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October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Hidden Meanings in “The Lottery”

With this paper, you will analyze a short story of your choice and divulge the hidden meaning(s) found in the text.

You may choose any of the essays on this link (or another scholarly work of your choosing):  Short Story ChoicesLinks to an external site.

Address the following prompt:

Hidden Meanings in “The Lottery”

What is the message of the story you chose? What techniques or strategies does the writer use to deliver the message? Please use the worksheet you completed in Learning Activity #1 to help you determine the techniques.

For example, did the author use foreshadowing, figurative language, suspense, etc.  to help deliver the message? Did the author use characterization to help deliver the message? Did the author use the sequence of events to deliver the message?

When writing this paper, you need to focus on one or two strategies. The main purpose of this paper is the determine whether you can figure out the story’s central message and find which methods the author used to deliver that message.

Paper Details:

Hidden Meanings in “The Lottery”

MLA formatting (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced, heading in upper left corner, header begins on page two) Creative opener (attention-grabbing hook); connecting sentences leading up to thesis; thesis is last sentence of intro Multiple body paragraphs.  Each one considers a different aspect of the paper.  Paragraphs should have good topic sentences, textual evidence, primary source citation, analysis, and some type of transition (this could actually either come at the beginning of the paragraph or at the end) Conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis.  Conclusion should extend the topic in some way.

What is the message of the story you chose?, What techniques or strategies does the writer use to deliver the message?, Did the author use foreshadowing, figurative language, or suspense to help deliver the message?, Did the author use characterization to help deliver the message?, Did the author use the sequence of events to deliver the message?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Does God Change His Mind?

Topic Sentence: I would like to research and explore the theological question, “Does God change His mind?” by examining biblical narratives, classical doctrines of God’s immutability, and contemporary theological perspectives.

Does God Change His Mind?

Whether God changes His mind or not is among the most controversial theological questions within classical and contemporary theology. Surfacially, several scriptural passages give indications that God indeed changes his mind based on human behavior. For example, in Exodus 32:14, after Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites, Scripture states, “So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people” (NASB). Likewise, in Jonah 3:10, when Nineveh repents, God withholds his hand of destruction from the city. These verses appear to contest the classical dogma of absolute divine mutability, namely that God does not change at all in His nature, character, or will. It is this clash of scriptural narrative and systematic theology that has resulted in greater theological thought and controversy over the centuries.

Does God Change His Mind?

The Classical theism formulated by theologians like Augustine and Aquinas asserts that God is immutable-that is, unchanging and not affected by events in time. In this perspective, claims of God changing his mind can be explained as anthropopathisms, i.e., figurative locutions applied to God to help human beings grasp better what God is doing. In this tradition, God’s “change” is not literal but rather a human perception of how God’s eternal will unfolds in time. F. F. Bruce (1977), in his commentary on Hebrews, emphasizes that God’s promises and character remain constant, and that any perceived change reflects God’s consistent moral nature rather than an actual alteration in His will.

However, as of late, theologians like Clark Pinnock and Terence Fretheim have come out to criticize this interpretation with what they call the, looking at it on the side of open theism. Open theism presupposes that God is omniscient, but the future is not absolute, and God gives humans free will to decide some things. This view argues that God’s relational nature includes genuine responsiveness, including the capacity to change course in response to human behavior. In Most Moved Mover, Pinnock (2001) defends the idea of a God who is deeply engaged with creation and capable of adapting His plans in loving response to human repentance or disobedience. Likewise, Fretheim (1984) in The Suffering of God argues that the Old Testament portrays a dynamic God who suffers, grieves, and even changes His decisions in response to human actions.

John Sanders (1998), in The God Who Risks, expands on this idea, stating that God sovereignly chooses to enter into genuine partnership with humanity, taking real risks in the process. Sanders suggests that the changes of God in reaction to prayer or repentance are not the diminished sovereignty of God but a better perspective of divine relationality and love.

