For more of my writing, visit my Substack blog: https://prayerfulkitchen.substack.com/
Books Listed Below:
Buttermilk and Dragonflies
Phe and the Work of Death
In the Beginning Was The Word: An Anthology
Books
We revel in the action of the holiday seasons, roasting our turkeys for Thanksgiving, trimming our tree and wrapping presents for Christmas, and hiding eggs and roasting hams for Easter. But life mostly happens in the in-between times that fill our days from holiday to holiday. In this book, Mary R. Hemmer reflects on “ordinary time,” a word used by the church to mark the days between feast days. From her experiences as an Episcopal priest, chaplain, cook, author, and mom, she pulls out and examines the extraordinary in the ordinary. She invites her readers to join her in choosing not to miss the inspiring moments found in everyday life. By changing our lenses in small ways, we begin to see and then celebrate those things that make “average” days anything but.
When we die, do we die alone? Even when surrounded by loved ones, the dying person enters into an aloneness, a realm where the living cannot reach. But is it possible that other beings surround us as we enter and then depart the final earthly stage? Author Mary Hemmer (Demmler), an Episcopal priest, allows us to hear the voice of such a being, a companion and guide during the very last stage of life in a variety of human beings undergoing the ultimate separation. We, too, hear Phe’s voice as we visit the dying with her, feeling the hope of the presence and knowing their compassion and awareness of centuries-long experience with dying. In the process, we witness changes even in the beings themselves. This is a comforting book filled with love and hope.
Print Versions of Phe and the Work of Death (not complete list)
Digital Versions of Phe and the Work of Death (not complete list)
In a secluded valley in the mountains of North Carolina a group of women meet to write, share, and have communal fun. A result of this creative community is the anthology, In the Beginning Was the Word. Filled with writings of hope and light, it includes meditations, essays, poems, stories, and word games.
Mary Hemmer, Contributor
NOTE: All proceeds go to benefit the Valle Crucis Conference Center.
Reviews
What people are saying about Phe:
Phe and the Work of Death defies easy categorization or summary. One has to experience it for oneself: the gentle weaving of imagination and thoughtful characterization that leads to a new understanding of and hope for our own deaths and the deaths of those we love. I wept tears of gratitude when I read this. Just as Phe was a companion to the men, women, and children in this book, she is now a companion to me when life is hard or tragic. That’s how real she becomes in Mary Hemmer’s (Demmler’s) hands.”
The Rev. Patricia Boswell, Former Hospice Chaplain
“Perhaps there is nothing scarier than imagining what happens at death, and we have wrestled with our own mortality for as long as we have walked this earth. We are blessed to have some among us who show how love, peace, and hope lighten the path we all walk. Mary Demmler is one of these truth-tellers, and the story she offers pulls back the curtain so we can catch a glimpse of the Spirit at work.”
The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham, rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia
“Mary Hemmer (Demmler) has given form and imagination to the spiritual and mysterious process of dying. Her words have a lovely and haunting way of working themselves into one’s consciousness to offer assurance and comfort to the dying, their loved ones, and their caregivers.”
The Rev. Terry Moore-Painter, Former Oncology Chaplain, Cone Health
Phe and the Work of Death is a moving collection of stories that offer a glimpse into the often-painful reality that is death. The theme is simple and straightforward, but the details are complex and emotionally engaging, and as the spouse of a clergyman, I found great comfort in the stories. This collection is an ode to healthcare workers, and it is worthy of extra attention. To be seen by an author and written into a story in such an honest way felt like a personal honor. I love this book, and I can’t wait to share copies with my nurse buddies!
Neile Bruce Chambers BSN RN
I continue to enjoy the many contributions Mary Reynolds Hemmer has made in my life journey. I found her book, Phe and the Work of Death, enlightening as we deal with our death and the death of love ones. Her workshop was a gathering of ladies who were encouraged to be “ok” with sharing our feelings. I enjoy regularly reading her blog Prayerful Kitchen.
L. Simpson
Prayerful Kitchen 