Category: Topic of the Week
Our Fine Feathered Friends
I’ve never been much of a wildlife enthusiast, mainly because viewing wildlife entails going outside, and outside is where the things that make me sneeze live. (Note: Indoors is the other place ... Read More
Partners in Formation and Education
One of my fall responsibilities is getting our confirmation classes up and running. Confirmation, for many Lutheran Christians, is an intensive time of religious education for 7th and 8th graders lead... Read More
Higher Education, The Rise of the Nones, and IFYC: Where Do We Go From Here?
I wasn’t always interested in interfaith education. Personally, my worldview and commitment to interfaith engagement and education developed in college, as a result of being introduced to organi... Read More
Engaging the Whole: A Tripartite Theory of Interreligious Education
(Author’s note – the terms ‘interreligious’ and ‘interfaith’ will be used interchangeably in the paragraphs to follow.) This time last autumn, an intra-office email came t... Read More
Fasting for the Chibok Girls: Lessons During Ramadan
Ramadan is in full swing, and even though I am not Muslim and do not observe this holy month as part of my faith tradition, I have a deep respect for my Muslim friends and neighbors and the intense sp... Read More
My Challenge This Ramadan
Each Ramadan, I set myself a challenge. How and what can I improve this year? For Ramadan to me is about setting and overcoming challenges in an attempt to progress spiritually and become a better... Read More
Ramadan and Mindfulness
The sun begins to fade behind the hills. We hear the Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, in the distance, signaling the end of the fast. I take a large swig of water and eat a soft date. The flavors alm... Read More
Leaving Home: A Reflection on Israel
It wasn’t hard to leave home when I left for college at 18. There were very few things to keep me there and very many things to draw me away from it. In fact, until two weeks ago, I never unders... Read More