PIECES OF PEACE In these confusing, painful, anxious times… a few nuggets of peace to nourish the faith, joy, and beauty within…. Peace, Shalom, Sala’am, Rev. Karen MacDonald, M.Div. President, Health Ministries Association May the Creator give you eyes to see the new creation springing forth— May Christ give you ears to hear the laughter of [...]
TRYING TIMES To put it simplistically, these are trying times. We were already dealing, physically and emotionally, with a global pandemic that’s claimed more than 105,000 lives in the United States, and more than 375,000 lives around the world. It’s upended life as we know it and thrown so many of us into grief. Now [...]
STAY THE COURSE AND FIND NEW COURSES Friends, I pray this HMA Today reaches you in good health and good spirits as you offer your vital health ministry in the continuing global pandemic that’s touching each of us locally and individually. Your presence and guidance grounded in faith, helping to ground those you serve in [...]
Uncertain Times When I went to my local hardware store the other day, a hand-written sign on the entrance door announced, “We’re sold out of masks. Sorry for the inconvenience.” As I checked out with my item, the store manager said that customers had bought out the masks for fear of the coronavirus. Now, construction [...]
New Year Every morning after I get out of bed and feed the cats who are clamoring for breakfast, I step outside. Whatever the conditions—cold, warm, dark, sunny, cloudy, rainy, clear—a few moments out in the new morning wakes my mind and centers my spirit. The Sun is still burning, the Earth is still turning, [...]
“Faith Based Approaches to Cultivate Healthier Communities”, HMA’s 30th anniversary conference and celebration, is a happy memory. What an uplifting gathering of learning from each other and from guest speakers, of good food and fellowship, of singing and dancing (yes, there was a conga line jiving during the gala evening!), of prayer and meditation, of [...]
Not so long ago I was writing a special letter to and on behalf of Health Ministries Association, expressing sorrow and encouragement after the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. I’m compelled today to write another such letter, moved by grief, pain, and yes, anger. We have witnessed, or experienced, [...]
The work we do in our health ministries, wherever we offer them, is rooted in relationships. We connect with people whom we serve and help them connect their faith and their health. As we share information to help people make healthy choices, as we refer people to resources that can support their health, as we [...]
LIFE - AFFIRMING CONVERSATIONS Life is an astounding gift! Have you marveled at a sunset lately? Or been amazed that the sun still burns, giving us light and heat and energy? Or been wrapped in the arms of a loved one? Or felt your spirit soar with magnificent music? Or given thanks for/to all who make [...]
SEASON OF DARKNESS, SEASON OF LIFE As I write this column, the year’s longest night is approaching. In a couple of days, the tilt of Earth’s axis as the planet rotates will turn the northern hemisphere its furthest distance from the Sun. The hours of darkness outnumber the hours of daylight on this midwinter day. [...]
