I was reminded recently of the movie “Billy Eliot.” The story tells about the unlikely path of a pre-adolescent boy in a northern English coal mining town. While the majority of his mates take up boxing, a “manly” activity, Billy Eliot feels drawn to ballet. The boy’s friends look at him askance and the girls…
A Way to Weather an Eruption
Some years ago I had some time to take my camera and wander around the community of Denpasar on the island of Bali. As I walked along the shore, I spied the four girls in the photograph I’ve shared as they sat in the sea breeze, chatting and laughing, and evidently enjoying each other’s company…
Bringing Water to the “Desert”
Would you like to bring “water” into this current, socially distanced desert we live in? Well, let me tell you about this picture. Some years ago I traveled to China with a medical team from Virginia. We had been invited by the Amity Foundation, the social development arm of the China Christian Council, to tour…
I’ll Manage!
It came to my attention the other day that my name doesn’t appear anywhere as the “manager” of the Support Team Network. I’d like to say that’s because I’m an incredibly humble guy and don’t care a thing about getting credit for anything. Alas, that isn’t the case. It boils down to simple incompetence: I…
Our Chaplain Residents in our First “Vlog!”
It was a blast to work with the Clinical Pastoral Education residents here at UAB Pastoral Care in putting together this little trailer regarding loneliness. They’re some good and committed servants, I can tell you that!
Come Have Lunch with Us!! Seriously – You’re Invited!
Here at the UAB Support Team Network, we’ve begun a new lunch series. It’s called “Community is Medicine.” Isn’t that cool?! Now, you’re not only being invited to read these columns but you can come and get something tasty to eat, hobnob with others who feel called to make a difference in their community, and…
Gratitude for a Long Term Friend
Way back in the summer of 1992, I went to serve as the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Winchester, Virginia. That’s when I met the family of Butch and Eva Gates. The first day in my office, Eva called me and asked me to officiate at a marriage vow renewal service that…
Our Best Practices in Spanish (Mejores procedimientos para un grupo de apoyo en Español)
A couple of weeks ago, Corey Agricola and Jeff Woods, two of our chaplains, traveled to Gadsden, Alabama and with the able assistance of Elder Juan Tinillo, established a Support Team at Ebenezer Seventh Day Adventist Church. Corey and Jeff needed Elder Tinillo because the entire team speaks Spanish and Juan did a great job…
Separation is an Illusion
“Separation is an Illusion” All the Christian spiritual masters say this: in God’s world, we’re all connected. Interestingly, Buddhists and quantum physicists say it, too, along with Hindu gurus and Muslim Sufis. Separation is an illusion. This statement still startles me. The fact is, I like to think that I’m separate. I like to hold…
A Memory of Andy Lester
When the phone rang on a February morning in 1989, I thought I had an idea of who’d be calling me. I was the pastor of a small town Kentucky church and church members called me about almost anything at almost anytime. I received this particular call sitting in the pastor’s study while working on…
