I recently presented the following at a Gerontology conference. The impetus for this project was a hospice meeting several years ago (I have been a companionship volunteer for a local hospice organization for nearly four years). The theme of the meeting was "Spirituality and End of Life Care." A panel of local religious leaders from... Continue Reading →
Spirituality and Secularism in Professional Chaplaincy: On the Social Construction of Meaning
Spirituality and Secularism in Professional Chaplaincy: On the Social Construction of Meaning by Jamie Duncan, May 23, 2013 Introduction According to the Association of Professional Chaplains, the professional clinical chaplain's primary role in a hospital setting is to protect the patient's rights, serving "as an advocate for the spiritual values and religious beliefs held by... Continue Reading →
Yael, hero of the people!
Yael, the murderer of Sisera, military leader of the Canaanite chariots, is a controversial character in the history of Biblical commentary, and for good reason. Within the traditionally male-dominated canon, most examination of Yael's character has not been kind. She is typically portrayed as either a victim who preemptively committed murder to save herself, or... Continue Reading →
To Elmore Leonard, with love
Elmore Leonard was a writer's writer. He focused on dialogue. He left out the parts that bored you. He avoided the pitfalls of prologue and description. He allowed you, the reader, to imagine the scene. He wrote fearlessly, offering quick, lean prose that never got in the way of the story. Elmore Leonard gave us dark... Continue Reading →
A Baptist and a Catholic discuss Christian servitude during a hospice meeting
As many of you may know, I am a hospice volunteer. I cannot relate specific details about my experiences, obviously, but I do incorporate them, in anonymous form, into my writing. After all, the powerful moments of human connection that blossom in these visits is too important not to share. On Valentine's Day, 2008, I... Continue Reading →
Pass Three Gates 