By Frances Stebbins
{Frances Stebbins has been writing of faith communities in Western Virginia since 1953. She lives in Salem.}
Does this heading sound intriguing? The words just reflect realities with which we live today.
First, I’m a regular reader in the daily newspaper of the Tribune Content Agency columnist Leonard Pitts. An African American of long experience as a writer and analyst of news, Pitts now often comments on the confusion which has become the rule in Communications over about the past 30 years.
Last year, a friend and I heard him discuss the issue in a public lecture Roanoke College sponsored. In his more recent column, Pitts observed that Americans today come together wonderfully when attacked by an outside enemy such as occurred following the September 11, 2001, attack in New York or earlier after Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941.
Americans are together now, Pitts suggests, in condemning Russia’s president Vladimir Putin in his ruthless lust for power as shown by his directing the killing of thousands of innocent people—even many children—in Ukraine.
With so many ways to get news now, it has become hard for Americans to live by a common vision of what our nation stands for. The columnist concluded that better education is needed in “civics, history, critical thinking and media literacy.”
Years ago, I recall the late Episcopal Bishop William H. Marmion, often attacked in the turbulent 1960s for his liberal racial views, saying, “The source. Always consider the source.” Many printed opinions today contain a brief identification of the author to help the reader judge where he’s coming from.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For more than two years now, Americans have been under an unusual psychological strain, a Salem Parish Nurse commented in her monthly health advice to a congregation. It’s taken its toll on a lot of people, especially those older and living alone.
I happen to be one of these folk so the column was relevant. Any change is hard for older people. In the past week I have become –without much warning—thrown into major changes in three important factors in my life today.
My church is undergoing a change in pastors. My years in this job of writing about faith communities have taught me that serving as a pastor is one of the hardest jobs imaginable. It’s a lot more than preaching on the holy day what with administration, pastoral care, leading worship, teaching and, especially, encouraging members to become active for human betterment in the community.
There’s also been a change for my writing with a new young journalist taking over as editor of this weekly publication. Alex Shedd, the new editor, is experienced in journalistic writing and other literary forms, but new to Salem newsprint. He’s learning, as we all must, in developing a career.
Last, but far from least, is the closing of dear old Brooks-Byrd Pharmacy, a Salem institution for decades. Many of us senior adults remain active because of our meds. There are a number of good chain drug stores around, but they have different policies and lack a hometown feel. Many a Salemite earned her first money helping at the soda fountain, and regular customers were called by name. I expect many, besides me, were confused and somewhat frustrated last week when the closing hit home.
In the Parish Nurse’s article on living with stress—whether it comes from fear of the COVID respiratory illness, a new war in Europe with the potential for nuclear bomb destruction, excessive political division or changed relationships occurring to all families—deaths especially as we age—it’s been a sad time. You can turn off the TV, take a medication, eat and sleep as doctors recommend, and especially, try to be involved with other people.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Gene Marrano’s Channel 15 TV show, “Business Matters,” he recently interviewed Brandon McGinley, a local money counselor. They discussed “The Empowerment Financial Center” which educates young adults especially about taking care of what they earn. McGinley spoke of “unbanked people.” It was a new term for me who, because of being orphaned at 19 with no siblings, I had to learn to pay my own bills and maintain my small inheritance quickly.
Though I soon married, my husband quickly turned over the family budget to me. I still use those seemingly old-fashioned paper checks, but I was never “unbanked.” The agency sounds smart to me. You can learn more at 540-853-1120.