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dwight j. friesen

dwight j. friesen

neighbor | practical theologian | author | he/they

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Culture Creating

“River” Leon Bridges

“River” Leon Bridges

River by Leon Bridges Been traveling these wide roads for so long My heart’s been far from you Ten-thousand miles gone Oh, I wanna come near and give ya Every part of me But there is blood on my hands

Dwight J. Friesen March 24, 2023March 24, 2023

Nones, Dones & Ums

Nones, Dones & Ums

I recently facilitated a Community Forum conversation at St Luke’s, in which we were trying to listen to and learn from some of the research on people who claim to be done with church. Here is my slide deck. Peace,

Dwight J. Friesen March 13, 2023March 24, 2023

Joplin & Jones

Joplin & Jones

A good friend sent me a link to a stunning performance of “Raise Your Hand” by Janis Joplin & Tom Jones, which aired on his TV show back in 1969. Enjoy. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen February 6, 2023February 6, 2023

Church Post Christendom . Part 2

Church Post Christendom . Part 2

This weekend will be the second, in a three week conversation, I’m facilitating with my congregation about life after Christendom, during our Community Forum. I’ve titled the series: “Conversations After Church.” Below you will find my “week two” slide deck,

Dwight J. Friesen January 27, 2023February 3, 2023

Church Post Christendom . Part 1

Church Post Christendom . Part 1

Beginning this Sunday I will be facilitating a three week conversation with my congregation about life after Christendom, during our Community Forum. I’ve titled the series: “Conversations After Church.” Below you will find my “week one” slide deck, followed by

Dwight J. Friesen January 20, 2023February 3, 2023

SDGs as a Faithful Expression of One’s Spirituality

SDGs as a Faithful Expression of One’s Spirituality

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

Dwight J. Friesen January 16, 2023January 16, 2023

“O Holy Night”

“O Holy Night”

O Holy Night performed by Ben Caplan I have to give a shout out to Zach W. Lambert for his outstanding Twitter thread in which he walks through the story behind “O Holy Night,” highlighting the prophetic invitation of its

Dwight J. Friesen December 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Fusion & Consent?

Fusion & Consent?

Lot’s of excitement from US scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California because for the first time ever they have successfully produced a nuclear fusion reaction resulting in a net energy gain. On

Dwight J. Friesen December 15, 2022December 15, 2022

Advent & Sabbath

Advent & Sabbath

Whatever hemisphere a person lives in, Winter is a season of long nights and short days. Located as I am in the Northern hemisphere, I witness winter turning colder, Canada Geese flying south, Monarch butterflies migrating, bears hibernating, and humans…

Dwight J. Friesen December 10, 2022December 12, 2022

“Stutz”

“Stutz”

At the recommendation of my therapist I just watched a new documentary directed by Jonah Hill, looking into the life and work of the psychotherapist Jonah – himself sees – to help him in navigating his journey from depression unto

Dwight J. Friesen December 1, 2022December 16, 2022

8 Billion Neighbors

8 Billion Neighbors

As of today, eight billion humans are living on planet Earth. A huge milestone officially projected for and being recognized today by the U.N. It was 1974 that the world population first hit 4 billion people. It took from the

Dwight J. Friesen November 15, 2022December 16, 2022

“With or Without You”… again

“With or Without You”… again

The other night Bono was the lone guest with Steven Colbert, promoting his new book… a memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story. After their conversation Bono inhabited a reinterpreted version of “With or With out You” offering a spoken word

Dwight J. Friesen November 9, 2022December 16, 2022

“How to be Alone”

“How to be Alone”

Over the last couple of days I’ve watched and re-watched this short film/poem by the great Irish poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama. So beautiful, as is most of what he puts out into the world. The poem is titled

Dwight J. Friesen November 4, 2022November 27, 2022

“Swan Upon Leda”

“Swan Upon Leda”

Swan Upon Leda by Hozier A husband waits outside A crying child pushes a child into the night She was told he would come this time Without leaving so much as a feather behind To enact at last the perfect

