Question 1

Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell me about your credentials?

Accepted Answer

Sure! My official title is Reverend Doctor Mary Ligon, but most people call me Chaplain Mary, which is what I prefer. I’m a board-certified chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains and an ordained minister. I hold a Master of Divinity from Liberty University and a PhD in Health-Related Sciences with a focus in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Before moving into chaplaincy, I served as a full-time tenured professor for more than 15 years. That background really shaped my understanding of people, aging, and community —which informs my work today as a chaplain.

Question 2

Tell me about your role as the Community Chaplain.

Accepted Answer

I joined Bay Aging on July 1, 2025, as their first Community Chaplain — a brand-new position inspired by the vision of the Robert B. Lantz Foundation. The Foundation funds the role through a renewable grant, and Bay Aging provides the organizational home. I’m so grateful to both for their partnership and support.

Bay Aging serves ten rural counties across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, but my focus is on Lancaster County. My mission is to walk alongside people through life’s challenges — grief, illness, isolation, relationship struggles — or even moments of celebration and transition.

Being a community chaplain means meeting people where they are — spiritually, emotionally, and physically. That might mean visiting someone in their home, a care facility, or even a local café. People don’t need to be religious; my role is to help them draw on their own strengths and beliefs to find peace and hope.

Question 3

You mentioned completing a strategic plan for the program. What are your main goals?

Accepted Answer

My top priority is to provide compassionate emotional and spiritual support to Lancaster County residents who are struggling. Second, I aim to support the professionals who care for them — Bay Aging staff, healthcare and human service workers, and clergy. Finally, I want to strengthen our community’s overall emotional and spiritual well-being through education and outreach programs that address larger, systemic challenges.

Question 4

How can people access your services?

Accepted Answer

Many referrals come through Bay Aging programs like Caregiver Support, Meals on Wheels, and the Active Lifestyle Center at Tartan Village. I also serve residents at local long-term care communities — the Lancashire Nursing Home and Commonwealth Assisted Living — and recently began mentoring a student through Lancaster County Public Schools.

Anyone — residents, professionals, or clergy — can reach out directly. You can call or text me at 804-699-9160, or email mligon@bayaging.org. You can also contact Bay Aging at 1-800-493-0238 or visit BayAging.org for more information.

What is a Community Chaplain?

Frequently Asked Questions

Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell me about your credentials?

Tell me about your role as the Community Chaplain.

You mentioned completing a strategic plan for the program. What are your main goals?

How can people access your services?