Finding the correct balance between these orientations is difficult, yet crucial to a complete theological frame. To examine whether God changes His mind or whether the concepts of change refer to a different level of consistent divine identity seen through human experience, this paper will present the analysis of major biblical passages and theological arguments supporting the classical and open views.

What is the main theological question explored in the research?, What does Scripture suggest about whether God changes His mind?, How does classical theism interpret biblical passages that suggest divine change?, What does open theism argue regarding God’s responsiveness and relational nature?, How can both theological perspectives be balanced to form a comprehensive view of God’s immutability and relationality?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Moral Testing in Sir Gawain

I need a 3–5 page essay (MLA format, 12pt Times New Roman, double spaced, with page numbers in the upper right corner and my name before the number starting on page 2). The essay is based only on class discussion and personal reflection, not outside research.

Premise

The essay is about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story shows Gawain being tested morally and spiritually, proving that even the best knight is still imperfect. I need you to analyze how this story impacted the people of the author’s time, how it impacts me personally today, and then compare/contrast those two audiences.

Structure & Content

Moral Testing in Sir Gawain

● Introduction

○ Hook (something that introduces the moral testing theme).

○ Background on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

○ End with a clear thesis statement: show how the text influenced people in its own time, how it influenced me, and how the two audiences compare.

● Body Paragraphs

○ Paragraph 1–2: How the people of the medieval period might have been impacted by the story (chivalry, morality, honor, fear of sin, reputation, faith, etc.).

○ Paragraph 3–4: How I personally am impacted by the text (modern morals, integrity, temptation, self-reflection, what I would’ve done if I were Gawain).

○ Paragraph 5: Compare and contrast the two audiences (the medieval audience vs. modern me/us today).

○ Each body paragraph should include at least one direct quote from the text (properly cited in MLA). For each quote:

1. Introduce the quote with context.

2. State the quote.

3. Explain what it means.

 

 

4. Connect it to the argument.

5. End with why it matters.

● Conclusion

○ Restate the thesis in a new way.

○ Summarize how both audiences are impacted.

○ End with a broader reflection on the importance of stories like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in teaching us about imperfection, morality, and growth.

Grading Criteria (must hit all points)

● 2 pts: Developed thesis at the end of intro.

● 3 pts: Analysis of how medieval people were impacted.

● 3 pts: Analysis of how I (modern audience) was impacted.

● 2 pts: Compare/contrast the two audiences.

Extra Notes Moral Testing in Sir Gawain

● No paragraph should be longer than half a page.

● Aim for 8–10 shorter body paragraphs instead of 3 huge ones.

● Keep it reflective and based on my personal voice.

 

 

  • What is the premise of the Sir Gawain and the Green Knight essay?, What structure and content should the essay include?, What grading criteria must the essay meet?, What extra notes or writing guidelines must be followed?, What is the overall goal of the essay?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

There are ten functional areas of chaplaincy, subdivided into more than seventy sub-areas.  Choose one or more areas and sub-areas to describe in terms of the following or like questions: What is the nature of chaplaincy in that area;  what is this area like; what are its demands on its people and what are their needs; what does a chaplain in this area need for preparation; what are some effective ministry methods and best practices in this area?

You should prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can be presented in no more than 10 minutes.  It may have narration, music, film clips, etc., but text and pictures are sufficient.  Every slide should be illustrated in some way.  Encourage discussion by preparing provocative content (!) or discussion questions.  You will lead a discussion time after your presentation.  Your total time of presentation and discussion must be no more than 15 minutes.Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

  • What is the nature of chaplaincy in that area?,

  • What is this area like?,

  • What are its demands on its people and what are their needs?,

  • What does a chaplain in this area need for preparation?,

  • What are some effective ministry methods and best practices in this area?


Comprehensive General Answer


1. Nature of Chaplaincy in the Hospital Setting

Hospital chaplaincy is a ministry of presence, compassion, and spiritual care within healthcare institutions. It serves patients, families, and staff of diverse backgrounds facing illness, trauma, recovery, and death. The chaplain’s mission is not limited to religious support but extends to emotional, ethical, and existential concerns.

