“Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7-NIV) With this simple request, a man and a woman begin a life-giving conversation that touches the depths of the woman’s heart. And when you look deeper, the exchange provides powerful insights on healthy boundaries.

Did you know 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence? Additionally, more than 70% describe benefits like improvements in work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills after working with a coach.

Change is inevitable. It seems to happen frequently in our lives, especially these days. And it can be difficult to know how to embrace – or even endure – it. Because the truth is, many of us prefer to stay the course of the tried-and-true when faced with change.

We are in a unique time in the history of the church, a time that affords congregations the opportunity to honestly and openly reflect on who they are as a faith community and who they are being called to be.

To meet increasing needs, we have welcomed three new therapists, a director of consulting, a screening specialist for TeenHope, a client service coordinator and a finance manager over the past few months.

Executive Director Steve Schedler shares his holiday wishes and a short update on Samaritan Counseling Center. To add to the Christmas spirit, Licensed Professional Counselor Judith Kennedy provides a beautiful, contemplative poem she wrote while reflecting on the holiday.

Spiritual direction is not therapy. Instead, working with a spiritual director provides an opportunity to explore your questions, as well as any situations causing them.

In one week’s time, our future son-in-law arrived in America, we hosted a bridal shower, and our first grandchild was born. And then the world shut down.

In today’s world, it’s easy to confuse the number of “likes” and followers on social media for friendship and community. But what really defines a friend?