If you follow my blog at all you know that I am passionate about helping realized the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I often say the the 17 SDGs are audacious as they are beautiful and are a profound and
My school, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, is in the process of hiring two full-time core faculty positions, a number of adjunct instructors, plus a handful of other vital roles. If you, or someone you know invests their
Today at sun down our Islamic sisters and brothers enter into the holy season of Ramadan. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, community, and giving. The
I raise up my voice, not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. Malala Yousafzai International Women’s Day is observed on March 8th, every year. The day is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating
Today is the third of March. An important day in my life, for it marks my birth, and so much more… March 3… 1263 – Hugh of Saint Cher dies; he reputedly compiled the first Bible concordance, and divided the
As you may know at the end of 2023 the world observed the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This bold and beautiful series of 30 articles, is a milestone document in the history of human rights.
It’s Inhabit time! As you may know the annual Inhabit Conference, is convened by Parish Collective, whose mission is to connect people to be the church in the neighborhood. Inhabit is a two-day event filled with stories, learning environments, music/art
Speechless and grieved upon learning of the death of one the the truly beautiful people on this planet… Brian Bajari died Tuesday, February 20, 2024; this year Brian would have been 53. If you were blessed to have encountered Brian
So my partner is a public school teacher, while I teach at a grad school; part of what that means, is that our breaks rarely line up. So this year I took an extended weekend during Lynette’s midwinter break, to
Without Love by Kitty Tsui I cannot do without love the way I make myself do without food or sleep or sex I cannot do without love sometimes I rummage through my papers scraps of dreams thoughts from long ago
This week author, Rev. Leanne Friesen – former pastor and current Executive Minister of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec in Canada – saw her first book officially released… I am also very grateful to be her brother-in-law. Leanne
I’m joining Chris Elisara and the folks at Faith for Cities seeking to harness multi-faith insights and actions in the face of an unparalleled era of urbanization. As we know more than eight out of people people on the planet
My colleague Joshua Montoya sent me a link to the above video. It feels so alive inside me. Please watch it and wonder about it. What is the invitation coming to you, and yours. “The metacrisis is your daily experience of
Speakers: James Bhagwan, Julia Rensburg, Tara van Ryneveld. Remove: Episcopal Nana Firman & Meryne Warah, H.E. President Wavel Ramkalawa Islamic Dev Bank/Islamic Solidarity Fund, Phoebe Chatfield Faiths for a Just Transition: Bottom up & Systemic Approaches from Affected Communities 🌍
While I wasn’t able to attend COP28 in person, it’s been so great to the reports from my multi-faith colleagues about the remarkable advancement in the active participation of world’s faiths, religions, and spiritualities in the conversation. 84-85% of the
Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan is updated about every 10 years. The 2024 update, to guide Bellevue’s development through 2044, is now underway. The update includes an environmental impact statement as a requirement of the State Environmental Policy Act. The EIS includes
Earlier this week – Tuesday, I think – a couple of hundred Anabaptists convened in the House of Representatives’ Cannon House Office Building, in Washington DC, to call for a permanent cease-fire in Palestine. The Mennonites sang songs of peace
Some of the people of faith I’ve been collaborating with to activate our respective traditions to engage the SDGs for a more sustainable urban future for all everything alongside UN-Habitat and the World Economic Forum have just published a new
Last night Billie Eilish performed on Saturday Night Live and I thought it was simply beautiful. What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish & Finneas Baird O’Connell I used to float, now I just fall down I used to
UN-Habitat, World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12), will be assembling around this time next year… November 4-8, 2024. Mark your calendar and begin making plans. I am hoping to convene – or co-convene – two gatherings in Cairo, Egypt to coincide
For a number of years now, UN-Habitat has been earmarking the month of October as “Urban October.” Our goal is to draw humanity’s attention our cities in order foster conversation, engagement, and movement toward a better urban future for all
Systems thinkers, organizational innovators, and localists Deborah Frieze and Margaret Wheatley, with the Berkana Institute, have developed a very helpful model for better understanding the complex process of systems change. Their model – among other things – thoughtfully attends to
Here are links to three very helpful UN-Habitat reports reflecting back on 2022. My apologies for not posting these sooner, but here they are: Peace, dwight
If you’re a regular to my site you might recall that I have had the privilege of serving as the “substitute pastor” for an ELCA (Lutheran) community here in Bellevue since January 2022. Even though I am not ordained Lutheran
Last month The U.S. Surgeon General released an important report outlining the nation’s loneliness epidemic. Among other things the report demonstrates that loneliness has a equivalent impact on one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes’ a day. The report provides some
“Farther, Son” by Peter Gabriel Father, son Locked as one In this empty room Spine against spine Yours against mine Till the warmth comes through Remember the breakwaters down by the waves I first found my courage Knowing daddy could
Every week during my tenure serving at St Luke’s church I have the opportunity to write a newsletter article. I love this writing process, and think of it as a vital aspect of pastoral care. For me, writing is a
Last Saturday, at the end of the end of the Winter trimester low residency retreat, The Seattle School held its “Day of Scholarship.” There was a fantastic scholarship poster session showcasing some exciting submissions from current students, alumni, staff, and
One week left! As a child I found this final week was almost unbearable… anticipation overload! Time off school, gifts to open, gifts to give, fun events in my neighborhood, school, church and extended family. Just a different kind of
Well, I’m finished with classes for the trimester. Of course there is still assessment of student work to complete, a few details for next trimester’s syllabi and online classrooms to button up, and preparations for the January low-residency retreat and