Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson joined us in Baltimore to say goodbye to Lutheran Services in America CEO Jill Schumann. I had a chance to participate. Below is scripture and reflections. Reflections centered on LSAmerica and Jill's contributions. Lutheran social ministry is strong!
Luke 4:16-21
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
I decided to use my few minutes to talk about this piece of string.
In 1520, Martin Luther wrote: “and each one should become as it were a Christ to the other that we may be Christs to one another and Christ may be the same in all…”
That scripture reading and quote from Luther sound familiar to me. Jesus revealed himself and his purpose. Isaiah used the examples of proclaiming to the poor, freedom for prisoners, freeing the oppressed. He could have added home for developmentally disabled children, safety for refugees, care for frail elders, community for retirees, love for foster children, food for the hungry.
Luke and Luther look familiar because they reveal the Christ we see every day in 309 social ministry organizations across the United States. They gave the marching orders to Lutheran social ministry.
Every day Lutheran social ministry proclaims, “the spirit of the Lord is on me.” Every day we proclaim the hope and grace of the year of the Lord’s favor.
Lutheran Services in America was created to connect all of us dots. As LSA, Joanne Negsted led us as our first president and gave us a more collective voice, and gave me competition on the treadmill in many hotel gyms. When she retired, many questioned whether LSA would survive without its strong leader.
God raised up another great leader in Jill Schumann, who has led us ten years further down the road.
Under Jill’s leadership we created ends policies to guide our work. We are called to love and serve our neighbors through our ends with key words like advocacy, capacity, identity, possibility, leading. Leading stands out today. The entire policy is: “LSA and its members, in partnership with others, is leading a movement of hope and grace toward a society that values generosity, inclusion, justice, and mutual care. “ Again, we proclaim the hope and grace of the year of the Lord’s favor.
I will forever keep two visions of Jill in my head.
The night before a presentation for us in NC, Jill stayed with Cheryl and I in Salisbury. I told Jill she could have an office at work for a few hours the next morning or she could use our wifi at the apartment. When I got home from the Y at 6 AM, Jill was already ready and working away at our kitchen counter. Jill’s work ethic and drive for excellence have been a poorly kept secret to her success and an example for all of us.
My other vision is of Jill just back in October standing at the podium in the White House auditorium addressing 160 Lutheran social ministry leaders at our briefing day at the White House. That opportunity is only one example of how high our banner has been raised in large part because of the Jill’s ministry. Is it any wonder Jill has been named to the Nonprofit Times Top 50 Power and Influence list for 9 consecutive years.
String binds things together. We are bound to Christ, bound to the scriptures, bound through Luther’s explanation that we be Christ to each other, and through Lutheran Services in America. Jill, thank you for binding us closer through your ministry. Blessings!
Luke 4:16-21
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
I decided to use my few minutes to talk about this piece of string.
In 1520, Martin Luther wrote: “and each one should become as it were a Christ to the other that we may be Christs to one another and Christ may be the same in all…”
That scripture reading and quote from Luther sound familiar to me. Jesus revealed himself and his purpose. Isaiah used the examples of proclaiming to the poor, freedom for prisoners, freeing the oppressed. He could have added home for developmentally disabled children, safety for refugees, care for frail elders, community for retirees, love for foster children, food for the hungry.
Luke and Luther look familiar because they reveal the Christ we see every day in 309 social ministry organizations across the United States. They gave the marching orders to Lutheran social ministry.
Every day Lutheran social ministry proclaims, “the spirit of the Lord is on me.” Every day we proclaim the hope and grace of the year of the Lord’s favor.
Lutheran Services in America was created to connect all of us dots. As LSA, Joanne Negsted led us as our first president and gave us a more collective voice, and gave me competition on the treadmill in many hotel gyms. When she retired, many questioned whether LSA would survive without its strong leader.
God raised up another great leader in Jill Schumann, who has led us ten years further down the road.
