In politics, silence is often just as powerful as words. That was certainly the case Monday when Florida State Senator Clay Yarborough, who represents Fernandina Beach, chose not to speak during a …

I celebrated my birthday last week and was struck by a memory of my birthday five years earlier. In 2020, because the weather was warm, my friends opted to take me on a sunset cruise on the Amelia …

COMMENTARY - On Friday, March 7, thousands of Americans will march in demonstrations around the country to protest the federal government’s erosion of scientific research and health services. The Stand Up …

Can you imagine having an encounter that was so important to you that you thought about it for the next 45 years? A meeting like this happened to scholar, theologian, writer, civil rights leader and …

John McClane and Wendell McGahee laughed together after a panel discussion at Memorial United Methodist Church last Thursday evening. They are “homegrown” Fernandina men whose lives have …

A friend of mine is a tireless advocate for animal rescue. She matches her words with actions. Her story reminds me it is possible to make a difference right where you are. She volunteers …

“Is anybody going to say anything?” wondered Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. It was the day before the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, where she would bring …

As we remember the events that led to a national holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. King Jr., let’s look to some 20th-century history and see if we can find some inspiration and hope for the days ahead.

I visited the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. When I entered the museum, I immediately saw big colorful words on the walls and ceiling of the lower floor. I took the …

This week between holidays is for family, friends and feasting on leftovers. It’s for lingering with coffee and cookies, cuddling our pets and ignoring the alarm. A new calendar will roll in on …

Being human is a messy business. Coming into the world is a messy process. The testimony of the writings sacred to Christians called the Gospels bear witness that God chose to reveal Godself ​ …

In my early days as a pastor, I had too much theological education and not enough time in the real world of the church. I tried (unsuccessfully) to get my congregation to hold off celebrating …

Commentary: Words matter and last Tuesday the Fernandina Beach city commission chambers were witness to the most hateful three-minute rant likely ever uttered during the meeting's public …

My father had the ability to talk to anyone anywhere. Color, status, clothing, education or religion meant nothing to him. He valued each person. He would endlessly embarrass me, calling me over to …

I am relocating in a few weeks. My mind is as messy as my garage. My thoughts are piled like my things. They mixed up in a variety of “to-do” lists. I haven’t moved in 12 years. …

I would never make light of the destruction and heartache caused by the compound storms and political chaos of our time. I had scheduled an art tour to our nation’s capital and I was fortunate …

My home of 12 years is for sale. I supervised the building of it from New Jersey as I was concluding my ministry of 13 years in that location. I was excited to have a home of my own in a beautiful …

Piles of debris line our streets. Chainsaws roar and hammers bang. We are cleaning up. The howling wind was scary. We were brushed by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene as it tore northward on its destructive path.

I had a busy day and was tired. I took a nap. I slept longer than I had planned. I had to go to the grocery store before the day’s end. I got myself together and set out. I got what I needed …

This time of year, health journalists typically write stories focusing on the upcoming cold and flu season. We ask about predictions for various respiratory illness outbreaks and detail changes in …