Once again our nation is hit by a violent terrorist attack with clear racist motivations. The perpetrator is a 21 year old white resident of South Carolina. The internet is alive with debate about the root nature of the attack. Conservatives attempt to paint the incident as an attack against Christianity. Post after post refer to the attacker as a “troubled youth”.  The clear dialectic between how our nation views whites and people of color is clear. When a black... Read more

Maybe the word that best describes my reaction upon reading the recent statement from Pope Francis entitled  “ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME” is stunned. The statement is laced with the language of progressive social, environmental and economic justice.  Reporting on such a profound document and its’ implications upon future inter religious dialogue can at best only scratch the surface of this game changing statement.  Let me urge everyone to set aside time to read the entire document: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html Upon... Read more

Flooded ritual greens at PSG [Photo credit: L. Dake]  The photos are dramatic, This years PSG has been subjected to a flood. As a disaster responder I have witnessed many such events. Following the posts of those present and those witnessing from afar has been insightful.  How does a Goddess centered community respond when disaster strikes?  Simply stated, the response reflects the beliefs that we hold scared. Post after post talks about the efforts of established infrastructure like the Guardians... Read more

There are those moments in life that are so ingrained in a persons perception of divinity that they become central to their spiritual path.  For me one of these seminal moments came on January 16, 2010.  On my knees under a mango tree I was treating victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  There was the sense that I was doing the work of the divine, fully engaged in compassionate service to humanity.  This was no personal accomplishment but a result... Read more

I sit, observe and am overwhelmed by the sense that here in this moment my entire life is whole.  Conversations are animated, mutual respect and love are palpable and I am filled with an overwhelming joy.  My innermost heart is awash with a wellspring of satisfaction.  In this circle I am whole in a way I have never experienced before. So some may ask where does someone experience such complete joy and self-actualization; among a group of accomplished elders maybe... Read more

Activists shout from roof tops, lead emotional protests, confront government oppression, organize the mass feeding of the homeless, lobby Congress, confront animal shows for their treatment of their charges. Consistently those who engage are in our collective consciousness. Within our faith communities we are urged to organize and implement actions that reflect our common vision of social justice.  Our leaders demonstrate passion in their efforts, we are inspired and join in seeking change in the world. Let me, however, propose that... Read more

It is a Sunday morning and my entire being is resistant to the situation I find my self in.  This Pagan who has circled thousands of times in celebration of divinity is sitting in a pew, row after row of individuals surround me.  I see a hymnal in front of me and all the memories of why I left organized religion flood back serving to further enhance the temptation to flee. This Sunday morning I sit in respect for the... Read more

Recently I posted an opinion on a Face Book post that expressed my solidarity with the movement to hold police accountable for their actions. Immediately an individual responded that I should “preach elsewhere”.  The following thread made it clear that some in our community feel that of you advocate for police accountability you are anti police. This line of logic tempts people to believe that if you support accountability you are one of the bad guys.  Nothing could be further... Read more

As we awake to the news of another earthquake in Nepal there is another scramble to determine how we can help, somehow manifest our compassion into real action that positively impacts those in the disaster zones. A plethora of opportunities present themselves, each claiming the title of effective relief. Perhaps if we want to be confident our support reaches those impacted and insure that the support is sustainable we should look at the track records of organizations in maintaining their... Read more

It was an incredible Beltane, I was overwhelmed by the warmth, both from a brilliant sun and the people surrounding me.  Over the weekend I wallowed in community manifest in loving honor of everything we collectively hold sacred.  Over and over my thoughts drifted to what the world would be like if humanity embraced the sense of loving acceptance and community that enveloped me over the weekend. It was during one of these moments, engaged in an inner conversation about... Read more