Blog Posts

Go and Do Likewise

January 3, 2024

Go and Do Likewise: Following Jesus into our Common Humanity By Terry B. Kyllo Executive Director, Paths to Understanding Formats: Print, eBook, and Audio Book Available: Wherever books are sold Schedule a conversation with the author for your congregation or organization: together@pathstounderstanding.org Description: We don’t have to live divided! We are living in a time…

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Faith Leaders: Time to Get in the Game

January 2, 2024

I was ordained 32 years ago and have since heard many conversations about the diminishing influence of wisdom traditions in the US. There are numerous reasons for this, which I won’t list here. While some find ancient traditions less relevant, many others still yearn for meaning, mystery, and community—feelings sometimes found at concerts or sporting…

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Winter Newsletter 2023

December 26, 2023

Click HERE to read our Winter 2023 print newsletter. WHAT’S INSIDE: Please consider making a contribution to our winter fund drive. Donors receive the printed version of our biannual newsletter. DONATE HERE

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Neighborhood Emergency

December 19, 2023

In the last two months, we have seen over 2,000 antisemitic incidents in the United States.In the last two months, we have seen over 2,000 anti-Muslim incidents in the United States. Our Jewish and Muslim neighbors are often spending $1,000 per week on security. Individual members of each tradition have to consider carefully if they will…

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Permission For Violence

November 30, 2023

Recently, someone came to me concerned about the rise in antisemitism and anti-Muslim sentiment in our country. We discussed how influential figures, including some in the media, can inadvertently promote these biases. For instance, there’s concern about conflating Muslims with extremist groups or making insensitive remarks about Jewish communities. This person had heard my talks…

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Countering Collective Blame

November 14, 2023

A few weeks ago, I encouraged people to show support for Jews and Muslims in the United States: to show up – with permission – and stand outside places of worship holding signs of support. Since then, we have seen increased acts of violence against both of these communities. Look at the news, even locally,…

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Eat & Share Stories

November 10, 2023

This past Sunday, a dozen Council members for Let’s Go Together in Skagit County, and volunteers from the community, gathered at Skagit Valley College to Eat and Share Stories – the first official event in our Let’s Go Together program (LGT). The purpose of this pilot gathering was to test our strategy and logistics in…

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Power and Inadequacy of a Calling

November 7, 2023

This past month, like many of you, I’ve been mourning the loss of lives in Gaza and Israel. My heart aches for peace there, just as it does for Ukraine, the Uyghurs in China, civil conflicts in Central Africa, and other troubled places around the world. I also yearn for us to truly live up…

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Time to Get Off Our Pews

October 30, 2023

This week I am writing primarily to my Christian siblings. It is also applicable to other traditions. But some responsibilities come with being the majority wisdom tradition. Our Jewish and Muslim neighbors need us. They need us now. I have spoken at length about dehumanization and how it leads to violence. We are in a…

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