Dwight J. Friesen October 31, 2022November 26, 2022

Missionary Church After Christendom

Missionary Church After Christendom

This week I got to serve as the theologian in residence for the Episcopal Gathering of Leaders clergy event just outside of Portland, Oregon. What a great group of church leaders. It was so inspiring to be with other folks

Dwight J. Friesen October 20, 2022October 21, 2022

“For Calling The Spirit Back From Wandering The Earth In Its Human Feet”

“For Calling The Spirit Back From Wandering The Earth In Its Human Feet”

For Calling The Spirit Back From Wandering The Earth In Its Human Feet by Joy Harjo Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop. Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control. Open the

Dwight J. Friesen October 10, 2022October 10, 2022

“Poem for the Beings Who Arrived”

“Poem for the Beings Who Arrived”

Poem for the Beings Who Arrived By Marwa Helal if you ask me where i come from i have to converse with broken wings. this is a line. and all love is agreement, each day of living: an agree or

Dwight J. Friesen October 3, 2022October 3, 2022

Join the “Urban October” Celebration

Join the “Urban October” Celebration

Today begins the month long celebration and exploration of all things “city” thanks to UN-Habitat’s “Urban October.” This year’s theme is: Mind the Gap: Leave No One & No Place Behind! What are the gaps in your parish or neighborhood? What

Dwight J. Friesen October 1, 2022October 1, 2022

Remembering… Nevermind

Remembering… Nevermind

Thirty-one years ago today – September 24, 1991 – Seattle’s Nirvana released their groundbreaking, sophomore LP, Nevermind… can’t believe that was more than three decades ago! Damn that is one great record. To me Nevermind still feels raw and emotional;

Dwight J. Friesen September 24, 2022September 26, 2022

Urban Economy Forum 4, Roundtable

Urban Economy Forum 4, Roundtable

The fourth convening of the Urban Economy Forum is less than two weeks away. You still have time to register! I will be participating in a roundtable exploring urban policy and public services, our theme is, “Inclusive Urban Finance.” You

Dwight J. Friesen September 19, 2022September 26, 2022

“God Was Willing Sis: I’m Home”

“God Was Willing Sis: I’m Home”

I have recently found a poet whom I am can’t believe I have lived without until now. Her name is Mona Lisa Saloy. I read Dr. Saloy and something opens inside me. So good, so very good! God Was Willing

Dwight J. Friesen September 14, 2022September 14, 2022

Jackson Street Jazz Walk

Jackson Street Jazz Walk

Last night Lynette and I soaked in some great live music at the 9th annual, Jackson Street Jazz Walk. We hadn’t been before, but you can know that this event will be a fixture in our Fall rhythm going forward.

Dwight J. Friesen September 11, 2022September 11, 2022

“If I Reach the Light of Day”

“If I Reach the Light of Day”

Those who know me well, know that I have lived with clinical depression for much of my adult life. It’s probably more actuate to acknowledge that I’ve been navigating depression as long as I can remember, long before any diagnosis;

Dwight J. Friesen September 6, 2022September 28, 2022

“Go Easy Kid”

“Go Easy Kid”

So I was listening to KEXP radio and heard the song “Go Easy Kid.” Monica Martin is a new artist to me, and I’m loving what I’m hearing so far. But this song stopped me in my tracks, I had

Dwight J. Friesen August 27, 2022August 31, 2022

Speaking @ Urban Economy Forum 4

Speaking @ Urban Economy Forum 4

In October I will have the privilege and responsibility to offer a neighborhood-rooted, grassroots-parish, faith-based, gift-economy perspective, that is so vital to the ongoing conversation about sustainable urban economics. The City of Toronto is hosting (in-person & on-line) the fourth

Dwight J. Friesen August 19, 2022August 27, 2022

Bellevue’s Future

Bellevue’s Future

The City of Bellevue is updating it’s “Comprehensive Plan.” This plan is an important tool that will help guide growth and development in Bellevue for the next twenty years. People are at the heart of Bellevue’s plan for the future

Dwight J. Friesen July 8, 2022September 26, 2022

“Envisaging the Future of Cities”

“Envisaging the Future of Cities”

Every two years UN-Habitat releases a major report regarding the World’s Cities. The latest report was just released during WUF11 in Katowice, Poland last week… I even got to be there for the press release. This year’s report, titled: “Envisaging

