A very belated conclusion to the original series: 

We all experience loss at some point times in our lives, but life goes on whether we’re ready for it to or not. As I write, I’m sitting at the old desk of my friend Pat; beside me on the bookshelf are Jack’s books. Both of these men have died, and as mentors to me in my ministry I often wish they were here to give me advice or offer support when I’m not sure what to do next. They are not forgotten, and I carry their memories with me…

When thinking about the process of grief, depression is probably what comes to most people’s minds. Whether someone you care about has died, you’ve lost a job, or a relationship has ended, it’s natural to be sad. But depression is more than just being sad. It can also be feeling irritable and restless. Or it could be feeling “empty” inside, and not enjoying the things you used to do. Sometimes it shows up as feeling guilty about being happy at all after a loss, because you feel as though you…

Sorry for the lengthy absence! This is the third part of a series that was published in the local paper, again with light editing.

“Suppose,” Abraham asks God, “there were fifty righteous people in Sodom; would you really sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people within it?”

When confronted with the possibility of a loss, it is natural to bargain. If the boss threatens to fire us, we may offer to work harder, or maybe take a pay-cut. If a…

The is the second part of a series that was previously published in a local paper. I've lightly edited it for this platform; again, although it reflects my Quaker approach to chaplaincy, this isn't explicitly "Quaker." Any thoughts or feedback would be welcome.

Job was a righteous man who lost almost everything: his children, his flocks, and his health. And he was angry about it. He wasn't angry at any particular person, not the bandits who made off with his flocks, not with his…

The following is something I published in the local paper; as such, it's not explicitly Quaker, but reflects my Quaker perspective. There's more to come, feedback is welcome.  

Everyone experiences loss at some point in their lives. Death is the largest loss: whether facing our own mortality, or dealing with the passing of a loved one, it is a life-altering experience. But we face many kinds of losses in all parts of our lives, such as the loss of a job, or of a relationship.…

The chaplain is not here to tell you that everything will be okay. 

In the long run, maybe. But we get to that "long run" faster when we're willing to be in the moment, even when it's unpleasant. 

I still think the best Biblical advice for helping people cope with loss is found in the book of Job, chapter two, verse thirteen: "They sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw…