The Gathering

Sundays at 11am in Downtown Lafayette

The Gathering

Sundays at 11am in Downtown Lafayette

Dr. Will’s Reflections

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  • Dr. Will’s Teaching Sunday September 14th

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    Dr. Will’s Teaching Sunday September 14th

    Today’s scripture is Acts 9 the conversion of the Apostle Paul. It marks a significant beginning of the new Christian movement out into the surrounding world. The beginning of the ministry of Saul, now named Paul will spread the movement of the Gospel of Jesus out to the world. Paul becomes the principle power galvanizing the spread of the Gospel. It is the beginning of a new Kingdom with a clear agenda of faith hope and love. How are we doing these two thousand years later? The violence this past week is a stark and tragic reminder that we need…

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  • The Good Shepherd: What I Learned About Sheep

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    The Good Shepherd: What I Learned About Sheep

    Growing up on the East Coast, I naturally had very little exposure to agriculture. I knew it was a massive enterprise, but it seemed far removed from my world—first in Brooklyn, where I was born, and later on Long Island, where I lived. Farming was something that happened “out there,” in distant, rural places. I held a vague admiration for people who worked the land and tended livestock, but it remained a detached curiosity. That changed when I was asked to teach on the passage where Jesus calls himself “The Good Shepherd.” The phrase, of course, made sense to me…

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  • Pope Leo

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    Pope Leo

    The exciting news in 2025 was the selection of a new Pope for the Catholic Church. The announcement surprised and galvanized the world. Robert Prevost is a  Chicago native and a Cardinal with a long resume of international service to the church. He has strong scholarly achievements and a noted commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. And he promises to continue the legacy of his predecessor Pope Francis. He is a leader for our time and devoted to the Christian faith. Reading about his background I was taken aback by how I could relate to his early life. I…

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  • Police Chaplain (Victim Advocate) Part Two

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    Police Chaplain (Victim Advocate) Part Two

    I was called to a “death scene” some months ago. I have done this many times for area departments. Each situation is unique but all are tragic and life altering. And my role is always the same. I am there as a victim advocate first and primarily for those present at the scene. There are typically witnesses, family members and neighbors, most in full-blown shock. So it’s imperative that I maintain a presence that is at once calming and normative. I can help the victims with information from the first responders on scene without interfering with their work. In some…

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  • Chaplain & Victim Advocate

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    Chaplain & Victim Advocate

    When you hear the term “chaplain” what comes to mind? I suspect it might be depictions in media. I think of Father Mulcahy in the television show “Mash” where he portrayed the role of a priest chaplain serving in a military unit. There is a long tradition of chaplains of all faiths serving in the military, even in areas of active combat. In addition, chaplains are common in law enforcement agencies, as well. Most police agencies, as well as fire departments, use hired or volunteer local clergy to fill the role. And what is this role anyway? It is often…

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