Responding to this Moment: Part 2

Last week I spoke about some of the inner resources and strategic approaches we need to sustain long-term work on the big challenge of social isolation. I want to wrap up this reflection on responses by talking about the central tactics of Paths to Understanding’s work. We are aiming to create a cohesive set of…

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PTU a Community Fellow with Seattle University’s CEIE

We are excited that Paths to Understanding is the first Community Fellow with the Seattle University’s Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement for 2024-2025 school year. At PTU’s December Board meeting the Board approved with great excitement this partnership. The Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE) at Seattle University is committed to working alongside…

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Meeting This Moment: Part One

(This is the first of three articles in a series.) To function well for its citizens, our society needs three major assets, according to Jonathan Haidt and other experts: About 75% of Americans are worried about the state of our democracy. Robert Putnam says our social capital is at a one-hundred-year low. At the same…

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A Look Ahead

I remember how I felt at this time last year—filled with hope and anticipation for our Let’s Go Together process in Skagit County. We had a plan, a new coordinator, and some courageous leaders and organizations willing to take a chance with us. At that point, about 10 people had signed up to participate. In…

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Ripple Effects

Tom Friedman argues that humanity is currently facing two immense challenges: These forces are reshaping our world at an overwhelming pace, creating deep anxiety for many. However, I believe he overlooks a third critical challenge: the loneliness of individuals and the isolation of groups. Individual loneliness has become both a public health and mental health…

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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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