Category: Life Transition

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Wittenberg English Ministry

It has been a privilege to serve through Wittenberg English Ministry (WEM) in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany.   WEM began 17 years ago through the vision of The Rev. Keith Loesch and the Lord Mayor of Wittenberg.  The concept is to provide a ministry to English speaking peoples as they encounter Wittenberg.  There are three audiences:  tourists […]

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THE JOURNEY BEGINS TO LEAD HOME

This newsletter is finally coming to you from central Germany.  So much has been happening that it has been hard to keep up with this newsletter.  You will find a fairly regular blog on my web site which outlines some of what I have been doing and thinking about. As I serve this summer, I […]

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Reflections From A Wittenberg Coffee House-The Journey Goes Deep

So much has happened since I have last written.  I will be breaking the events of the past week into segments, and, most will come as reflections from the experience at the DIAKONIA World Wide Conference that was held in Berlin from July 1-8.  It was a phenomenal experience to be with 400 deacons and […]

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Reflections From A Wittenberg Coffee Shop-Storms Are Everywhere

Last Thursday there was a powerful lightening and thunderstorm that hit Germany.  Trees came down and one of the LutherFest 500 buses was stopped by a tree in the road.  Participants got out in the rain and tried to move the tree. In the Twin Cities the storms came on Friday night.  I heard of […]

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Swimming Lessons: Reflection, Relearning, Renewal

Recently, I figured out that I took my first swimming lessons 55 years ago.  Yes, I was 10 years old when I started at the YMCA in Decatur, Illinois.  Once I got over my fear of the water, I had a good time swimming, and I really liked to swim. Once again, I am taking […]

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Recent Items

  • The Loneliness Factor

    I was at a luncheon that was serving as a listening post for seniors to describe their sense of loneliness and isolation. I knew that the population invited to this luncheon was one that would probably have a higher sense of isolation, but, what I heard was much more intense than I expected. A man […]

  • Social Networks and Aging

    It is interesting that research is showing two demographics experiencing social isolation in such as way as to impact health: Young Adults (18-22) and Senior Adults (65+). I have worked with both populations over the past 50 years and I continue to be amazed at the similarity of the questions raised by both groups and […]

  • An Eye-Opening Awareness: One More Transition for this Guy

    I sat at a luncheon two weeks ago that opened my eyes to a reality that I knew was there, but as the discussion unfolded I began to realize how the discussion, about to take place, was going to expand my thinking. As I listened to the needs of the people with whom I shared […]

  • TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE: LETTING GOD SET THE AGENDA

    When it comes to the human condition and a desire to change, we can become easily frustrated: we think that we want to change … but we really don’t. Paul expresses this contradiction well in Romans 7:15-24: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do […]

  • The Crisis of Loneliness

    THE NATIONAL CRISIS CALLED LONELINESS From “LINKED IN” “America is becoming Isolation Nation. Nearly half of respondents to a nationwide survey by health insurer Cigna say they always or sometimes feel alone, and 54% say they feel no one knows them well. Such loneliness is connected to increased risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death. The […]