Hello Friends.
Congratulations on the hiring of your next minister. What divine timing, that Rev. Viola is coming back to the area right when you have needed new leadership. I will be staying on through July, helping with any transitions, and then returning once a month (or so) as my schedule allows. I can’t imagine disconnecting entirely after all the love we’ve shared these past months. Thank you for welcoming me, for being open to new ideas and for your willingness to go to places of honesty and healing. It’s been an honor.
A couple of things:
Marian Bigelow and I will host an open conversation on end of life on Sunday, June 7, after service.
If you are so inclined, please consider volunteering for the local hospice house, Mary’s Haven. My friend, Lissa Mariano, is the Executive Director. Some of you were there when she spoke on Sunday morning a few weeks ago. Here is the link to the volunteer application and Lissa’s contact info:
https://forms.office.com/r/Zx8Nm1ctzh
Lissa Mariano
35 New Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
maryshaven@swwcc.org
MH Landline 518.584.9397 | Fax 518.584.4997
The SAM Project: Spiritual and Meaningful
I have mentioned this a couple of times: my son, Sam, and I are working to develop a new delivery system to get spiritual care to our senior population. Because I have noticed, in my many years of chaplaincy and ministry, that we have gotten very good at extending life while often hollowing out what makes it worth living. SAM is our attempt to address the human need for meaning, connection, identity, and purpose, until the very end of life.
The platform combines human connection with current technology. The idea is largely to take the model of hospital chaplaincy and place most of it online. We have been working on this since January of 2025, with the help of many fabulous people, including Angela Presley at the Dartmouth Magnuson Center, several of my chaplain friends, directors of senior living communities, and people in business development, law, and technology.
The project is now at the point where we need a cohort of users to help us refine its capabilities. This is where YOU come in! If you are interested in knowing more, and potentially being part of the pilot program, join me for a coffee chat after service on May 24, or drop me a line at melissa519@me.com and I’ll be happy to answer any questions. It would be a commitment of 2-3 months, trying the various aspects of the platform and giving us feedback. Sam and I and our wonderful band of humans trying to improve the quality of life for everyone in our senior years, will be deeply grateful.
Warmest blessings,
Melissa