Under Jill’s leadership we created ends policies to guide our work. We are called to love and serve our neighbors through our ends with key words like advocacy, capacity, identity, possibility, leading. Leading stands out today. The entire policy is: “LSA and its members, in partnership with others, is leading a movement of hope and grace toward a society that values generosity, inclusion, justice, and mutual care. “ Again, we proclaim the hope and grace of the year of the Lord’s favor.
I will forever keep two visions of Jill in my head.
The night before a presentation for us in NC, Jill stayed with Cheryl and I in Salisbury. I told Jill she could have an office at work for a few hours the next morning or she could use our wifi at the apartment. When I got home from the Y at 6 AM, Jill was already ready and working away at our kitchen counter. Jill’s work ethic and drive for excellence have been a poorly kept secret to her success and an example for all of us.
My other vision is of Jill just back in October standing at the podium in the White House auditorium addressing 160 Lutheran social ministry leaders at our briefing day at the White House. That opportunity is only one example of how high our banner has been raised in large part because of the Jill’s ministry. Is it any wonder Jill has been named to the Nonprofit Times Top 50 Power and Influence list for 9 consecutive years.
String binds things together. We are bound to Christ, bound to the scriptures, bound through Luther’s explanation that we be Christ to each other, and through Lutheran Services in America. Jill, thank you for binding us closer through your ministry. Blessings!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Let's go to the beach!
Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks residents, staff, volunteers, and Administrator Bill Johnson are at Kure Beach for a couple days.! This is not your grandparent's nursing home. LHTO is about living and living well! Have a ball. Glad the weather is improved!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
National Care Not Cuts campaign: http://carenotcuts.org/ Please consider responding to keep services for our elders.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Lutherans Over Orlando!
I am proud to be a Lutheran, but never more so than today. Sixteen North Carolinians served as voting members to the national Lutheran Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Florida on Aug. 14-19, 2011. I was privileged to be elected to go, and have rarely worked as hard.
North Carolina Bishop Leonard Bolick was recognized for initiating dialogue with the AME Zion Church. That effort led to AME Zion Sr. Bishop George Walker addressing the Assembly on Thursday. The AME Zion and ELCA churches pledged to further collaboration.
The Assembly conducts the legislative business of the church, which is not always fun but very important. The Assembly hears reports from across the church. I learned things I never knew or had forgotten about our church. Lutheran Disaster Response continues to serve in Haiti, where hundreds of thousands are still homeless from the earthquake. LDR is in Joplin, Missouri helping clean up from the tornadoes. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services is resettling Iraqi refugees who supported the U.S. Lutheran Services in America (LSA and LFS are strong members) provides direct services to one in fifty Americans! How’s that for serving!
Lutherans in the United States adopted a plan to raise $15 million to fight hunger in the United States and around the world, and $18 million to fight malaria!
The Assembly debated and passed a social statement on genetics, which provides a theological framework for people to think about cloning, gene therapy, and genetically modified crops. The Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting the Dream Act with just a handful of dissenting votes. The church is living in the real world!
These are just a few gems from a solid week. Each day was centered around a wonderful worship service. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson opened the first worship service with a sermon asking if we were ready to be moved by the Holy Spirit. And what other group do you know that prays before each important vote, and stands and sings a hymn after that vote is taken?
The theme for the Assembly was Freed in Christ to Serve. You are free to go to http://www.elca.org/ and click on the Churchwide Assembly button to learn more about “The Lutherans.”
North Carolina Bishop Leonard Bolick was recognized for initiating dialogue with the AME Zion Church. That effort led to AME Zion Sr. Bishop George Walker addressing the Assembly on Thursday. The AME Zion and ELCA churches pledged to further collaboration.
The Assembly conducts the legislative business of the church, which is not always fun but very important. The Assembly hears reports from across the church. I learned things I never knew or had forgotten about our church. Lutheran Disaster Response continues to serve in Haiti, where hundreds of thousands are still homeless from the earthquake. LDR is in Joplin, Missouri helping clean up from the tornadoes. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services is resettling Iraqi refugees who supported the U.S. Lutheran Services in America (LSA and LFS are strong members) provides direct services to one in fifty Americans! How’s that for serving!
