The Origin of George's Ministry:

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"Two weeks after retiring in 2013, I met with the Volunteer Department at a local hospital. After many years of working with people, I wished to stay involved and active in meaningful work. No stuffing envelopes! I was thinking I would be part of the dog therapy program. You would go in a patient room with a dog and everyone smiled. The Volunteer Director, Tonja Inlaw, who was aware of my previous work with senior citizens, suggested, “Why don’t you become a Chaplain?“ I said, "Like Father Mulcahey from the TV show, "MASH"?"

I had second thoughts. While I did visits to hospitals and nursing homes, these were people I knew, and most of the time my staff came with me. This was very different: I would be alone with people that I never met. I decided to try it with the provision that, if it didn’t work out, I would work with the therapy dogs. When I completed the training, I shadowed the experienced Chaplains, and later on I'd report to the Hospital expecting to shadow a Chaplain... and was surprised to learn I am going to “fly solo.” "You are ready!" I am!? "Report to the fourth floor!"

Did anyone ever talk you into riding a roller coaster? Remember the feeling when the ride is slowly going up? Ever ask yourself, "why did I do this? I want to get off. The scary part is about to begin." This is exactly how I felt as I went from the first to the fourth floor to visit my first patients, alone. It was awkward... and the next room I visited felt the same... and the next. But we prayed, talked, and it got better with each patient I visited. The nervousness was eventually replaced with anticipation of the next visit. Today it’s among my best experiences ever. A privilege to serve... of connection and faith."