STATE OF CONNECTICUT

      CONNECTICUT VALLEY HOSPITAL

   MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT

April 26, 1963

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sirs:

            It is a pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Richard Nolan. I became acquainted with Richard during his quarter of resident training at the Summer School of Pastoral care at Connecticut Valley Hospital during the summer of 1962. The program consisted of ward visits to patients under my supervision, and lectures by our Staff.  There were three group seminars each week involving the students' own relationships to patients and to other students in the program. It was during these supervised sessions that Richard showed himself as an individual who was seeking to relate on a mature level. This involved a seeking on his part to understand his relationship with others. The area in which he was particularly interested in testing was his ability to communicate, not only the subject matter, but a quality of growth on a personal basis.

            It has been refreshing to have Richard as associate in the Chaplain's department during the summer. There was a mutual respect between him and our staff at the hospital. He was able to clarify his role as a student-chaplain and permitted others to relate to him in terms of their role definition. He seeks to meet people on a personal level and does not require them to fulfill a role facade.

            The major thrust of his ministry I found vas in his ability to teach. This was shown as his strength and contribution to the Christian ministry. He has become aware of the areas of maturity through growth in himself, and hence is able to communicate growth of the individual to others. There were several calls from the community to preach during the summer when pastors were on vacation. Richard filled these pulpits with good response from the congregations involved. He was able to minister in a meaningful way in which he made the gospel of Christ relevant to the parishioners' needs.

                                                                                                                        Sincerely

                                                                                                              Harold Yarrington

                                                                                                              Teaching Chaplain

[copied from carbon paper]