"Most fundamentally, interfaith is respect. Respect for different traditions, different religions, different faiths. It is coming to understanding them. And more, it is coming to love them. All of us have so many layers in our lives. We...
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"Most fundamentally, interfaith is respect. Respect for different traditions, different religions, different faiths. It is coming to understanding them. And more, it is coming to love them. All of us have so many layers in our lives. We speak many languages and listen to diverse music. We eat many kinds of foods. It is time that our spiritual diet, too, becomes a healthy mixed menu. Its very variety makes us richer, deeper, more understanding, more loving."
It’s 10:30 pm…the phone rings, and, the Social Worker on duty at UVA Medical Center is asking if we can help a father with his two little girls with lodging for two or three nights. The Case: His wife was transported from a distance of four and half hours to UVA Medical Center for emergency surgery. Because of the children he cannot stay at the UVA Hospitality House. And, he doesn’t have the money for a hotel room. The few dollars he had went for the gasoline in order to drive to... Read Full Story
We received a note from one of our dearest friends who said that all he wanted for Christmas this year was another 300 people to assist him with a survey which he described as “one supreme project, one last potential contribution, which could turn out to be the most significant of all: my field research on spirituality.” Daniel A. Helminiak is Professor in the humanistic and transpersonal Department of Psychology at the University of West Georgia. A Catholic priest, licensed professional... Read Full Story
Love has no boundaries. Love is all inclusive. She is Jewish, and he is Christian. She is Muslim, and he is Hindu. She is Buddhist, and he is Baptist. She is Christian, and he is Humanist. She is black, and he is white. She is Asian, and he is Caucasian. Of course we perform same faith, same culture and non-religious ceremonies, but this rather concise article addresses the greater diversity of couples in love. Also, the greater challenges. Interfaith, interracial, intercultural marriages... Read Full Story
The bride looked beautiful and happy. The day was October 11, 2008. Vanessa, the bride, was escorted down the aisle by her son, Stephan, who was in his military uniform which he wore with pride. Standing in front of me, he presented his Mother to the groom, Richard Adelson. Wade and I remember this day as if it was yesterday. We had such fond conversations and emails with Vanessa prior to the day of the wedding. But most informative were her answers to our questionnaire which revealed her... Read Full Story
We always say that the most opportune time to allow your voice to be heard, your words to be read, is NOW. This is certainly true for LGBT issues. Some people are hesitant to actually send a note to the Letters to the Editor in your home town, but it is so vital that you take the time to originate even a letter of a few paragraphs to let the greater community know what needs their support. Your letter needs to follow the guidelines provided in the newspaper, such as number of words, etc. Be... Read Full Story
Oct 30 The social worker said, “The wife of a very sick fellow in neuro-intensive has been in hospitality house (HH) for a few days, and simply can’t afford the fee for the extra days. She feels she needs to be near her husband. With his condition, it would really be a relief if she could remain for the week, perhaps six days. She’s about 150 miles from home. Can you assist?” I suppose one could review this situation and without further info, consider suggesting a return home and return later... Read Full Story
Sometimes I just stop and say thanks for a treasured moment..this happened again this week. The social worker called from the UVA Cancer Center and said I have a young woman from northern Virginia who needs to be kept over until Monday for another diagnosis. She’s here alone; she can remain. Her ride must return home. Can you help with these five days for her fee at hospitality house? I said yes. Does she have food money? The answer: She has $3.00 total. On Thursday we sent a note to Dr... Read Full Story
The social worker on the phone said, “I have a situation which needs your attention. I’m not sure anyone else can make a difference.” My response, “Let’s talk.” This social worker is a no nonsense, excellent judge of situations which can evolve into more drastic circumstances. As a social worker in the critical care arena at UVA Medical Center, she understands the tense situations which can arise. This was one of those situations. She said that there had been a physical confrontation between... Read Full Story
What did I say that made a 7-year old boy squeeze my leg with such delight and say ”thank you,” as if he had just received a Christmas present? What I said was, “Tonight you will be sleeping in a hotel room in town.” Why did it make such a difference to a small boy? Because he had been sleeping in the UVA Medical Center garage in the car with his Mother and 8 month old sibling. For three days! No single incident in my experience as a volunteer overnight Chaplain at the UVA Medical Center... Read Full Story
This blog entry was provided by Rev. T. Wade Clegg III Chambers Pocket Dictionary defines humanism as “seeking, without religion, the best in, and for, human beings.” From an article in Dale McGowan’s book, “Parenting Beyond Belief,” (pages 123-125) Shannon and Matthew Cherry said, “That’s really how we see our job as parents: seeking to bring out the best in our children so that they can have the best in life.” The article goes on to state, “The humanist tradition in the West has its roots... Read Full Story
