Spiritual well being has been at the core of The New England Deaconess mission from its beginning. Our care and concern for the elderly reaches beyond physical and emotional issues to the eternal significance and worth of everyone. One definition is as follows: "Spiritual well being is the affirmation of life in a relationship with God, self, community and environment that nurtures and celebrates wholeness." To that end, a resident Chaplain is part of the staff and ecumenical/ inter-faith religious nurture and experience is provided to residents, families, and employees.