by Karen Huber & Mark Magie
The Community of Hope in Arkansas gathered for its annual regional retreat Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock. Forty four were in attendance to hear guest speaker Reverend Doctor Denise Van Meter, who spoke on familiar scriptures from Jesus and the Woman at the Well (John 4:7-28), and Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), and challenged everyone to see them through the lens of the healing power of listening.
Table groups discussed the Samaritan woman at the well, guided by Rev. Van Meter to focus on facts, feelings and reactions, questions and connections. The groups were excited to share, so there was excellent participation.
Rev. Van Meter emphasized that chaplains, as they minister to people in the world, ensure others know they are in a safe space, have connections without any judgment and feel permission to express their emotions. Her passion and energy guided the participants to acknowledge grief and loss, fostering a deeper love for Jesus.
Rev. Craig Williams of Southbend United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, opened the day with piano music, leading the singing of “Ten Thousand Reasons” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Members of St. Margaret’s, Skip Cochran read the daily Rule of Benedict, and Karen Huber offered a brief history and update on Community of Hope International, inviting new members to join the council to help plan future retreats.
Food during the day was plentiful from the breakfast/snack table prepared by Jan Hart of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock, to the lunch prepared by St. Margaret’s member John Madden who is famous for his “Wild Man” steak and chicken dinners.
After lunch, Rev. Van Meter challenged the groups to discuss the similarities and differences between the Samaritan woman and Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. The group members wrote on Zenga blocks areas of grief or loss and stacked them to see what eventually made the blocks fall. They were encouraged to write ways to counter or deal with grief on the other side of the blocks.
The retreat ended with a Blessing of the Hands service in the sanctuary led by Rev. Van Meter, accompanied by more beautiful piano music and quiet time, which filled hearts to overflowing. After dismissal, some toured the Arkansas House of Prayer on the St. Margaret’s campus and walked the labyrinth.
From Leitchfield, Ky., Rev. Van Meter earned a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Kairos University where her focus was facilitating conversations about loss and grief. She has served as a children and youth minister, an associate campus pastor, and a university professor. “Community of Hope is one of the most inspiring groups I have worked with. I was honored to be a part of their retreat, leaving encouraged by their stories and ministry,” Rev. Van Meter said.
More than 300 have graduated from CoHI training under the leadership of Jenny Smith of St. James United Methodist Church and Rev. Dr. Joanna Seibert of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Little Rock. The first group of COH graduates were commissioned lay chaplains in 2003.