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Daniel Nicewonger

Spiritual Formation Catalyst

Working to help people respond to the Spirit's call in the midst
of their everyday lives so that they may experience what Jesus describes as,
"life to the full."

Partners Creating Community

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Partners Creating Community co-founders Kristen Webber and Brian Dodd join Nick and Dan to share their work. 

Partners Creating Community is the bridge linking three innovative, not-for-profit community organizations in an initiative designed to expand opportunities for our neighbors with intellectual differences.

Partners Creating Community’s goal is to offer a holistic approach to serving individuals of all abilities. This approach includes a safe and stimulating farm home, meaningful work that meets real community needs, and educational and vocational programs that provide opportunities for Contributors to become more active and engaged members of their communities.

Ben gave Dan & Nick a tour of the bakery where he works as a contributor. It was clear Ben was proud of the bakery and proud of the people he worked alongside.

Ben took time from his break to show us around and introduce us to the people he worked with. Thank you, Ben.

 

Navigating Health Concerns

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As a caregiver, learning how to find resources and medical aides is an essential part of caring for someone with a long-term illness.

As a caregiver, my medical knowledge is limited, and I am currently learning how to navigate each health concern.

Recently we helped my father-in-law with his mobility difficulties by purchasing a lift chair. This aide helped him stay mobile for several weeks before he passed away.

Finding and understanding these medical aids and tools is a challenge for caregivers that do not have a medical background.

Finding ways to learn how to work through medical concerns is essential to the caregiving journey.

AI Explained

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AI Explained: Guiding Kids Through The Tech Maze

AI seems to be a “hot topic” these days. How are we to understand it? What is really taking place, and how much is truly changing right now?

If you struggle to fully understand the depths of AI, you are not alone. Into the void of clear understanding are voices speaking about AI as the best thing since sliced bread or the end of society as we know it. It is important for us to do the work of increasing our understanding of what is truly happening right now.

Even more important is the question, “How do we help our children navigate this new reality?”

Join Dr. Chris Wells, Luke Zubrod, and Dan Nicewonger as we explore navigating the world of AI.

Do I REALLY Look Great?

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When someone tells Dan, who is suffering from cancer, “You look great,” I often feel there is a more compassionate way to greet him.

During the cancer journey, Dan and I have noticed the decline in how he looks and moves due to the hardship on his body.

For others, the bias of wanting him to be healthy often leads them to say, “You look great.”

As a caregiver, I receive this as insensitivity, not as a positive outlook.

When speaking to someone with a long-term illness, it may be better to ask a question such as, “How do you feel?” as opposed to giving an uninformed assessment of how you feel the person looks.

Asking a question may be a compassionate way to learn more about how the person is doing.

The Power of Collaboration: Mighty Writers and the Community

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Nick and Dan sit down with Sara Dickens-Trillo of Mighty Writers.

Sara shares the vision of Mighty Writers and how COVID caused a shift in their focus that has helped shape the way Mighty Writers serves the community.

A great conversation that highlights the need for us to be aware of changes within the community and have the courage to make changes to serve the needs that exist.

To learn more: https://mightywriters.org/chester-county/

Fighting -vs- Living

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Language is powerful. Words have meaning, and what we speak has the ability to alter how we experience the journey.

Fight language is familiar

My cancer journey began in May 2016. It has certainly been a roller coaster ride. There have been ups and downs, twists and turns, and even a few loops where it felt like I was completely upside down. One of the lessons I have learned is that how we speak matters. Language is powerful. Words have meaning, and what we speak has the ability to alter how we experience the journey.

People often speak of “fighting cancer.” There is something empowering about envisioning ourselves going to battle against the cancer cells seeking to destroy our bodies. When chemo day rolls around, the image of fighting can help us muster that last ounce of strength so we can make it to the appointment.

Family and friends often speak about me “fighting the good fight.” They marvel at how I continued to work five years post-diagnosis while undergoing treatment. Once out on disability, the comments spoke of how I continued the “fight” and found ways to build community and work for the common good.

What if we talked about Living?

I understand the fight language. It fits our culture and communicates one piece of a cancer patient’s journey. A part of me resists (even outright rejects) the idea of “fighting cancer” and prefers to talk about “living with cancer.” It may sound like semantics, simple word games, but for me, the change in language unleashes a new way of living. Let me share why the change from fighting to living is so significant. [Read more…]

Big News Brings Big Emotions

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As a caregiver, it is difficult to process changes in Dan’s health situation; big emotions often accompany new information about his cancer journey.

During long-term illness, there can be good news, but there can also be “bad” news.

Processing information about how an illness is changing is different for everyone, including caregivers.

In our situation, we often keep the news to ourselves before we share it with others.

Big emotions often accompany health news, and we have to process those emotions before we can share the news with others.

 

About Pastor Dan

Daniel has been a seeker his entire life, seeking a deeper relationship with Abba Father. He has served as pastor for American Baptist churches in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. His passion is to "help people encounter God in the midst of their everyday lives." He writes with a transparency intended to allow others to see the struggles that lead to healing and life. Daniel currently serves as Spiritual Formation Catalyst for A Place in the Conversation.

The Journey Continues

Daniel's journey was disrupted when the doctor said, "You have stage IV colon cancer." Questions of "Why" and "If only" crowded his mind. Can one encounter God in the midst of a cancer journey? Join this seeker as he shares the pain and joys of this journey not of his choosing. Daniel's wife, Nancy, joins in sharing some of her thoughts, and feelings as she watches her husband fight his battle.

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