I’ve been really interested in this question of community lately. Especially as we come out of the pandemic, where our experience of community was so drastically changed. Especially as we go into mid-term elections where our sense of a common vision is challenging. Especially as we have spent these last two years on the road, constantly reimagining what it means to belong in a place. … Continue reading Building community
We spent a week this fall at WVU – Potomac State College and asked, “What gives you hope?” I’m reminded of a recent interview I did with Shane Claiborne where he said, “If you want to be courageous, surround yourself with courageous people.” You could say the same for kindness. For generosity. Certainly, for hope. It’s all contagious. It rubs off. Just as much as … Continue reading Hope
A Peace of My Mind visited West Virginia University in Morgantown in September, during their inaugural Week of Purpose, an initiative “designed to deliver inspiring speakers, showcase University resources, offer diverse perspectives and introduce student success tools.” We asked students, faculty and staff to answer the question, “When have you made an impact?” Here’s what people said: Continue reading Impact
As we approach the International Day of Peace on September 21, we returned to our core question for an engagement with the Holocaust Center in Orlando. “What does peace mean to you?” We installed our original gallery exhibit and we set up our studio for a day to capture the stories of 50 members of the community who were invited in to share their thoughts … Continue reading Orlando Peace
A Peace of My Mind visited Wild Goose Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina. Imagine Woodstock for faith and justice people. A couple thousand people camped on a big farm, with music, lectures and art. Folks who believe they are called to make a difference in the world. It was hot. Sweltering. Humid. We set up a studio under a 10×20 tent and asked people, … Continue reading Wild Goose Festival
It’s one of my favorite questions, “When have you made the greatest impact?” It allows us to remember when we’ve done things right. It recognizes our successes. And it allows us a moment to pause and reflect on when we have been effective, so we can use that as our road map to move forward. More than anything, this question gives us the chance to … Continue reading Montana
We spent last week in residence with Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan, Minnesota. As part of their Lenten “Better Together” exploration, we asked the community, “What can we create together?” You can see a selection of their responses in this video, and find the entire collection in photos below. As you watch, think about how you would respond to the question…as a family, as a … Continue reading What can we create together?
I’ve been thinking about hope lately. How it sustains us, where we find it, how we share it with others. “Love after loss has given me hope.” There is hope in watching the snow slowly recede from the landscape, knowing that spring is on its way. There is hope in seeing a city street renamed to honor an unsung hero whose recognition was long overdue. … Continue reading Hope
We landed in Georgia on the night of the big game. We were there to work with University Extension Agents to help them articulate and tell the story of how they had made an impact in their communities. Needless to say, the mood the next morning was pretty enthusiastic, as UGA brought home the national championship. Go Dawgs! They had been waiting 41 years, after … Continue reading Georgia
The day before the tragic storm in Kentucky, we were working with Extension agents at a statewide conference in Lexington. Extension programs are a division of land grant universities and their goal is to educate entire communities. These folks are charged with integrating the research of an institution into the day to day lives of the state’s residents. Extension agents offer nutrition programs in rural … Continue reading Kentucky
