Packing Up I'm packing up my office, because I'm retiring from Columbia Lutheran Home after five years as chaplain. The most important things I'll take with me aren't in the things I'm finding in drawers or on shelves. The most important things I'm taking are the memories I'm carrying out of here in my soul.
On a typical Sunday morning for the past three years, my day at Columbia Lutheran Home started with me wheeling the portable altar into Luther Hall and preparing for Sunday worship. For the next few hours each week, I gathered residents, led worship, and wheeled residents back to their rooms. Our Sunday morning ritual was
Thought of the Day Each morning for at least the past month, we've been broadcasting a Thought of the Day on the intercom at Columbia Lutheran. Here's one of our Thoughts of the Day from me, Pastor Mary As you know--I, Pastor Mary, am not a spring chicken. It's true--I went to college in the
Columbia Lutheran Home set up a table at a recent church convention where pastors and lay leaders were gathered. We talked to those who stopped by the table about our ministry. We asked them to write prayers on note cards. Our goal was to gather 100 prayers for our residents in honor of Columbia's
Two Years of Learning; Many Decades of Living I am about to celebrate my second anniversary as chaplain of Columbia Lutheran Home. The past two years have absolutely flown by. Why? I can think of three reasons… Residents - I've said hello and goodbye to dozens of residents over the last two years. Each
No Foolin' - April is National Poetry Month! Indeed, April is National Poetry Month. And what better way to celebrate than with a poem! This poem is credited to an anonymous writer of age. I Love to Live Today, dear Lord, I'm 80, and there's much I haven't done. I hope, dear Lord, you'll
Every day little things happen at Columbia that remind us--this place is full of life! Here are a few sights I noticed during this snowy month of February.Friendly greetings at the front desk.Icicles near the outside water fountain.Coffee-bearing family members and visitors.Cheers during bowling games.Rides for staff members stranded by the snow.Social workers and finance
Happy or Content by Bill Digleria Mr. Digleria is a current Resident of Columbia Lutheran Home. His piece will be published in These Days, a daily devotion book, January 2019 Since I was diagnosed with cancer about seven years ago, I have had time to reminisce, contemplate, and do all those things you're supposed
During this National Volunteer Week, I'd like to thank the volunteer chaplains who share the weekly ministry at Columbia Lutheran Home. Deacon Earl Grout can be found visiting residents at Columbia every Friday, as he has been doing for years. Earl brings a keen listening ear and offers wonderful prayers and rituals in the
"Armloads of blessings." Don't you love that phrase? The words are from Psalm 126, and they provide an apt description of the abundance at Columbia Lutheran Home. Here are 10 things I've noticed since my arrival as chaplain for which I give thanks. Friendships among residents - They spring up and brighten lives.
