Potluck in San Antonio
Last night, 100 people from diverse traditions and cultures gathered to share food and meaningful conversations. PTU partnered with local leaders from the Interfaith San Antonio Alliance to host the event at Grace Lutheran Church, just a short distance from the Riverwalk. As you may know, PTU and Seattle University have developed a toolkit to…
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Who Are We?
Who are we? Like many of you, I’m reflecting on the values that shape our actions and beliefs in the United States. There’s a lot of reflection happening right now about what our values are—and this conversation is deeply needed. It’s also crucial to remember how complex we all are, each of us carrying layers…
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Casting out Fear
Love casts out fear. But love is more than a slogan, a meme, or a scolding comment. True love is built in person-to-person and group-to-group relationships. Most of us feel lonely. Most groups don’t connect with others outside their circles. After centuries of layered dehumanization and constant negative news about each other, it’s no wonder…
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Repairing Our Foundations
When I was in 4th grade, we discovered a problem with our house’s foundation. There was a soft spot in the kitchen floor. During construction, they hadn’t removed enough dirt, leading to high humidity and poor air circulation. As a result, some of the posts and beams in the house were rotting. But there was…
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A Deep Breath – and then Let’s Get to Work
As the election approaches, many of us are deeply focused on the outcome. Which direction will our nation go? No matter the result, here at Paths to Understanding, we know our work remains. In his book Upswing, Robert Putnam presents a revealing list of key factors that contribute to a strong and unified nation: His…
Read MoreLet’s Go Together – Public Event 2025
Watch the videos from the 2024 gatherings: Register for the Public Gathering, May 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Theater.
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Honoring Kay Knott, Upper Skagit Elder and PTU Volunteer
Kay Knott is an elder in the Upper Skagit Tribe and a key volunteer with Paths to Understanding (PTU). I first met Kay when she reached out to learn more about PTU’s work. We had lunch and there was an immediate connection. At first, she came just to listen to how we bring people together…
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Our Turn
As I sit at my desk, I have a picture of PTU’s founders, Rabbi Levine and Father Treacy, before me and another one behind me. One I see on my office wall, and one I see whenever I’m recording video messages about PTU’s mission. It has now been two years since Father Treacy was received…
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The Great Connecting
Fifty percent of people in the United States report feeling lonely. Groups are disconnected from one another and trust between us is low. Seventy-five percent of Americans are concerned about the future of our democracy. Alarmingly, four percent say they are ready to use political violence to “save the nation.” Yet, something is happening in…
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