Core Identity:

  • A bridge between faith and medicine.

  • A listener amid fear and uncertainty.

  • A supporter for staff coping with burnout or moral distress.

Hospital chaplains embody “spiritual first responders”, offering calm and meaning where medical science meets human suffering.


2. The Hospital Environment

Hospitals are high-stress, high-stakes environments marked by urgency, pain, and ethical complexity.

Characteristics:

  • 24/7 operation requiring chaplain availability for crises.

  • Diverse populations (multicultural, multi-faith, nonreligious).

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians, nurses, and social workers.

  • Emotional intensity—births, deaths, and ethical decisions may occur daily.

The chaplain’s role integrates faith sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and professional ethics in a setting driven by clinical precision and time constraints.


3. Demands on Patients, Families, and Staff

Patients and Families:

  • Struggle with fear, loss, uncertainty, and the search for meaning.

  • Often feel powerless, needing spiritual reassurance or simply human presence.

Healthcare Staff:

  • Face compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral injury.

  • Need opportunities for reflection, spiritual renewal, and emotional care.

The chaplain provides spiritual triage—assessing needs, responding sensitively, and creating a sacred space within a clinical environment.


4. Preparation and Qualifications for Hospital Chaplains

Essential Preparation:

  • Education: Master of Divinity (or equivalent theological degree).

  • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): Supervised, hands-on training in clinical settings emphasizing pastoral skills, self-awareness, and ethics.

  • Board Certification: Through associations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).

  • Skills Required:

    • Deep empathy and active listening.

    • Cultural and religious literacy.

    • Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

    • Confidentiality and professional ethics.

Personal Formation:
Chaplains must cultivate emotional resilience, prayer discipline, and self-care to sustain ministry in settings of continual suffering and uncertainty.


5. Effective Ministry Methods and Best Practices

Method Description Purpose
Ministry of Presence Simply being with people in their suffering without needing to fix or explain it. Offers comfort and human connection.
Active Listening Engaging patients to express fears, hopes, and beliefs. Helps patients process emotions and find meaning.
Interfaith Competence Respecting and facilitating the patient’s own beliefs. Builds trust and inclusion across diverse faiths.
Staff Support Rounds Offering debriefs and moral support after traumatic cases. Reduces burnout and moral distress among healthcare staff.
Ritual and Prayer Providing sacraments, blessings, or nonreligious rituals of closure. Supports healing and spiritual expression.
Ethical Consultation Participating in ethics committees and end-of-life discussions. Ensures care aligns with patient values and dignity.

Best Practices:

  • Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

  • Be present in both crisis and routine moments.

  • Keep documentation consistent with hospital policy.

  • Model compassion and integrity to all.


6. Provocative Discussion Questions

  • How can chaplains balance professional boundaries with deep empathy?

  • Should chaplains ever challenge medical decisions on moral or spiritual grounds?

  • What does healing look like when cure is no longer possible?

  • How can hospital chaplains sustain their own spiritual well-being amid constant exposure to suffering?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

can hire any number of radiology technicians per hour to produce radiographs, which are displayed below. The relationship between the number of technicians hired per hour and the number of radiographs produced per hour is shown in the following table. Show the total and marginal products and indicate at each level of production whether the production function exhibits increasing, constant, or diminishing marginal productivity. Please fill in the blanks of the following table. (6 points)

Radiograph Technician

Radiograph Produced

Total product (TP)

Marginal product (MP)