Lutherans in the United States adopted a plan to raise $15 million to fight hunger in the United States and around the world, and $18 million to fight malaria!
The Assembly debated and passed a social statement on genetics, which provides a theological framework for people to think about cloning, gene therapy, and genetically modified crops. The Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting the Dream Act with just a handful of dissenting votes. The church is living in the real world!
These are just a few gems from a solid week. Each day was centered around a wonderful worship service. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson opened the first worship service with a sermon asking if we were ready to be moved by the Holy Spirit. And what other group do you know that prays before each important vote, and stands and sings a hymn after that vote is taken?
The theme for the Assembly was Freed in Christ to Serve. You are free to go to http://www.elca.org/ and click on the Churchwide Assembly button to learn more about “The Lutherans.”
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
A thought from Orlando
I heard a speaker a couple weeks ago tell a variation of the old starfish story. You know, the young boy throwing stranded starfish back in the ocean. He told the man who said what difference can one boy make. The boy says it matters to that one he saved.
In the latest version, the boy has enlisted a bunch of his friends. So he is making a bigger difference to lots of starfish through a group effort.
That's the way I feel about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 4.5 million Lutherans have walked together onto the beach that is our society. Together we are making a difference in the lives of starfish: elders, foster children, refugees, people with developmental disabilities, and on and one. "Together we can" is a theme for Lutheran Services in America. Together we can!
Lutheran Services for the Aging and Lutheran Family Services staff are on that beach with many others being Christ's hands in the world.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
LSA staffer Karen Maddry felt the need to respond to Congress about the impending cuts to Medicare that will harm our elders. At the end of her letter, she writes eloquently:
We have absorbed as much as we can. Enough is enough.
You see the facts above, but sometimes I wonder, do you all realize there are faces behind these cuts?
Faces that deserve the best care we can give them. Faces that have worked hard their whole lives and paid into the system so that when their turns came, that care and assistance would be there for them.
Faces that give that care to others because it means something to them to provide for their elders. Faces that do the best they can each and every day because the people entrusted to their care matter. Faces that want to work and are, therefore, taking their turn paying into the system.
You need to think and look elsewhere for cuts - because at some point in all our lives, we may very well be one of these faces, and wouldn't it be a shame if quality long-term care is only a distant memory by then.
Is anyone listening???
Well said, Karen!
We have absorbed as much as we can. Enough is enough.
You see the facts above, but sometimes I wonder, do you all realize there are faces behind these cuts?
Faces that deserve the best care we can give them. Faces that have worked hard their whole lives and paid into the system so that when their turns came, that care and assistance would be there for them.
Faces that give that care to others because it means something to them to provide for their elders. Faces that do the best they can each and every day because the people entrusted to their care matter. Faces that want to work and are, therefore, taking their turn paying into the system.
You need to think and look elsewhere for cuts - because at some point in all our lives, we may very well be one of these faces, and wouldn't it be a shame if quality long-term care is only a distant memory by then.
Is anyone listening???
Well said, Karen!
I just sent this letter to NC Senators Burr and Hagan and Rep. Watt. Please add your voice! Our seniors are being wronged. Who is there to speak for them?
The letter:
Lutheran Services for the Aging serves over 1,200 North Carolinians every day, employs over 1,200 more North Carolinians, and touches the lives of thousands more. As a provider of high quality long-term services and supports and a member of LeadingAge, I am most concerned about cuts to our field that may result from efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit.
My field already has taken billions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid
reductions:
Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare payments to nursing homes will be cut by over $14 billion over the next ten years. The ACA also contains numerous provisions to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse and to make nursing home operations more transparent.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has just handed down a payment rule for fiscal 2012 that cuts Medicare payment rates to skilled nursing facilities by 11.1% across-the-board. The total reduction in payments to nursing homes may total as much as 20% because the payment rule also corrects billing for therapy services.
