With heavy hearts, we are taking in the sobering news that the United States has entered active military engagement with Iran, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in a rapidly escalating conflict. As people of faith, we at PSR hold steadfast to our vision for a world where all can thrive. This requires us to recognize that every life is sacred. It challenges us to seek the peace that passes all understanding which, as Jesus says, is not achieved by the exercise of power and force that are the currency of this world.
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In this deeply moving Season 7 finale episode, we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Dorsey Odell Blake, beloved faculty member, mentor, tireless advocate for justice, and prophetic voice in the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) community and beyond, who passed away in March 2025. Dr. Blake first came to PSR in 1968, during a time of national upheaval that he often compared to our own. Inspired by personal encounters with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights leaders, he pursued a theological education rooted in justice, compassion, and community. After graduating in 1971, he remained deeply connected to PSR, through transformative teaching that spanned more than five decades, serving as Professor of Leadership and Social Transformation at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) as well as Dean of the Faculty at Starr King School for the Ministry and pastor at The Fellowship Church founded by his mentor, Dr. Howard Thurman.
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PSR alumnx Rev. Lucas Hergert (he/him) offers a timely and transformative vision in his new book, Impassioned: A Guide to Progressive Preaching (Skinner House Books).
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Rev. MacArthur Flourney, MDiv ’11, and current PSR DMin student, was ordained this weekend as a UCC Minister at Church of the Crossroads in O’ahu, Hawaii.
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PSR welcomes new faculty, Dr. Joshua S. Bartholomew and Dr. Corwin Malcolm Davis, beginning July 1, 2025.
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Dr. Karen Lebacqz, Professor Emerita who taught Ethics from 1972-2009 at #PSR, has published a new book, "Eight Theories of Justice: Perspectives from Philosophical and Theological Ethics."
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It was hard for me to accept that, on November 5, 2024, in the United States, most voters that were allowed to vote cast their ballots for Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. And by returning Senate control to the Republican Party, any extant checks and balances in the Federal government were erased, ensuring Republican control of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government. And this, four years following Trump’s involvement in terrorism targeting fellow Americans four years earlier. While these results were hard for me to accept, this is was what I expected.
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On 18 March 2025, the Hungarian parliament passed legislation that outlaws gay pride events, even permitting the use of face-recognition technology to identify and penalize those who take part in such events. In an attempt to suppress gay pride parades, this hastily-passed law also attacks a cultural institution that is deeply treasured by countless LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies throughout the world. In addition, this law reflects a surging tide of fear and misunderstanding as well as a profound failure of human empathy in a supposedly democratic country and a member state of the European Union.
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Only a month now into the new administration, the cascade of anti-LGBTQ actions on the part of President Trump and his appointees feels overwhelming, but we shouldn’t be surprised given how closely Trump is hewing to the ultra-conservative Project 2025, a plan that calls for, among other things, dismantling the nation’s current and hard-fought legal protects for LGBTQ persons. Not only has the Trump administration called for the government’s recognition of only two genders, it has also banned Transgender persons from serving openly in the US military, sought to prevent access to healthcare for Trans youth, and called for preventing Trans people from participation in sports.
The Trump administration is working at a furious pace to demonize, ostracize, and even criminalize queer people for who we are, and two (among many) recent events demonstrate how Trump 2.0 is seeking to erase us LGBTQ people from the hard-won visibility that we have achieved in the US over the past half century.
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With deep sorrow, we share the news of the passing of Rev. Dr. Dorsey Odell Blake, a beloved faculty member, prophetic leader, and tireless advocate for justice. Dr. Blake, who served as Professor of Leadership and Social Transformation, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of faith, activism, and transformative teaching.
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We are thrilled to celebrate and congratulate PSR alum Mary Kate Becker on her appointment as Associate Director for Mission Integration at Mercy Education, beginning July 2025.
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Migration has been at the heart of the human story for centuries—including the biblical narrative. Faith on the Move invites participants to explore the stories of Moses, Miriam, and others through an immersive, text-centered study that brings Scripture to life. Rooted in shared discovery, this resource offers a space for reflection on the connections between biblical migration stories and contemporary conversations about immigration.
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Pacific School of Religion (PSR) proudly celebrates ten years of visionary leadership by Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, a milestone that underscores his steadfast commitment to progressive theological education, radical inclusivity, and institutional innovation.
