Remembering PSR Student, Luke Vakaliwaliwa
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.
CLGS Welcomes Rev. Terence L. Mayo as Coordinator of the African American Roundtable
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.
Change Happens Now Podcast: The Future of Mentorship for Emerging Leaders of Color
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.
PSR Honors the Legacy of Risé Jones
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.
Dr. Heesung Hwang to serve as Associate Professor of United Methodist Studies, Religious Education, and Leadership
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.
The importance of our work in this historical moment
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.”
The End Always Has a Beginning: An Election Day Reflection by Dr. Leonard McMahon
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.
PSR President David Vásquez-Levy Appears on In Trust Podcast
The Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, president of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, discusses how the school is using its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant to create a new ecosystem that includes not just technology but also efforts to reconsider educational modes and methods. The school’s programming includes a stackable curriculum and challenges traditional…
Kwaray, a community-based learning platform for emerging faith leaders, is live
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.
WATCH: The Earl Lecture Series Part 4
Watch the recording of the Earl Lecture Series, Part 3, here!