We All have the Power: Reflection on Let’s Go Together
I asked this question at our public event at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon last Thursday night: “How many of you are worried about the future of our democracy?” Every hand went up. They join 76% of the US population in this concern. But most people don’t have a sense of what we can…
Read More
Community Wisdom
Community wisdom is the foundation of PTU’s strategy for multi-cultural public partnerships, Let’s Go Together. On May 16, the Skagit partnership’s first cohort of participants will share their experience and vision with the public. Please join us for this celebration of their first successes in building cross-cultural partnerships in Skagit County! May 16 at 7:00…
Read More
Amending the Soil
A few years ago I had a big moss problem in my yard. I live north of Seattle, so moss is hardly a surprise. But it was taking over the yard to the degree that the grass could no longer grow. My eighty-five year old neighbor came over the the hedge between our properties. He…
Read More
Strategic Void
I’ve been involved in numerous presentations addressing the threat of what’s often termed Christian Nationalism to our democracy. This ideology seeks to establish a governance model where Christians permanently hold power, fostering what David Elcott describes as an “illiberal democracy” where everyone’s rights hinge on the whims of a ruling, Christian elite. I want to…
Read More
Preparing the Soil
More than sixty people participated in our second “Let’s Go Together” event on Saturday, a service project held at the Helping Hands Food Bank in Sedro Woolley, WA. After first getting to know their neighbors at our Sharing Food and Stories event a few weeks ago, participants were back to deepen relationships while working side-by-side…
Read More
The Power of Beginning
Many wisdom traditions include the powerful image of a “path.” In these traditions it means a journey from one part of life to another, how we walk the path, and how we walk the path with others. In our culture here in the United States, when we encounter a challenge, the preferred goal is often…
Read More
The Power of Sharing Our Celebrations
This time of year, when the holidays of so many of our traditions begin to overlap, I am filled with joyful memories of the power that lies in sharing about our beloved celebrations. Imagine with me for a moment… The beauty of these stories is that they are not imagination, they are all real experiences…
Read More
Our Assets
The vast majority of people in this nation care about our neighbors, respect people’s rights, and long for a better world. This same majority feels like we are helpless to strengthen our democracy. But wait! We live in every neighborhood. We are the answer we have been looking for! What if people in every neighborhood…
Read More
Potluck for Democracy
Yesterday, I publicly announced PTU’s newest initiative: The Potluck for Democracy. I made the announcement on a webinar hosted by the Parliament of the World’s Religions as a part of their FOCUS24 | Faith, Democracy & Our Common Future: Shaping a Path Forward. FOCUS24 is a year-long interfaith series building capacity, fostering community, and advancing…
Read More