In May our guest speaker will be Kava Schafer, MDiv, MA. The title of her presentation is "Building Resiliency, Living with Uncertainty." Ms. Schafer is a non-denominational chaplain with the Abramson Cancer Center's Palliative Care Program. She plans to present on ways of gaining control when living with myeloma, avoiding distress and coming to peace with dying. She is a compassionate speaker and listener who has helped many live with their severe, chronic illnesses with more peace within themselves.

Kava Schafer, MDiv, MA is the palliative care chaplain at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Kava received her MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. Holding a graduate degree in Holistic Spirituality and certified as a spiritual director, she incorporates holistic strategies in her accompaniment of people living with cancer. Chaplain Schafer is also a Reiki master. She has written numerous articles on the role of spirituality, healing, and the cancer experience. Her most recent article is titled: Death as Spiritual Teacher:  End-of-Life Lessons for the Living published in Presence:  an International Journal of Spiritual Direction, June 2011.  Kava also maintains a private practice as a spiritual director for individuals, couples and families.

PMMNG meetings are held the second Saturday of every month (except August), 1:30 – 3:30 PM, at the Ralston House, 3615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (near the University of Pennsylvania campus). There is free parking behind the building, accessible from Ludlow Street.

Newcomers are especially welcome.