MP diminishing/constant/ increasing

10 100 20 260 30 500 40 740 50 940 60 1000

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

2. Determine how each of the following scenario would change the demand curve for

chiropractic visits and explain why: (6 points) (a) Yoga practice becomes popular and therefore a decrease in back problems among the

population (b) Insurance coverage extends to chiropractic visits and such results in a decrease in the

out-of-pocket price of chiropractic visits (c) The out-of-pocket price of back surgery (a substitute for chiropractic services) gets

higher (d) The price of radiographs (a complement of chiropractic services) increases (e) An advertising campaign that makes people more aware of the benefits of

chiropractic care (f) An increase in the screen time after Pandemic

3. Currently, there is a $1.00 copayment on drugs. The HMO has decided to raise this to $1.50 per prescription. The cost of a prescription is $6.00, which means the HMO’s contribution to the total cost will fall from $5.00 to $4.00. Currently, the price elasticity of demand is about –1.5 for prescriptions, and the HMO members use 4.5 prescriptions per capita. How much will be demanded after the new copayment is put into effect, and how much money will this save the HMO? (4 points)

4. The Winter Health Clinic rents a small office in Chicago. Winter pays the building owner a rent of $8,000 a month, which includes all utilities. It has signed a 5-year lease. Winter hires a general practice physician at $200 an hour, a nurse at $100 an hour, and a technician at $50 an hour. Winter assumes that each patient uses $25 in supplies. In September, the clinic was open for 500 hours, during which all personnel were available at all times to staff the clinic. During that time, 250 patients were seen. What were Winter’s total fixed and total variable costs for the month? (4 points)

  • Show the total and marginal products and indicate at each level of production whether the production function exhibits increasing constant or diminishing marginal productivity?,

  • Determine how each of the following scenarios would change the demand curve for chiropractic visits and explain why?,

  • How much will be demanded after the new copayment is put into effect and how much money will this save the HMO?,

  • What were Winter’s total fixed and total variable costs for the month?,

  • Explain why each change affects demand in economic terms?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Negligence and Health Records

  1. Explain the four elements of negligence that must be present in order for a plaintiff to recover damages?
  2. Discuss the purposes for which the health record is maintained within a healthcare organization.
  3. Explain the concept of e-discovery and discuss the role of health information management professionals in the e-discovery process.
  4. What are the differences between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare?
  5. The corporate director of risk management is asked to review a patient’s health record in preparation for legal proceedings for a malpractice case. The lawsuit was brought by the patient 72 days after the procedure. Health information contains a summary of two procedures that were dictated 95 days after the procedure. The physician in question has a longstanding history of being non-compliant with the organization’s record completion policies, and previous concerns regarding this physician’s record maintenance practices had been reported to the organization’s credentialing committee.
    1. Apply appropriate legal concepts to demonstrate why this health information may not be admissible in court.
    2. What judgment, if any, regarding negligence could be made against the organization?

Negligence and Health Records

  • Explain the four elements of negligence that must be present in order for a plaintiff to recover damages?,

  • Discuss the purposes for which the health record is maintained within a healthcare organization?,

  • Explain the concept of e-discovery and discuss the role of health information management professionals in the e-discovery process?,

  • What are the differences between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare?,

  • Apply appropriate legal concepts to demonstrate why this health information may not be admissible in court, What judgment, if any, regarding negligence could be made against the organization?


Comprehensive General Answer

1. Four Elements of Negligence

For a plaintiff to recover damages in a negligence claim, all four legal elements must be proven:

  1. Duty of Care:
    The defendant (e.g., a healthcare provider) must owe a legal duty to the plaintiff (patient). In healthcare, this arises from the provider–patient relationship, obligating the provider to act in accordance with accepted medical standards.

  2. Breach of Duty:
    The provider must have failed to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonable professional in similar circumstances. Breach occurs when the provider’s actions (or inaction) deviate from what a competent provider would do.

  3. Causation:
    There must be a direct link between the provider’s breach and the patient’s injury. The plaintiff must prove both actual cause (“but for” the defendant’s action, harm would not have occurred) and proximate cause (the harm was a foreseeable result of the breach).

  4. Damages:
    The plaintiff must have suffered measurable harm—physical, emotional, or financial—resulting from the breach. Without actual damages, even a proven breach does not result in recovery.

If any of these four elements is missing, a negligence claim will fail.


2. Purposes of the Health Record in Healthcare Organizations

A health record serves multiple critical purposes, including:

  • Patient Care: Provides an accurate, continuous record of diagnosis, treatment, and progress to support ongoing care and coordination among providers.