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Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion, presented this talk to the Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ at Koloa Union Church on January 28, 2025. The presentation was well-attended by the community and visitors from all over the island.
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Wednesday, April 2 | 10 AM - 3:30 PM Pacific
Emerging Paths of Being, Doing & Disruption
The Unafraid Symposium at PSR
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We mourn the passing of Rev. Phil Lawson, a courageous leader, prophetic voice, and beloved friend of PSR. Throughout his life, Rev. Lawson embodied the values of justice, inclusion, and fearless advocacy. His work in civil rights, interfaith solidarity, and the fight for economic and racial justice has left an indelible mark on our community and the world.
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It was hard for me to accept that, on November 5, 2024, in the United States, most voters that were allowed to vote cast their ballots for Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. And by returning Senate control to the Republican Party, any extant checks and balances in the Federal government were erased, ensuring Republican control of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government. And this, four years following Trump’s involvement in terrorism targeting fellow Americans four years earlier. While these results were hard for me to accept, this is was what I expected.
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It is with a heavy heart that I share the difficult news that our brother, PSR student Luke Vakaliwaliwa, passed away Saturday morning. He was such a joyful and insightful man, and every time I close my eyes, I see his radiant smile and prayerful presence in our weekly chapel. May he rest in peace.
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The Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS) at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is proud to announce the appointment of Rev. Terence L. Mayo (he/they) as the new Coordinator of the African American Roundtable (AART). This vital Roundtable, which has been integral to CLGS since its founding in 2000, focuses on addressing issues of faith, race, and LGBTQ+ inclusion within African American communities.
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The Ignite Institute at PSR brings together personal, communal, and spiritual work from wisdom traditions to provide established and emerging leaders with the vision, resilience, and skills to create a world where we can all thrive.
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We are saddened to share the passing of Risé Jones (MAST '22) whose contributions to PSR's community life, the city of Elgin, and the organization Hamilton Wings, amongst countless number of lives, groups and organizations that she touched, was reflective of her generosity and joy. We honor her legacy and bear witness to her lasting impact on this world.
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PSR is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Heesung Hwang to the position of Associate Professor of United Methodist Studies, Religious Education, and Leadership. Following a rigorous faculty and community search process, Dr. Hwang has been selected to help shape PSR’s distinctive reimagination of theological education. In addition to bringing outstanding academic preparation and experience, she embodies PSR’s commitment to make theological education more widely accessible and impactful; bring faith to bear on the creation of a world where all can thrive; and a research agenda that centers the wisdom and needs of historically marginalized communities. In addition to her faculty appointment, she will also serve as the Academic Director of Congregational Renewal Cohorts Program—a Lilly Endowment Inc. funded program we are developing around our Theological Education for Leadership coursework.
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In times of grief, the wisdom of our communities and traditions calls us to God, to one another, and to rest. Psalm 30:5 has sustained generations of communities that have known what it is like when those in power do not have their best interest at heart. The Psalmist assures us that “weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
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Fear is never the basis for a positive political outcome. Yes, it is effective in getting results, but it is inappropriate in a democracy. The key to democracy is that what our leaders say and do has to be both effective (results) and appropriate (culture). The right conjunction matters. It cannot be either one; both conditions must be met.
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Kwaray is a community-based learning platform equipping rising faith leaders as they navigate an era of profound spiritual and cultural upheaval. Kwaray heralds a new day in faith leadership preparation amidst an expensive and fragmented educational landscape. Kwaray serves rising faith leaders by offering courses, cohorts, credentials, and community-events from a wide range of seminaries and organizations. The platform offers a variety of community-based learning resources tailored to each learner’s spiritual and professional goals. Kwaray’s mission is to unleash the potential of rising faith leaders as they discover their purpose and take action.
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Watch the recording of the Earl Lecture Series, Part 3, here!
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Watch the recording of the Earl Lecture Series, Part 3, here!
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Berkeley, CA - The Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS) at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is honored to announce the 14th Annual Georgia Harkness Lecture. This year's speaker, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, a renowned theologian and justice advocate, will present Sacred Reckonings with the Doctrine of Discovery’s Betrayal, exploring the intersections of queerness, resistance, and justice. The lecture will be held virtually on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 4 PM (Pacific).
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Watch the recording of the Earl Lecture Series, Part 1, here!
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