Category: Uncategorized

What (you may ask if you haven’t been around) is Advent Caroling Madness? It’s the chance to nominate and vote for the best version of a particular Christmas song—a fun way to find new music, feel superior when others vote terribly, and annoy me with …

Local elections used to be (and should be!) about local people already invested in helping better our communities, and then taking official roles to continue that work. In Newberg/Yamhill County in recent years, we’ve been dominated by partisan politics with people who want to bring …

(Message given at Wayside Friends Church on October 13, 2024) When you’re heading to the big family gathering, the first thing you look for is a favorite cousin, right? My favorites (ok, ok, technically they are second cousins) are Vikki and Janet. Vikki was the …

(Message given at Wayside Friends Church on Aug. 4, 2024) The last couple of months have been filled with books, and thinking, and podcasts, and wrestling in my head, and driving, and pondering. I’m in the second half of my fifties, I’ve had major life …

Newberg-Dundee Public Schools are in a massive financial crisis because of gross negligence and mismanagement by the current superintendent and administration. The 2023-24 school budget is the first budget created entirely by the current administration, and until two weeks ago they were seemingly unaware that …

Today is Good Friday, when we remember and enter into the willing sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. I took Elaine to one of my peaceful places, the Mt. Angel Abbey. It sits on top of an isolated hill, and on this gorgeous Spring …

(Sent to the Board and Superintendent Dr. Phillips on Feb. 10, 2024) Dear Newberg-Dundee School Board Members, After listening to last month’s Board meeting, I am writing to detail how the discussion, process, and the actual current Superintendent’s contract are completely out of sync with …

(Message given on January 28, 2024 at Wayside Friends Church. If you would like to read more of Dr. King’s words, I’ve collected and organized many quotes at this link.) Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive …

It’s almost 30 years ago now, but in 1996 and 1997, I spent time talking with people in person and on the brand new thing called the internet (remember the Quakenet list serve, some of my people?) I asked what kind of faith community people …

This was on my “Personal Web Page” (remember those?) back in the 90’s, after I’d spent a year talking in person and online with young adults connected with Northwest Yearly Meeting. The four bold statements were my summary of what I had heard (which I …