  • Legal Documentation: Acts as a legal record of the care provided, supporting the defense in malpractice claims and regulatory investigations.

  • Billing and Reimbursement: Supplies necessary data for accurate coding, billing, and insurance claims.

  • Quality Improvement and Risk Management: Enables analysis of outcomes, identification of trends, and development of policies to enhance safety and quality.

  • Research and Education: Offers data for clinical studies and training future healthcare professionals.

A complete, timely, and accurate record is essential for both clinical and legal integrity.


3. Concept of E-Discovery and HIM Role

E-discovery (electronic discovery) refers to the process of identifying, collecting, preserving, reviewing, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) for use in legal proceedings. This includes emails, electronic health records (EHRs), audit logs, and metadata.

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals play a vital role by:

  • Ensuring legal hold is placed on relevant records to prevent deletion or alteration.

  • Maintaining data integrity and authenticity of EHRs and metadata.

  • Coordinating with legal teams and IT to retrieve and produce records in legally compliant formats.

  • Ensuring privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA during the discovery process. Negligence and Health Records

Their expertise ensures that electronic health data is properly preserved, traceable, and admissible in court.


4. Living Will vs. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Aspect Living Will Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOA-HC)
Purpose States a patient’s wishes about end-of-life or life-sustaining treatments Appoints another person (agent) to make healthcare decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated
Activation Typically becomes effective only when the patient is terminally ill or permanently unconscious Becomes effective when the patient is unable to make decisions, regardless of illness type
Scope Limited to treatment preferences (e.g., resuscitation, ventilation) Broader authority—can make various healthcare decisions not specified in writing
Flexibility Static—cannot adapt to unforeseen circumstances Dynamic—allows the agent to interpret and apply patient values in context

Both are forms of advance directives ensuring that patients’ wishes are respected when they cannot communicate.


5. Legal Concepts and Admissibility of Health Information

In the malpractice case scenario:

  • The procedure summaries were dictated 95 days after the procedures, well beyond normal documentation standards.

  • This delay undermines the authenticity, reliability, and trustworthiness of the health record.

  • Under rules of evidence, medical records must be created in the ordinary course of business and at or near the time of the event to qualify as admissible business records.

  • Since these entries were delayed and the physician had a history of noncompliance, opposing counsel could argue that the records were altered, reconstructed, or unreliable, leading to inadmissibility in court.

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Illegal Organ Trade Chain

As you have learned from this week’s readings, a cause-effect chain argues that one thing leads to another (e.g., “Increasing levels of acidity in sea water are harming the oceans’ coral reefs.”). A causal cause and effect chain links causal claims together as links in a chain. Remember your argument is only as strong as the weakest link in your chain.

Summarize the causal cause and effect chain used by the writer in the article from The New York Times. Was the argument persuasive? Why or why not?

Illegal Organ Trade Chain

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A294748426/WHIC?u=canyonuniv&sid=bookmark-WHIC&xid=406140c2

  • What has caused the growth of the illegal sale of human organs in some countries a concept unthinkable 100 years ago?,
  • What has caused the growth of selling human organs on the black market?,
  • What are the causes you have identified and will write about in your draft?,
  • What are the effects you have identified and will write about in your draft?

Summary of the Causal Cause‐and‐Effect Chain

Since I couldn’t access the full NYT article via the link (internal error), I’m relying on summaries and student responses that reference “Black market for body parts spreads among the poor in Europe” (NYT, 2012). Using that, here is how the causal chain generally works:

  1. Primary Causes:

    • Economic hardship and poverty in some countries. People struggle financially. Studocu+3CliffsNotes+3Course Hero+3

    • Lack of sufficient legal organ donors combined with strict criteria for donation (medical, regulatory, eligibility) which exclude many would-be donors. Studocu+2CliffsNotes+2

