either deep within or far beyond you suddenly shocks you or catches you off guard and/or forces you to rethink virtually everything that you previously believed about any given topic. Take the birth of Jesus, for instance. We all know He was born “… in a manger because there was no room for Him in the inn.” We’ve been told a “manger” is cattle feeder. Not a difficult word picture to grasp. However, the inn, Hollywood led to believe, was kind of like a Motel 6. You know, the innkeeper opens the peephole to his door and yells “There’s no room in the inn!” Here’s the problem. Tom Bodett and Co. have only been leaving the light on since 1962. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure “inns” like Tom’s didn’t exist 2,000 years ago. Individual families hosted and were hospitable to travelers, including strangers, which Joseph and Mary were not. Did you know the word “inn” in the

Surprise! – continued on page 4

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Newton Community Matters December 2021 by Presbyterian Manors of Mid America - Issuu