This I Believe: Rev. Todd Atkins-Whitley (MDiv, ’18)
Alumnx Council member Rev. Todd Atkins-Whitley first shared this reflection in PSR’s June 2026 Alumnx newsletter, just before summer break. In “This, I believe,” Todd reflects on how ordinary people, moved by faith and hope, have helped expand God’s realm of love through acts of courage, resistance, and care.
This I Believe: Rev. Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (DMin, ’19)
As November approaches, Alumnx Council President Rev. Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff reflects on peace, human dignity, and our responsibility to see the humanity in one another. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, he considers what it means to pursue peace in a world shaped by conflict and fear, without losing sight of our shared humanity.
This I Believe: Rev. B. Dundee Holt (DMin, ’25)
Rev. B. Dundee Holt (DMin., ’25), PSR alumnx and Alumnx Council member, invites us to take a fresh look at a familiar—and sometimes controversial—practice: biblical cherry-picking. Drawing from his liberative approach to scripture, Dundee challenges us to consider how we choose, interpret, and give weight to biblical texts, and what those choices reveal about the beliefs and values we bring to our faith.
This I Believe: Christopher Lowson
Our Alumnx Council meets bi-monthly, and, as part of our closing practices each meeting, we invite a member of the Council to share a personal reflection, “This I Believe.” This month’s reflection comes from Christopher Lowson, who graduated PSR with a STM (now known as the MTS) in 1978. Lowson was awarded a World Council of Churches’ scholarship to study at PSR and previously studied Theology at King’s College in London from 1972-76. After graduating, Lowson was ordained a deacon (1977), priest (1978), and eventually a bishop in 2011. Lowson served in a variety of ministerial roles during that period in London, Hampshire, and Lincoln.
This I Believe – Rev. Christine Haider-Winnett (MDiv ’15)
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.
This I Believe – Rev. Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (DMin ’19, CSR ’24)
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.
This I Believe – Rev. Linda Jaramillo (MDiv ’05)
I believe that this might be one of the most challenging assignments that I have undertaken lately. The first challenge was my willingness to share something so personal and intimate. I teetered between caution and courage; between faith and fear; between private and public. I settled somewhere in the middle of them all. Secondly, there are many forces that contribute to the colonization of our spirit, so I believe that finding my truth has been a pathway to remaining authentic, so I do my best to take myself wherever I go. I learned long ago that I cannot and do not expect you to understand or even agree with me, but I do ask that you believe me.
This I Believe: Rev. Dr. Monica Joy Cross (MDiv ’10, DMin ’21)
The Alumnx Council of PSR meets bi-monthly. As a practice, they take turns sharing “This I Believe.” This month’s post is from Rev. Dr. Monica Joy Cross (DMin ’21)
This I Believe: Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (DMin ’19)
The Alumnx Council of PSR meets bi-monthly. As a practice, they take turns sharing “This I Believe.” This month’s post is from Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (DMin ’19).
This I Believe: Jacob Perez (MTS ’21)
The Alumnx Council of PSR meets bi-monthly. As a practice, they take turns sharing “This I Believe.” We’ll post these inspiring testimonials as they are created. This month’s post is from Jacob Perez (MTS 2021). I believe that one of the most important responsibilities of spiritual leaders is nurturing the theological formation of our…