    • High demand for organs for transplants (medical need), especially where chronic diseases or organ failure are common and legal donation systems can’t meet demand. Studocu+2Studocu+2

  2. Intermediate Links / Enablers:

    • Weak regulatory or legal enforcement in certain places; corruption or insufficient oversight. nhrc.nic.in+3Studocu+3Studocu+3

    • Brokers or middlemen who organize the illegal trade; people who facilitate the pairing of sellers and buyers in secret or via illicit channels. BBC+2CliffsNotes+2

  3. Effects:

    • Poor or desperate individuals selling their organs as a survival strategy; financial distress pushes people to take risky decisions. CliffsNotes+2Course Hero+2

    • Health risks to donors (medical complications, unsafe surgeries, post-operative problems) and sometimes to recipients. Studocu+1

    • Ethical and social consequences: exploitation of vulnerable populations, inequality (rich exploiting poor), moral outrage, undermining of trust in medical systems. Studocu+2CliffsNotes+2

  4. Overall Chain Flow (simplified):
    Economic hardship + insufficient legal donation supply → High demand for organs not met legally → Brokers/middlemen + lax enforcement → People in need sell organs → Negative health, ethical & social consequences, continued cycle.

Illegal Organ Trade Chain


Was the Argument Persuasive? Why or Why Not

What makes it persuasive:

  • Multiple cause-and-effect links rather than a single oversimplified cause. The article appears to consider both economic, regulatory, medical, and social factors. This makes the chain more robust. Studocu+2Studocu+2

  • Real examples / anecdotes (e.g., families in economic distress, stories of people donating under pressure) help ground abstract causes in human reality. CliffsNotes+1

  • Appeal to moral and social concern: The ethical dimension—exploitation, the desperation of sellers—makes the reader care, which strengthens persuasion. SweetStudy+1

Weaknesses / what weakens the chain:

  • Potential missing data or gaps: Some links depend on assumptions (for example, that increasing poverty always leads to organ selling) without strong empirical data in all contexts. If one link is weak, the whole chain suffers.

  • Generalization vs. specificity: Conditions vary greatly between countries. What works or holds true in Eastern Europe may not in Asia or Africa. If the argument treats all poor countries similarly, that reduces strength.

  • Possible alternative explanations not fully addressed: cultural, religious, or legal nuances; maybe some donors are coerced, or maybe legal systems have different barriers; or maybe demand is inflated by black-market dynamics beyond medical need. If those aren’t addressed, the chain might have weak spots.

Overall, yes, the argument seems reasonably persuasive, provided the reader accepts that the available evidence does support many of the links. But its persuasive power depends on how well each causal link is supported in specific contexts.


Causes I Would Use in My Draft

Here are the causes I would definitely write about:

  • Severe economic inequality & poverty

  • Inadequate legal organ donation systems (insufficient supply, strict eligibility)

  • Weak law enforcement & regulatory oversight

  • Role of brokers / intermediaries who bridge needs of buyers and sellers in clandestine ways


Effects I Would Use in My Draft

Here are effects I would explore:

  • Physical/medical harm to organ sellers (health complications, lack of after care)

  • Psychological and social consequences for donors (regret, family issues, sense of exploitation)

  • Erosion of trust in medical and legal institutions

  • Ethical and moral deterioration: commodification of human body parts; increasing inequality

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

Chaplains are “insiders” who belong to a particular institution in which they serve.  This insider service involves many dynamics that are not necessarily in common with congregational ministry, evangelistic ministry, or ministries of meeting human needs.  What are some of these dynamics, in your view, and how should a chaplain manage and leverage those dynamics for productive ministry?  List and address any temptations that you note, as well as positive opportunities.  You may wish to address your presentation to one of the functional areas of chaplain ministry, rather than to chaplaincy in general.

Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

You should prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can be presented in no more than 10 minutes.  It may have narration, music, film clips, etc., but text and pictures are sufficient.  Every slide should be illustrated in some way.  Encourage discussion by preparing provocative content (!) or discussion questions.  You will lead a discussion time after your presentation.  Your total time of presentation and discussion must be no more than 15 minutes.Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

  • What are some dynamics of chaplaincy that differ from congregational or evangelistic ministry?,

  • How should a chaplain manage and leverage those dynamics for productive ministry?,

  • What temptations might chaplains face as institutional insiders?,

  • What positive opportunities arise from serving within an institution?,

  • How can these dynamics be applied to one functional area of chaplain ministry?


Comprehensive General Answer

Chaplains serve as insiders within specific institutions—such as hospitals, prisons, the military, schools, or corporations—providing spiritual care within the organization’s unique culture, rules, and mission. This embedded ministry involves distinct dynamics that separate it from traditional pastoral or evangelistic work.


1. Key Dynamics of Chaplaincy

  • Institutional Loyalty vs. Spiritual Mission:
    Chaplains operate under organizational policies and hierarchies while maintaining a spiritual calling that transcends institutional boundaries. This dual accountability creates tension but also opportunities for credibility and influence.

  • Pluralistic Environment:
    Unlike congregational settings, chaplains serve diverse populations—often with varied or no religious beliefs—requiring sensitivity, inclusivity, and skill in interfaith dialogue.

  • Pastoral Presence in Secular Settings:
    Chaplains represent spiritual care in environments primarily focused on health, discipline, education, or national service. Their influence often arises more from presence and relationship than preaching.

  • Ethical Mediation:
    Chaplains often stand in the gap between institutional demands and personal conscience, helping navigate ethical dilemmas (e.g., end-of-life care, disciplinary actions).

  • Confidentiality and Trust:
    Building and maintaining trust with individuals—while respecting institutional reporting structures—is a key dynamic requiring discernment and integrity.


2. Managing and Leveraging These Dynamics

  • Cultural Literacy:
    Learn the institution’s structure, language, and values to operate effectively and gain trust.

  • Bridge-Building:
    Serve as a liaison between leadership and individuals, fostering understanding and emotional resilience.

  • Relational Ministry:
    Focus on presence, listening, and compassionate engagement rather than overt evangelism.

  • Ethical Advocacy:
    Model moral integrity and speak truth with grace when addressing injustices or ethical issues.

  • Professionalism:
    Uphold high standards of conduct, confidentiality, and competence, which legitimizes the chaplain’s spiritual role.


3. Common Temptations

  • Compromise of Convictions:
    Pressure to conform to institutional expectations at the expense of faith integrity.

  • Isolation or Cynicism:
    Emotional fatigue or detachment from both the spiritual community and the institution.

  • Power and Prestige:
    Over-identifying with leadership roles, losing focus on servant ministry.

  • Proselytizing Pressure:
    Temptation to evangelize aggressively rather than respect diverse beliefs.

 

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Cilantro vs Parsley

Cilantro vs persley There’s often confusion between these two wonderful culinary herbs, for both cooks and gardeners. Cilantro and flat-leaf parsley have similar uses and are practically twins of each other, visually, but they do have distinct di�erences. This article clarifies their individual characteristics, including their growth habits.

It’s a good day on the blog when I get to talk about two of my favorite, most useful, fresh herbs: cilantro and parsley. As a cooking educator, I often get questions about when to use which. And in the garden, there are often assumptions that they grow similarly to each other, which is not quite the case.

A couple of notes before we get started. In the U.S., we refer to the green leaves of cilantro as cilantro, while in Europe and India they’re called

Cilantro vs Parsley

coriander. In the U.S., coriander are the seeds of the cilantro plant.

There are two main types of parsley: flat-leaf (or Italian) and curly. Flat-leaf parsley has a strong, herbal, grassy flavor. Curly parsley, on the other hand, is mild in flavor and papery in texture and is usually used just as a garnish. All references to “parsley” in this article will be referencing flat- leaf parsley.

Now, let’s get to the deets!

