spiritual writings

The Lawyer Is In the House!

Gentle Readers, I was blessed to run a soup kitchen for fourteen years in Upstate New York where I was pastor at The Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church. During most of my tenure, I was aided greatly by many members of the community, including Steven Gottlieb, Esquire. Steven was a tireless volunteer. He ran a…Read more The Lawyer Is In the House!

Ashes on the Highway

Blessed to have this piece published in the May edition of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, edited by Jessica Brodie.    I confess I start a bit late and miss a few of the early morning faithful on their way to school and work, but the long, unwieldy piece of donated plywood needs a coat…Read more Ashes on the Highway

Chicken, Lima Beans and Love

Cherished Readers, I was blessed to have this article published in April's edition of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, a great denominational paper edited by Jessica Brodie.  I am grateful and delighted to share it.  Thank you for reading! Darlene   Chicken, Lima Beans and Love: The Langley UMC Feeds Veterans The buses pull…Read more Chicken, Lima Beans and Love

A Call Story

Recently published in the South Carolina Advocate, this story was edited from a longer, earlier work in progress on this very blog.  Thank you for being here and for reading this. Rev. Darlene Kelley     The Langley UMC       September 8, 2018 A Call Story   A compact park occupies the corner…Read more A Call Story

Love Heals: Chapter Two

I once threw up on my front door--proud that I’d shut that door with my date on the other side--before commencing.  The cherries from the Manhattans I’d been sucking down all night created a stain, and you could still see a faint red mark in a certain light even after a coat of paint.  It’s…Read more Love Heals: Chapter Two

Part One: Love Heals

Love heals. It’s easy, and it’s difficult. And it’s a process. That’s one of the difficult demands—patience. People want to be “cured”. They desire the instant gratification of the miraculous, but real healing is a process that may take time and produce unexpected results. Some folks are stuck. They’re like hamsters on a wheel. Year…Read more Part One: Love Heals

A Couple of Things I Learned on Vacation

It’s easy to criticize, and three weeks does not a lifetime make, but I am emotionally perceptive, observant and empathetic; and I am certain people are treating one another better in southern Italy than we are here in the States. It could be the weather. It’s warm and sunny in southern Italy. I’ve always found…Read more A Couple of Things I Learned on Vacation

We’re a Community Based Organization that Worships!

  Our churches are empty, and if M. Scott Peck is right and all things of significance are over-determined then there’s more than one reason for that. Mom and Dad no longer shine your patent leather shoes and take you to Sunday school while they head upstairs to listen to Rev. Bailey. It’s no longer…Read more We’re a Community Based Organization that Worships!

The Caring Hands Soup Kitchen Hour

A podcast sponsored by our wonderful friends at Leahy Funeral Home.   Steven Gottlieb is the good friend reading the copy between stories.  Hope you enjoy and donate to Caring Hands  P.O. Box 1099 Kingston, NY 12402