My Journal - Agatha Nolen

“The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew”, 1308-1311, Duccio di Buoninsegna, image courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC For the past 6 months, I’ve seen a lot written around a basic question, “What is Church?” When I was growing up, church was a building I went to out of obligation. Strong Roman Catholic roots and post-college Southern Baptist preaching taught me about the...

NYT Magazine, September 20, 2020 “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15-17 (NIV)) In retirement, I’ve asked God for clear direction on where I...

St. Francis of Assisi, Wood, Interior Mexico, 1998 Yesterday’s Forward Movement meditation asked a pertinent question in my life:  Is God inviting you to serve in a new way, one different from where you want to serve? How will you respond? I’ve been in a year-long discernment process as I prepared for my retirement from full-time employment. “When should it occur?” More importantly, “Why shou...

It’s time to drop the labels. Rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, Socialist or even Christian. The labels don’t mean anything any longer. Not only is “rich” and “poor” not well defined, it is a stereotype to apply to someone that I don’t know. Just because I live in a certain part of town or zip code doesn’t automatically mean I’m “rich” or that I vote Republican; unless you know me and my his...

Since I started in the working world in 1977, I’ve always had employer-sponsored health insurance. Because my employer has been the negotiator, I’ve had little direct interaction with the insurance companies with the exception of two denials: a denial for long-term disability insurance since I had breast cancer in 2006, and a denial for an open-sided MRI from an HMO plan due to my claustrophobia i...

Today starts a new chapter as I retired from my full-time job with HCA Healthcare yesterday. I’ve served in San Antonio and Nashville, and it has been the bulk of my pharmacy career; 23 years of the 43 I’ve been in practice. It has been a time the past few months during the pandemic of looking back over my adult years and since I’ve worked full-time continuously since my graduation, many of my mem...

Brothers of SSJE at Br. Luke’s Ordination to the Diaconate, June 2020 I had the pleasure of seeing (yes, seeing via Zoom), two of the Brothers of The Society of Saint John the Evangelist this week as they facilitated a session for members of the Fellowship of Saint John. I have been unable to make my customary bi-annual visits to the Episcopal Monastery in Cambridge, MA, so this was a delight to s...

Dr. Chester A. Robinson Jackson State University I’m spending a lot of time at home like the rest of us. I’ve found that my garden has never looked better and I’ve started weeding out some things I’ve had in the attic for awhile. Photos bring back memories of fun days with family and friends.  I found a letter. It was tucked in the wrong place in a bookcase on a shelf I haven’t visited in a l...

It is a confusing world now. With countries shut down and citizens relegated to our houses, our “normal” world has been turned upside down. In hearing the news, it appears our democracy is in danger when every person, regardless of race is regarded with dignity and honor. Our scientists caution us about the virus, “It isn’t over yet.” I’ve always been an optimist thinking that every tough situatio...

Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea As we head toward the summer solstice on June 20th, my flowers are enjoying the warmer and rainy weather. Each year they remake themselves after the cold dormant days of winter, opening up to the enticing rays of the sun. For many of us, life had not become a time of rhythms like we find in nature, but instead it was a constant, weary battle. We’d spend our days struggling...

A friend just introduced me to a short service in the Book of Common Prayer, An Order of Worship for the Evening which contains the hymn: “O Gracious Light “ or Phos hilaron. The hymn was the appointed hymn at Evening Prayer last night at The Society of Saint John the Evangelist, an Episcopal Monastery in Cambridge, MA. It was first recorded in the late 3rd or early 4th century and is the oldest h...

I was always too busy playing, golfing, or schoolwork Dashing off to the next event Lots of time in the car singing along to the latest song Now, each morning the sun rises first And delights with a hot orange or dusty pink The birds awakening beginning their chatter The first rays of sunshine appear I take my hanging baskets of begonias and set them out to catch those first rays Next it’s my chin...

As a scientist and a member of the healing arts, I’ve been distressed about the “fake news” for a number of years, but even more distressed recently since lives are at stake. As of this morning there have been 172,120 deaths worldwide that were contributed to by the COVID-19 virus and 40,316 in the United States. It is presumed that there was community spread in the U.S., so 40,316 people reached...

Israel, 2011 We live in a great time of mystery. We have not seen a time that is less explained by science since we dove headlong into the Enlightenment. Although we can identify the scourge as the COVID-19 virus, we can neither describe its boldness nor determine its weakness. We are at present powerless to contain its spread. The early church fought similar battles against infectious diseases, b...

Antigua, Guatemala As we shelter at home, I have time to think more clearly about my life and purpose and to gain meaning from the past. I’ve been “running on empty” (a great Jackson Browne song) for years. I’m not sure when it started, or maybe it has always been there. Striving for good grades in high school and college, to make an impact in my career as a pharmacist, and volunteer work at churc...

Santiago, my 7-1/2 month old golden retriever Although I normally work from home one or two days per week, my 7-1/2 month old Golden Retriever, Santiago, is not used to having me around 24/7. Not unlike my puppy, I have energy to spare right now. Although I’m occupied with work, my favorite distraction is to take Santiago for a walk. It used to be that we’d go for a short walk 3 or 4 times per day...

Rembrandt (1627) St. Paul in Prison courtesy of Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, Germany This morning at 12:01 am, Mayor John Cooper issued a “Safer at Home” order for all Nashville residents. The order closes non-essential businesses and encourages residents throughout Davidson County to stay home when possible and avoid gatherings of over 10 people for non-essential purposes. In addition, all businesse...

The Deluge , J.M.W. Turner, Exhibited 1805, courtesy Tate Britain This week’s meditation from The Society of St. John the Evangelist Monastery in Cambridge, MA is on WATER. The video has interesting reflections from many of the Brothers and the Rev. Becky Zartman. You can watch the 15:06 video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed-fP3huw30 . Reflecting on last week, I realized that in addition...

Candles, Chapel, The Society of St. John the Evangelist, Episcopal Monastery, Cambridge, MA Today’s daily practice for the SIGNS OF LIFE Lenten series is to pray with the Third Song of Isaiah and let God speak to us through the Scripture (pg 87 BCP). As I read through the Song, I am comforted by the verses, “Violence will no more be heard in your land, ruin or destruction within your borders.” Tha...

Baptismal Font, cathedral de Avila, Avila Spain, 2019 This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday which starts the six-week season of Lent. This year, I won’t be giving up chocolate or wine; instead I plan to follow some daily practices that will help me go deeper into my faith. I’m following the SIGNS OF LIFE: WHY CHURCH MATTERS with the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist , an Episcopal mon...

I’m facilitating a new Coffee & Discussion Group on Saturday mornings: The WAY OF LOVE: WHAT WE BELIEVE. We meet at 8th and Roast Coffee House at 42nd and Charlotte in West Nashville from 8AM-9AM. ALL ARE WELCOME!!! During Lent, we’ll meet to discuss the SIGNS OF LIFE: WHY CHURCH MATTERS series from the Brothers of The Society of Saint John the Evangelist and Virginia Theological Seminary. You...

I check social media at least a few times a day as my blog posts appear there and I like to reply promptly to comments or questions. There are posts from a few friends (past and present) that I always stop to read. They are usually uplifting, inspiring or ask thoughtful questions without judgment or condemnation. I enjoy photos of adorable children and pets, as well as outdoor scenes that remind m...