Mark's Web Site: A quiet place with just a bit of pretension.

I've spent the summer in Maine doing a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. The experience ranks as one of the most profound in my life. To simply be present with people as they struggle with the most difficult times of life - serious illness, a loved one dying, or facing death themselves. It is a humbling.

I'm beginning to understand the power that I have as a presence for those I meet. Obviously my relationship with the people I met this summer was predicated on my role as a man of religion. That means different things to different people ... some told me all they believed right from the top. Others just waved and said "I'm all set thanks!" Even then, I feel comfortable being with people in that role. I feel I am making a difference for them.

One thing we considered was the relationship between the physical disease and a dis-ease of the spirit. One patient suffering from lung disease had a partner who spoke quite a bit about her former husband. Now if spirit is wind, prolonged exposure to that kind of conversation might just suck the spirit right out of you.

It's been two months since CPE ended. I feel more comfortable in my role, more focused on my work. I have a long way to go, but I can only get there one day at a time ... I have to pay attention to those I am with now.