NEWS

“The new century promises to disclose events and conditions in society of a widely revolutionary character. What ought to be the attitude and function of a theological seminary at such a time? It ought to crave for itself due share in shaping the new order of things.” —John Knox McLean, President of Pacific School of Religion, 1884 More than a century ago, during a period marked by social upheaval, economic disruption, and rapid technological change, PSR President John Knox M

I grew up in South-Central Los Angeles during the mid–Civil Rights era, too young at the time to fully understand what was happening around me. My neighborhood was a small street that ended in a cul-de-sac, and everyone on the block pretty much knew one another and looked out for each other. The community was predominantly African American, and so was my school, with maybe one or two White or Hispanic children attending. This was my childhood and my cultural comfort — until I

As we share news from our Claremont School of Theology, let me express our deep appreciation for Disciples Seminary Foundation. We have enjoyed a long-term collaborative relationship with DSF, and we greatly value the Foundation’s vision and commitment to theological education. A personal thank you to Rev. Dr. Christy Newton and the entire DSF staff. They are great to work with, and their support of CST is overwhelming. Instead of the usual positive achievements reports, I w

“The Year as a House” by Jan Richardson Think of the year / as a house: door flung wide / in welcome, threshold swept / and waiting, a graced spaciousness / opening and offering itself to you. Let it be blessed / in every room. Let it be hallowed / in every corner. Let every nook / be a refuge and every object / set to holy use. Let it be here / that safety will rest. Let it be here / that health will make its home. Let it be here / that peace will show its face. Let it be he

The world is a little bit dystopian right now. Global chaos? Misogynistic and transphobic laws? Genocide? Check, check, and check.  And yet – joy exists. In fact, joy is a powerful antidote to empire and control. Don’t let the emperor steal your joy.  One way I deepened my joy this year is by praying the rosary. Yes, I know this is unusual for a Disciples crowd. Mine is a Divine Feminine rosary that honors the Catholic form while adapting it expansively. You might hear, “Holy

When I was asked to write about peace, I thought it would be simple. It felt like a theme woven so deeply into my life that the words would rise to the surface. In elementary school, we began each day by reciting the Peace Builders Pledge: I am a Peace Builder; I pledge to praise people, to give up put-downs, to seek wise people, to notice and speak up about hurts I have caused, to right wrongs; I will build peace at home, at school, and in my community each day . Later, in m