William Miller

Great to hear from you!

It's been great hearing from so many of you in response to my latest "Spirituality for Real People" Father's Day edition Enews! From Kauai to Covington to far beyond! Thank you for reading and for sharing. I am also excited to hear of your interest in our upcoming pilgrimages. The Camino de Santiago from Madrid is right around the corner. For those who missed the newsletter, here is my Father's Day Reflection:

This Month's Spiritual Reflection

Faith of My Father or It's Complicated

Our memories of and relationships with our parents can be complicated, to say the least. I had a lunch meeting this past week with a new friend who grew up with "foster parents" who smoked and drank their way through their monthly "foster parent" stipend checks. My friend's childhood home had no running water, insulation, heating or cooling. She went to school unfed, unbathed, and without a decent wardrobe or winter coat. She shockingly shared with me that one of her ten-year old foster siblings ran away and her "parents" did not bother reporting her missing status to any authority. Why would they since the checks kept coming? It was hard for me even to imagine such harsh circumstances surrounding one's childhood (and her stark reality put my own early blessings in quick perspective). But then she shared with me that her bus driver, a kind man named Mr. Bowen, had taken her under his care, providing support as well as supplies, uniforms, transportation, and generally "watching over" her in school and beyond. When she was in college, Mr. Bowen, who had paid for all her college textbooks, died. When she entered the chapel back in her small hometown for his funeral service, the funeral home employees sat her with "the family." She was surprised to read in his obituary that she was listed as his only granddaughter. Though no biological relation, Mr. Bowen had been just the "father figure" (or in this case "grandfather figure") she needed to survive and even thrive. My friend went on to do well. She has a Master's degree, a great job, her own home, and a growing faith. And of course, she has a rescue dog she found wandering the streets who has made all the difference!

Thank God for Mr. Bowen. Thank God for all those men in our lives, whether related or not, who have "loved us into being" (as Mr. Rogers said). In my own life, I think back on youth ministers, pastors, teachers, professors, and mentors who took an interest in me and guided me toward my own God-given calling in life. But most of who I am and what I learned I owe to my dad. Yes, it was complicated. No, we did not agree on many things. Yes, I walked away with a few wounds that took a long time to heal. Eventually, after doing some "family of origin" work and taking time to process the family dysfunction and how it impacted me (by the way, there is no family that is not "dysfunctional" on some level) I decided I would spend the rest of my days contemplating the ways my father blessed me and imparted his blessing upon me.

Of all the lessons I learned from my dad, I believe the most important one was how faith makes us more kind, caring, and compassionate. To this day, I believe that if your faith does not make your heart break over the same things that break the heart of God, your faith may as well be dead. My dad followed Jesus and would proclaim his love for Christ to anyone who would listen. There was many a weeknight when my father was out sharing the "good news" with "the lost" hoping to convert them to a life of faith, and specifically to join his church family. But beyond those weeknight "cottage meetings" my dad lived his faith in his love for all people. I watched. I helped. I learned. Those lessons of giving, generosity, and caring for others, especially the "least of these" are the lessons I treasure most today.

So as I anticipate Father's Day (and my dog Mystic better throw me a bone!) I think fondly of the man who raised me as his "two-son." I focus on his weekly mowing the lawn of the widow lady who lived behind us. I think of his generous financial support of anyone in need. I remember his mission work in Latin America. I celebrate his single-handed potty training of both my niece and nephew while their parents were on vacation (talk about a hero!). I remember the night he drove to meet a man who claimed to be poor in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. The man robbed my dad. My dad came home, laughed about it, and admitted to my mom and me that "the country boy would some day learn about life in the big city!" I also remember when the neighborhood demographics shifted and my dad led the charge to hire a Black minister who reflected the reality of the neighborhood and the future of the church. He stayed there as the church shifted ethnic identities. Even though the new black minister was a Democrat (and gave my dad a bumper sticker that read "Friends Don't Let Friends Vote Republican!") my dad loved and admired him till the day he died.

Don't misunderstand me. My dad got some things wrong and made some mistakes. But he got the big things right. His theology was never nuanced. But he got the point of the golden rule and lived his life in such a way that you could see its radiant truth most days: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

That's not all that complicated. But it sure is beautiful.

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Join Us On A Life-Changing Pilgrimage in Spain This October!

Walk the Camino De Santiago with Saint Cecilia's Round Top and Father Bill Miller!

Join us on The French Way of the Camino de Santiago from Madrid, October 18th - 28th, 2026. ACT FAST! If you are interested, please follow the link to the Insiders Camino and sign up as soon possible.

We have chosen to work with Insiders Camino because of the extraordinary and thoughtful way they have curated these particular Camino pilgrimages. The company is run by two Anglican Christians who have lived in Spain for many years. There is a real emphasis on the spiritual dimension of pilgrimage with a portion of your fee supporting the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago. The opening worship service is led by the Episcopal Bishop of Spain with opportunities for reflection and prayer each day. The planning and logistics are all top-notch and thoughtfully-designed - from dinner at the oldest restaurant in the world in Madrid, carefully-chosen hotels and guest houses along the route, to having a support vehicle nearby as we walk, easing any concerns you may have about difficulty. You may walk as much, or as little, as you desire. We are delighted to offer this special Camino pilgrimage.

Learn more and sign up here:

https://stcecilias.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8a707b721ceabf3492cded699&id=44d87180a1&e=abdcd15c9b

French Way Pilgrimage – Madrid to Santiago 11-night French Way church pilgrimage from Madrid to Santiago. Walk 73 miles with your church community, Prado Museum, coach support, quality hotels.

I am interviewing shelter dogs this week to join us on The Howlelujah Tour in August. Yesterday I met Luther and Mary Rose! Who will be the Chosen Dog and help us make a difference for our animal friends?! Special thanks to the kind, patient and amazing staff at the Gardenia Janssen Animal Sheiter!