It seems to be a common headline that we will not, or in many cases should not, return to “normal” after Covid-19. The “should not”, of course, referring to positive changes or adaptations we were forced or encouraged to make, such as more interaction with and attention to family at home, to...

I'm sitting here watching the news of Black Lives Matter protests and “Take It Down” chants accompanying the removal of historical statues, and in this moment I am humbled by both the tremendous honor and the burden that each of us living in this time must bear. In 1493 the flag of the Spanish g...

My dear fellow chaplains, It is my fervent hope that you and your loved ones are, and remain, healthy and strong as we navigate the current storm. Wherever I am or who or what I am listening to, the one thing I keep hearing these days is, “things are/will be different”, or “this is the [&helli...

My dear brothers and sisters in state service, Shalom! Having recently completed the festival of Chanukah, I am reminded of a powerful lesson from the candles, given by my teacher and mentor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe: “It's luminous, it's warm, it's romantic; but most of all it's spiritual. A yellow ...

We continue our journey through Fall towards winter, with the hour change, the colder weather and the more prevalent darkness. We see the reality of cyclical decay, darkness, and death, which will later give way to new birth. Of course, we know this change is coming and we prepare for it, even accep...

“How can I align my life with that spiritual intelligence that is written within my own DNA?” The Sun comes up, evening morning and we offer prayer and song to greet the new day. Everything comes alive and wakes up; water, plants, people, animals, birds, and the trees. And in turn, night follows...

For the past four years my father has been suffering from, and declining from, Alzheimer’s disease. And for over a year now he has been at a care facility. I try and make it every week or so to see him and admittedly I often find myself doing it more for the sake of giving […]...

Sitting in the shade arbor, listening to the brightly colored prayer flags flapping in the breeze. Looking around on the far side of the camp, I see elders talking with their families and children laughing near the camp kitchen. Close by a circle of young men, sit with their drumsticks around a larg...

Bulletproof Faith The condemned seek solace from their death row companion, a chaplain Father George Williams, the Catholic chaplain at San Quentin State Prison, wears a bulletproof vest as he celebrates mass for death row inmates. (Photo courtesy: San Quentin State Prison) By Rachel Fobar The Medil...

ACCSS Newsletter June 2018 As the newly elected President, it is my pleasure to share with you what the Association of California Chaplains in State Service is about and the importance of the association for all of us chaplains. Additionally, I would like to try and explain what we stand for, as ...