Many states have made severe cutbacks in their Medicaid payments to nursing homes over the last two years. Medicaid is the single largest source of operating revenue for nursing homes; we cannot absorb more reductions at the federal level.
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS) was enacted to reduce reliance on Medicaid as a source of financing for long-term care. This program actually will help to reduce the budget deficit according to the Congressional Budget Office. Its implementation needs to continue moving forward.
I understand that you and your colleagues must find ways to reduce the federal budget deficit. However, I must respectfully ask you, on behalf of the people who live and work in my organization, not to direct any more cutbacks to the long-term services and supports sector.
We have absorbed as much as we can. Enough is enough.
Sincerely,
Ted Goins
(704) 754-8220
President
Lutheran Services for the Aging, Inc.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Winston concrete!!!!
Lutheran Home - Winston replacement in full swing. Summit Construction poured over 400 yards of concrete, 27 truck loads. They poured all night on 7-19, bacause it's too hot during the day. Exciting to see such progress! Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I had the opportunity to spend the night as a guest at our Crescent View retirement center on July 10, then work as a certified nursing assistant on June 11. Here is the letter I just sent CV Executive Director Sharon Conoley.
I have had the warm and fuzzies over Crescent View all day! You all are just the best! Eric and Dining Services and everyone associated with the model apartment showed that you all have hospitality down pat! The snack basket was the perfect touch! So, as guests Cheryl and I give you 5 stars!
Then I went to work as a CNA. Except for having my salary reduced by John and getting written up for not wearing slip resistant shoes, it was a great day. Working as a CNA always makes me humble and shows me what kind of people we have who are fulfilling the mission of LSA. Emily and Mary took good care of me, with help from dining, housekeeping, maintenance, marketing, activities, and on and on. CV has a great staff and is a great place to work.
Working as a CNA always reinforces the mission of LSA to express God's love in Christ to our residents. It was especially nice to personally and directly serve the CV residents. They are wonderful and invaluable, and we had a lot of fun.
Thanks for letting me work up there. You and your team are the best! Please pass on my thanks to the entire staff in whatever way best, and please share my thanks with the CV residents. They are why we exist!
See you soon.
Ted
PS I will never admit how much my feet hurt and how stiff my back and knees were this morning!
I have had the warm and fuzzies over Crescent View all day! You all are just the best! Eric and Dining Services and everyone associated with the model apartment showed that you all have hospitality down pat! The snack basket was the perfect touch! So, as guests Cheryl and I give you 5 stars!
Then I went to work as a CNA. Except for having my salary reduced by John and getting written up for not wearing slip resistant shoes, it was a great day. Working as a CNA always makes me humble and shows me what kind of people we have who are fulfilling the mission of LSA. Emily and Mary took good care of me, with help from dining, housekeeping, maintenance, marketing, activities, and on and on. CV has a great staff and is a great place to work.
Working as a CNA always reinforces the mission of LSA to express God's love in Christ to our residents. It was especially nice to personally and directly serve the CV residents. They are wonderful and invaluable, and we had a lot of fun.
Thanks for letting me work up there. You and your team are the best! Please pass on my thanks to the entire staff in whatever way best, and please share my thanks with the CV residents. They are why we exist!
See you soon.
Ted
PS I will never admit how much my feet hurt and how stiff my back and knees were this morning!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Memorial Day at Lutheran Home - Albemarle
Mr. Warren Sorenson, husband of Lutheran Home - Albemarle resident Evelyn Sorenson, came to visit her today dressed in his military uniform. Mr. Sorenson is one of those heroes we need to remember every day. Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day and the LSA Way!
