Becoming a Military Wife
This is an identity I never anticipated claiming. The daughter of a father who was drafted during Vietnam, I have not always held the military in the highest esteem.
Read MoreJustice for Military Families
As newlyweds (married in June at North Parish of North Andover in Massachusetts), we have done our fair share of paperwork. The process of changing names (I took her last name, if you’re curious), joining finances, and other efforts have proven to be both challenging and exciting as we start our lives as a married couple.
Read MoreA Transcendent Bit of Yarn
A member of my congregation was due to become a mother for the first time, and the women gathered for a Blessing Way. This ancient tradition is used to offer love and blessings to the soon-to-be mother and prepare her for the beautiful and wonderful experiences of childbirth and mothering.
Read MoreCommentary on “A Veteran’s Day Confession for America”
War is toxic—tragedy, waste and profiteering are an inevitable part of even the so-called “good wars.”
Read MorePreparing the Warrior Spirit
2012-09-27 It is the middle of the night and my unit has landed at Bangor International Airport, in Maine, for a short stopover before we leave American soil for Afghanistan. We will not be home for many months. We hope we will all come home alive, but in war, as in life, there are risks,…
Read MoreEmbracing the Soul to Heal War’s Pain
Psychotherapist Ed Tick has presented training sessions on post-traumatic stress disorder for 2,000 of the Army’s chaplains at retreats from Hawaii to Florida during the past year.
Read MoreWhen the Chaplain Gets Killed
Last night I had dinner at the Goetz Dining Facility (DFAC) at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Walton, which is a short helicopter flight from Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Read MorePrayer for the Warrior’s Return
I wrote this prayer sitting in a military chapel in Afghanistan. The prayer was inspired by my encounter with a service-member I met.
Read MoreThe Way of Tea
I packed my dōgu (tea utensils) before I left for Afghanistan. My set comes from Japan and includes a chasen (whisk), chashaku (tea scoop), chawan (tea bowl), fukusa (silk cloth), kama (iron kettle), and natsume (tea caddy).
Read MoreA Veteran’s Day Confession for America
On this Veteran’s Day Let us confess our sins before God and neighbor.
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