Botanical Overview

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) — Cilantro (formerly known as Chinese parsley) is a member of the Apiaceae family, and is actually related to parsley. Not surprisingly, given their appearance.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) — As noted above, parsley is related to cilantro and is also a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, fennel, chervil, dill, cumin, lovage, celery, parsnips, Queen Anne’s lace, and more.

Some members of this family — including parsley, dill, carrots, and parsnips — have interesting blooming habits, where the seed-producing flowers are huge, showy, umbrella-like structures, known as umbels, with tiny yellow or white flowers.

Flavor

Cilantro: Also known as coriander in Europe and India, cilantro has a distinct, pungent flavor often described as fresh, citrusy, and slightly peppery. Most people have a love/hate relationship with cilantro because of the presence of aldehydes, which some perceive as a soapy or metallic flavor. But for those of us where cilantro doesn’t taste like soap, it’s a much beloved herb that’s crucial in salsas and guacamole.

Parsley: Flat-leaf parsley has a more robust flavor, described as fresh, slightly bitter, grassy and earthy with pepper undertones, making it suitable for a variety of dishes, especially within Italian cuisine.

 

 

Plant Life Cycle

Cilantro: Cilantro is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle — grows from seed, produces leaves, and then flowers to produce seeds — in one growing season, and does not survive from one year to another.

Cilantro is distinctly a cool-weather plant and will bolt (go to seed) as soon as the weather turns hot. This, of course, is a real bummer for salsa lovers, as cilantro’s growing season does not overlap with onions, tomatoes, and peppers.

Cilantro is easy to grow from seed, and also easily produces seed. When the plant produces flowers, leave it be, and you’ll see seeds appear soon enough. Interestingly, the young, tender, bright green seeds are edible and delicious — pick a few for a treat in your green salads.

Cilantro vs Parsley

 

Mature seeds will dry out to brown, and can be ground into the spice known as coriander, or saved to replant next year.

Parsley: Parsley, like many other species in the Apiaceae family, including carrots, is actually a biennial plant, which means it takes two years to complete its life cycle. It grows delicious, edible leaves in its first year and dies back. Then resprouts in the spring of the second year to produce flowers and seeds. Seeds that drop to the ground can sprout the following year as a first-year plant, beginning the cycle anew.

Most gardeners grow parsley as an annual reseeding fresh every year. My parsley garden, however, contains both first and second-year plants, so I have a yearly supply of fresh parsley without having to reseed each year. Second-year plants do have green foliage, but they’re easy to tell apart from first-year plants, as the leaves are long and spindly and definitely not very flavorful.

Growing Conditions

Cilantro — As mentioned above, cilantro is a cool-weather plant and grows best in the spring. You can plant seeds as soon as the soil warms su�ciently. Or sow them in containers, which is what I normally do.

Unfortunately, cilantro will bolt as soon as the weather gets hot, even if only briefly. Here in the Ohio Valley, we usually have a freak 90ºF hot streak over Memorial Day weekend before cooling back down to normal June temps. That small stretch is enough to send plants into flowering mode.

Like most herbs, cilantro prefers loamy, well-draining soil and even watering throughout its short growing cycle.

Parsley — Parsley is much hardier than its cousin, cilantro, and can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Sow parsley seeds in late spring, when the threat of frost and snow has passed. Seeds will take a while to germinate, so be patient.

 

 

Parsley grows well in loamy, well-draining soil and thrives in full sun or partial shade. I always plant parsley in its own in-ground bed, because it’s quite prolific and, with enough seeding, can grow into a large, bushy bed.

One really cool thing about flat-leaf parsley is that it can survive cold temperatures surprisingly well. In fact, one winter, as an experiment, I draped a row cover over an entire first-year crop, and the plants lasted well into February, full-flavored and everything. Here’s a photo of the experiment in late December that year:

I do believe the plants would’ve lasted even longer if we hadn’t had a significant snowstorm that tore down the row covers and flattened the

bed with wet, heavy snow.

  • What are cilantro and parsley botanically?,

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  • What growing conditions do cilantro and parsley prefer?,

  • How are cilantro and parsley used differently in cooking and gardening?