Part of the LSA Way is remembering. Today is Memorial Day, the day the USA set aside to honor all members of our military forces who have died in service to our country. So today, we remember all of the men and women who have given their lives so we can enjoy the lives we live today. From the Revolution on, men and women have risen to the occasion and often been called to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Where would we be today without them?
All across LSA we will have picnics and cookouts and events to honor the fallen. We do that as citizens and because we care for so many widows and widowers whose spouses died in service to country. We will also use it as an opportunity to thank our staff, friends, and families who serve in the armed services today.
Please join me today in celebrating the heroes who died for us, those they left behind, and those who serve us today.
Thanks. And have a powerful Memeorial Day!
All across LSA we will have picnics and cookouts and events to honor the fallen. We do that as citizens and because we care for so many widows and widowers whose spouses died in service to country. We will also use it as an opportunity to thank our staff, friends, and families who serve in the armed services today.
Please join me today in celebrating the heroes who died for us, those they left behind, and those who serve us today.
Thanks. And have a powerful Memeorial Day!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The latest edition of LSA Voices is in the mail. Here is he latest Goings On (picture above is Abundant Living Executive Director Barbara Garwood with Wilson Smith; other picture is Mrs. Cleo Miller and me):
The lines often get blurred in my professional and personal life, which is fine with me. Luther wrote about vocation and I am blessed that my vocation is directly related to the church. I lost two good friends in April who were related to both my work and personal life.
I wrote about Ms. Cleo (Cleo Miller) in a recent issue of LSA Voices. She died in April at the grand age of 96. I knew her all my life, and took baths in her kitchen sink when I was just 6 months old. One of the most attentive sons I've ever seen, her son Dent, asked me to say a few words at her funeral. I shared that when God woke up that morning he smelled fresh pound cake! I shared that comment because it said all that need be said about my friend Cleo. She is in heaven most assuredly and pound cake is a wonderful expression of her hospitality that included her always-positive outlook and great sense of humor. Ms. Cleo always had a pound cake in the house, and I ate more than my share! Everyone always felt welcome at Cleo's.
We can all learn from Ms. Cleo's example. When I wrote about her, I mentioned how many seniors are out there who can or could share their lives with us. I ended then and will ask again, "Who is your Cleo?" Go find your Cleo and you'll gain more than you can ever give.
We lost another friend in April, Wilson Smith. Many of you knew him as a co-founder of Food Lion. I first knew him 30 years ago as a greeter at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He always welcomed me like we were best friends. Imagine my surprise when I found out who he was. Sitting at his funeral, I reflected on his life and his many connections to LSA. Now, the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks might have been built without his personal and financial support, but it would not be what it is today. It would be easy to argue that Trinity Oaks and Abundant Living Adult Day Services might not be here at all if were it not for Mr. Smith. His personal support, advice, service on the Board, and financial support were instrumental in having a full continuum of senior services in Rowan County. His vocation led him to serve LSA and many other important ministries and services.
Above all, Mr. Smith was a genuinely nice person. He served as an example of Christian love and stewardship for me and for many others until his death at the age of 93. Now I have two new questions, "Who is your Mr. Smith?" and "Can you be Mr. Smith to someone today?"
The lines often get blurred in my professional and personal life, which is fine with me. Luther wrote about vocation and I am blessed that my vocation is directly related to the church. I lost two good friends in April who were related to both my work and personal life.
I wrote about Ms. Cleo (Cleo Miller) in a recent issue of LSA Voices. She died in April at the grand age of 96. I knew her all my life, and took baths in her kitchen sink when I was just 6 months old. One of the most attentive sons I've ever seen, her son Dent, asked me to say a few words at her funeral. I shared that when God woke up that morning he smelled fresh pound cake! I shared that comment because it said all that need be said about my friend Cleo. She is in heaven most assuredly and pound cake is a wonderful expression of her hospitality that included her always-positive outlook and great sense of humor. Ms. Cleo always had a pound cake in the house, and I ate more than my share! Everyone always felt welcome at Cleo's.
