Let’s Go Together
Anticipation and Exitement
After eighteen months of one-to-one conversations, group meetings, and many details the moment is here. Our first Let’s Go Together (LGT) gathering in Skagit county will take place on Thursday night! We have over 30 groups and 70+ people registered to come. I believe people in this nation are being tempted by a lie: That…
Read MoreGrit, Guts, and Prayer
PTU is deepening its partnership with the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University. We are looking forward to co-creating a series of events about how wisdom communities can strengthen democracy. More about that soon. In my conversations with the center’s director Michael Trice the words “grit” and “guts” have come up. Michael…
Read MoreThis Is the Year
My first day as executive director of PTU was almost exactly six years ago. The board and I knew we had a lot of work ahead of us. The key issues at hand: We started with educational engagements to help groups listen deeply to each other. With the leadership of Jeff Renner, we established our…
Read MoreWill Christians Step Up?
Surveys conducted by IPSOS and Gallup corroborate a sentiment that is palpable: there is significant concern about the division among Americans. So, what is the solution? What steps can we take to remedy this situation? At Paths to Understanding, we are committed to uniting individuals from diverse cultures, traditions, and identities. Our aim is for…
Read MoreLGT Coordinator Joins PTU Team
We have some big news! As you all know, we launched our new Let’s Go Together program this year. We teamed up with almost 20 local groups in Skagit County to bring together neighbors across lines of faith, culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic situation. Now our local leadership team is ready to invite their community members…
Read MoreFinding Calm When Engaging Difference
In today’s increasingly polarized society, it can be challenging to maintain calm and composed when engaging with people across political or ideological divides. Yet, these exchanges are essential for nurturing mutual understanding, empathetic connections, and social cohesion. How do we approach these often sensitive conversations without losing our cool? Understanding the Root of the Differences:…
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