Dwight J. Friesen July 4, 2022September 26, 2022

Not Observing “Independence” Day

Not Observing “Independence” Day

I have never been a big fan of the ways the United States of America celebrates on July 4th. “Independence” is often a destructive myth which diminishes the importance of relationship. The holiday often seems like an excuse for championing

Dwight J. Friesen July 4, 2022July 4, 2022

Off to Poland

Off to Poland

This Friday I am on my way to Katowice Poland to participate in the United Nations Habitat’s eleventh convening of the World Urban Forum. So I thought I’d offer a bit of an explanation of what I will be doing…

Dwight J. Friesen June 22, 2022September 26, 2022

100 Million Refugees Worldwide

100 Million Refugees Worldwide

Currently we have surpassed 100,000,000 refugees on our planet. That’s more than 100 million people just like you and me, who have had to make the terrible decision to flee the place they love, their home, and what they know

Dwight J. Friesen June 20, 2022December 9, 2022
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Formative Practices

  • Ad Busters
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Celtic Prayer
  • Center for Action & Contemplation
  • Divine Hours
  • God Space
  • Inner Development Goals (IDGs)
  • Insight Timer
  • Lectionary
  • Sloww
  • Spirituality for Trauma Survivors
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Taize

Linking with Organizations

  • Center for World Philosophy & Religion
  • Community Peacemaker Teams
  • Equal Justice Initiative
  • Jesus Radicals
  • Micah Global
  • Sojourners
  • The Global Church Project
  • The Other Journal
  • The Work of the People

Multifaith & Ecumenical Connections

  • Christian Churches Together
  • Faith Action Network
  • Faith For Cities
  • Interfaith Community Sanctuary
  • National Council of Churches
  • Parliament of the World's Religions
  • The Church Council of Greater Seattle
  • The Pluralism Project
  • World Council of Churches

Podcasts

  • Embedded Church Podcast
  • Friends Like Us
  • On Being
  • Queerology
  • Reality Studies
  • Redemptification Podcast
  • Strong Towns Podcast
  • Talking Headways Podcast
  • Tara Brach
  • The Witness
  • Truth's Table
  • Wild

Rooting in Place

  • Better Cities Films Festival
  • CCDA
  • Center For Environmental Leadership
  • Christ & Cascadia
  • City Observatory
  • Compassionate Citizens
  • Design Justice
  • Making Housing Happen
  • Next City
  • Parish Collective
  • Proximity Project
  • Rooted Good
  • Strong Towns
  • The Good Neighbor Movement
  • UN-Habitat

Shalomic Voices

  • Bob & Gracie Ekblad
  • Brenda Salter McNeil
  • Brian McLaren
  • Cornel West
  • Daniel Schmachtenberger
  • Dominique DuBois Gilliard
  • Eliacin Rosario Cruz
  • Esther Lightcap Meek
  • Eugene Cho
  • Iain McGilchrist
  • James Alison
  • James Howard Kunstler
  • John Vervaeke
  • Jonathan Brooks
  • Jonathan Rowson
  • Jonny Baker
  • José Humphreys
  • Kwok Pui-Lan
  • Leanne Friesen
  • Majora Carter
  • Margaret J. Wheatley
  • Mark Scandrette
  • Micah Bournes
  • Mitzi J. Smith
  • N. T. Wright
  • Peter Block
  • Peter Enns
  • Peter Rollins
  • Peterson Toscano
  • Randy Woodley
  • Romal Tune
  • Soong-Chan Rah
  • Thomas Jay Oord
  • Tim Soerens
  • Tripp Fuller

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Recurring Blog Themes

Art Beauty Book(s) Change Church Community Conversation Death Dwight J. Friesen Emergent Village Emerging Church Faithful Presence Justice Leadership Learning Life Love Media Mission Music Neighborhood New Parish Church Poetry Prayer Quest - A Christ Commons Questions Race Reading Recap Relationality Remembering Resources SDGs Seattle Shalomic Imagination Speaking & Teaching Spirituality Sustainability Theology The Seattle School Top 10 Top Ten UN Habitat United Nations Writing

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