We can all learn from Ms. Cleo's example. When I wrote about her, I mentioned how many seniors are out there who can or could share their lives with us. I ended then and will ask again, "Who is your Cleo?" Go find your Cleo and you'll gain more than you can ever give.
We lost another friend in April, Wilson Smith. Many of you knew him as a co-founder of Food Lion. I first knew him 30 years ago as a greeter at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He always welcomed me like we were best friends. Imagine my surprise when I found out who he was. Sitting at his funeral, I reflected on his life and his many connections to LSA. Now, the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks might have been built without his personal and financial support, but it would not be what it is today. It would be easy to argue that Trinity Oaks and Abundant Living Adult Day Services might not be here at all if were it not for Mr. Smith. His personal support, advice, service on the Board, and financial support were instrumental in having a full continuum of senior services in Rowan County. His vocation led him to serve LSA and many other important ministries and services.
Above all, Mr. Smith was a genuinely nice person. He served as an example of Christian love and stewardship for me and for many others until his death at the age of 93. Now I have two new questions, "Who is your Mr. Smith?" and "Can you be Mr. Smith to someone today?"
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Learning and Re-learning
A few years ago (who knows since time flies when you’re having fun), James Kouzes presented on his book, A Leader’s Legacy, at AAHSA. I was taken with the book. It opened my eyes to new ideas on leadership and confirmed some of my partially developed thinking. After AAHSA, we studied the book as the LSA leadership as part of our internal and personal education process. Today I am headed to a Lutheran Services in America conference where one of the sessions is on A Leader’s Legacy.
When I saw the topic and received another copy of the book, I was not particularly thrilled, since we have already plowed that ground. I brought my old copy of the book as I had already marked it up, circling and underlining my favorite parts. On the plane this morning, I started re-reviewing. The book has so many good points. It was a great refresher. It also reminded me of at least in part why we moved it some directions as an organization and why I moved it some directions. Por exampla: In the corner of one page talking about how we have to progress even when we are so comfortable with the old way, I had written Electronic Medical Records. Today, EMR is one of our most important and successful initiatives for the future. The book encourages a lifelong commitment to education. I just completed a Masters program. Hmmmm…..
Here is a laundry list of some of the concepts discussed in the book that at least influenced our/my behavior: servanthood, passion, education, feedback, collaboration, 100% responsibility, want to be liked, constructive insubordination, Crucial Confrontations, empowerment, honesty, followership, courage, trust, RPMs (Rosa Parks Moments), grace, ok to fail, baby steps in the right direction. This book is packed!
Now, I have heard the author, read the book with our team, and am heading out to hear it again. But now I’m looking forward to hearing the presenter’s view, and hearing the perspective of the 49 other CEOs attending this meeting have to share. To a good meeting…!
When I saw the topic and received another copy of the book, I was not particularly thrilled, since we have already plowed that ground. I brought my old copy of the book as I had already marked it up, circling and underlining my favorite parts. On the plane this morning, I started re-reviewing. The book has so many good points. It was a great refresher. It also reminded me of at least in part why we moved it some directions as an organization and why I moved it some directions. Por exampla: In the corner of one page talking about how we have to progress even when we are so comfortable with the old way, I had written Electronic Medical Records. Today, EMR is one of our most important and successful initiatives for the future. The book encourages a lifelong commitment to education. I just completed a Masters program. Hmmmm…..
Here is a laundry list of some of the concepts discussed in the book that at least influenced our/my behavior: servanthood, passion, education, feedback, collaboration, 100% responsibility, want to be liked, constructive insubordination, Crucial Confrontations, empowerment, honesty, followership, courage, trust, RPMs (Rosa Parks Moments), grace, ok to fail, baby steps in the right direction. This book is packed!
Now, I have heard the author, read the book with our team, and am heading out to hear it again. But now I’m looking forward to hearing the presenter’s view, and hearing the perspective of the 49 other CEOs attending this meeting have to share. To a good meeting…!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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