Minister Articles

by Rev. Analisa Domenica

Teachings

Even through the smoky haze of charred and pungent mind ash,
It is clear to see
And sometimes painful to watch
The writhing throes of agony he endures
In order to know.
He screams and cries and wails
Proclaiming he will quit soon
(“I’ll end this search! I’m done! I cannot get there!”)
Because this feverish exhaustion of seeking
May just be getting the better of him.

On some afternoons, still,
He knocks at the door
Of someone who appears to know.
This one who appe…

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

When Shakespeare’s Ophelia said, “There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” she was parroting a well-known fact in Elizabethan times.

For the Greeks and Romans, rosemary was a sacred plant, used for religious ceremonies and carried at both weddings and funerals. Traces of rosemary have been found in the tombs of Pharaohs and it was also planted on graves in Asia. In France, it was a fumigant for sick rooms and churches. The English covered pounded-dirt floors with these…

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

One of the first remedies created by Dr. Bach, this flower’s name says it all. The negative Impatiens state is common and easily identified. Who cannot relate to the word “impatience” and the accompanying irritability and ill-temper of this state of being, even if this is only seen in the frustration of driving behind a slow car when you’re late for an appointment? But for some of us, impatience is more a “way of life,” or can become prominent under a certain circumstance…

by Rev. Annie Nelson

Hello ADL Community! I hope this time finds you doing well, in good health and enjoying the change of the seasons with family and friends.

Often when I say the word “hello” I think about the song with that title (by Adele); and it always makes me smile and feel hopeful, for the lyrics are about reconnecting, which is an important aspect of life and much needed now where life still appears to be in some form of flux.

So I went on a quest to find people, places, and things …

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

February holds Valentine’s Day, our holiday of hearts. For this reason, it has become the Month of Love. But no matter when or where Love is invoked and honored, we may find the rose.

It is impossible to fully chronicle the history of man’s love affair with roses in a short article. Its beauty, aromatic qualities and effects have been cherished since historical records of time began. We know that it was one of the first essences to be extracted and chosen for personal fr…

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

The Solar Rays are in the fixed air sign Aquarius as February begins. Dr. Bach chose Water Violet for the sign of Aquarius and describes it as: “For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Very quiet people, who move about without noise, speak little, and then gently. Very independent, capable, and self-reliant. Almost free of the opinions of others. They are aloof, leave people alone and go their own way. Often clever and talented. Their peace and calmness are a…

Annie Nelson is a new ministerial student with ADL and a hypnotherapist in North Carolina. Every month she writes a column for her neighborhood paper and February's concept was on hope. We thought it might also be a good sentiment to share with the ADL community. Welcome, Annie and thank you.

Annie’s Corner (February 2021)

Hello Neighbor! I hope you are in good health, optimistic about the year ahead, and are enjoying our winter season.

The New Year always finds me doing some soul searching; …

By Revs. Brian and Pam Crissey

Here in Western North Carolina, we gathered 20 people around a sacred fire that was started ceremoniously at the moment of solstice at 5:04 a.m. and kept going until sunset. Everyone was smudged, and we carried out the ancient Aboriginal commencement ceremony for gathering around a fire, each one facing the fire, giving a gift, tapping Mother Earth six times and then being joined by the next one to the right, until all tapped together six times and the group was a…

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

There is no better way to begin the Aromatic Year than with a discussion of Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), as it is generally thought of as “the one essence to have if you can have only one.” The beautiful purple flowers have made Lavender a popular garden plant in many countries. From ancient times, it has been used as a strewing, sachet, and bath herb (its name deriving from the Latin lavare, to wash.) For aromatic qualities, the finest Lavender is produced in Englan…

by Rev. Shellie Enteen

By way of introduction, the first series of articles on the Bach Flower of the Month will focus on the Twelve Healers. These were the original remedies discovered in the 1920s and 30s by English physician Dr. Edward Bach as he searched for a totally noninvasive method to heal all ills—physical, mental, and emotional—a goal he had since childhood. He was an intuitive, observant ‘sensitive’ who recognized the effect of the mind’s negative vibration on the body and the resul…