by David Stippick | Jul 13, 2026 | Opinion
I am a chaplain who works primarily with people near the end of their lives. I have sat in a room with a man whose only visitor was his brother and I have been present with people who died with no one there for them. This occurs for any number of reasons. Healthcare...
by Delaney Metcalf | May 27, 2026 | Opinion
This article details the healthcare advance directive and medical power-of-attorney process for the state of North Carolina. Documentation procedures vary by state. Most people think an advance directive is a stack of legal paperwork they’ll deal with “someday.” In...
by Delaney Metcalf | Feb 24, 2026 | Opinion
Silence is often misunderstood. Many people imagine it as emptiness, withdrawal or passivity. But in spiritual care, silence is one of the most active, relational and transformative practices we have. It creates space for grounding, clarity and connection within...
by Frederick Clarkson | Feb 3, 2026 | Analysis
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a veterans hospital in Minneapolis, was killed by officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol last month. He is being memorialized nationwide, but chaplains at Veterans Affairs facilities in Massachusetts have been barred from...
by Delaney Metcalf | Dec 10, 2025 | Opinion
There’s a pattern in human nature where people die in winter. This appears because of increased darkness, the colder weather affecting our bodies, and people hanging on until they say goodbye to loved ones. If you’re in the hospital, you might have a chaplain stop by...
