The Potluck Project
Beyond Bridges: Growing Something That Lasts
At a recent board meeting, we were deep in discussion about our mission statement. We were throwing around a lot of good ideas—words like “bridge-building,” “unity,” “bias,” “community.” Then, a few of our board members—leaders from Indigenous communities—gently pointed something out. They noticed how much of our language, and the broader bridge-building movement’s language, leans…
Read MoreA Moment Made for Connection: Why PTU’s Work Is So Urgent Now
Something big is happening in our country, and not in a flashy headline kind of way. It’s quieter than that—but no less urgent. Across the United States, people are feeling lonelier and more disconnected than ever. Even as we live closer together and connect more often online, we’re growing farther apart in real life. Robert…
Read MoreA ‘Whole of Society’ Response
We’ve all felt it. It’s not just in our heads—researcher Robert Putnam has been tracking this disconnection for decades. His work shows what many of us already know: since the 1960s, Americans have become more isolated, less trusting, and less engaged in community life. This loss of connection makes everything harder—raising kids, solving local problems,…
Read MoreWalking and Chewing Gum at the Same Time
We’re living in a time of deep urgency. We see real threats to democracy, rising violence, and growing division. People are tired, angry, and worried about what’s coming next. It’s tempting to focus only on the most urgent crises. And to be honest, sometimes we have to. When there’s a fire, you put it out.…
Read MoreFinding Each Other
Last week, we gathered people around tables to discover their shared power. On Thursday, we teamed up with Seattle University’s Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland for a Potluck Project event. We brought together about twenty-two leaders to experience what the Potluck Project is all about. It’s not…
Read MoreCertain Inalienable Rights
I have the cane that Rabbi Levine carved for Father Treacy. It sits beside me now. On it, he carved these words: The road to God is paved with love Unity in diversity These two men dedicated their lives to bringing people together. By unity, they didn’t mean sameness. They meant that we can bring…
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