When flames consume a home, what families remember most is not always the fire. Sometimes, it’s the face of the person who showed up when everything else was gone. That face is often Mary’s. A longtime volunteer supported through United Way of Central Illinois, Mary responds after housefires to provide emergency supplies and emotional support. […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
The many connections between immigrants and the U.S. health care system
These days, mention of the word “immigration” often conjures up issues related to politics, the law, culture, economics and even whether getting a speeding ticket makes a person a criminal. As a retired primary care physician with no special expertise in immigrant health care who was invited by a friend to join the Springfield Immigrant […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Harnessing the Spirit
The Netflix movie The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, based on the memoir of William Kamkwamba, is an inspiring story about a young boy’s ingenuity and determination to overcome adversity. William Kamkwamba was born in 1987 into a Christian family in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was a mystery. It was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A crisis of conscience
How can he say that? Why can they say that? Why do they do that? What happened to their consciences? Conscience! Conscience? What is conscience? What is so important about conscience? What role does it really play in everyday life? What happens when conscience is applied? What happens when conscience is abandoned? What happens when […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ageism: The last acceptable prejudice?
Quick! Finish this sentence with the first words that come to you: Elderly people _______________________. Did you make a positive statement? Then good for you; you haven’t bought into the stereotypes of this youth-obsessed society! Or perhaps it’s just that you’re a “senior citizen” like me who chafes at the persistently negative images of older […]
Posted inArts & Culture
UIS commencement is an exciting time for graduates and their families
Earlier this month, I stood on the stage at Sangamon Auditorium and shook more than a 1,000 hands as we honored the University of Illinois Springfield Class of 2025. It was a weekend full of pride and reflection. Commencement is one of the most meaningful times of the year for me, and this year was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Torah provides a framework for freedom
Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, which falls this year on Monday, June 2, originated in biblical times as an agricultural festival, the culmination of the spring grain harvest, which began around the time of Passover with the reaping of barley and concluded with the gathering of wheat. It was also the commencement of the season […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Explore your creative side with LLCC this summer
Last summer, I had the chance to visit Lincoln Land Community College’s first Media Makers Camp. As I arrived at our Medical District location in downtown Springfield, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew that participation was good, with all the seats having filled. I knew that the professor who was leading the camp […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Heartland HOUSED expands community outreach efforts
We all benefit from support systems that help us navigate life’s challenges and difficulties. At times, that support may come from a family member, mentor or teacher who guides us and helps us grow. In other seasons, it might take the form of a loan, a public benefit or advice on how to handle a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Missing indigenous women: An invitation to care
You might have anticipated that this month I’d be writing a eulogy for Pope Francis, who died April 20. True, I am sad at his passing – sometimes when my heart remembers he is gone I feel the void. But more than sad, I am grateful for the gift of his life and the witness […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Faith, art and advocacy
Members and friends of Westminster Presbyterian Church will gather on Founders’ Sunday, May 18, to celebrate 190 years of faith, art and advocacy. Our story begins with faith and a commitment to advocacy. The 30 founding members who signed the church charter on May 26, 1835, had strong abolitionist convictions and positive initiatives advocating justice […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Community comes together for United Way’s Spring Day of Action
Last week, more than 200 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and made a big difference across Springfield and nearby communities during the Spring Day of Action hosted by United Way of Central Illinois. The day started with a special volunteer appreciation lunch at the Salvation Army. Volunteers gathered to enjoy delicious food from Café Moxo, […]
