We had a very good discussion group under the trees in Gabriel Park yesterday for the “Sharing Our Texts” interfaith event. Represented were Islam, Paganism, Judaism, Universalism and Agnosticism/Atheism. It looks like we may be planning an Interfaith Picnic for the spring!
One of the resources I brought to the conversation was an interfaith reading list I’d put together in August 2001 for one of the courses on religious diversity I led in Richmond, Virginia. A request was made to share this online, so in addition to e-mailing the original document, I figured I’d share this here as well.
This is not [...]
It’s unclear now as to whether Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, intends to proceed with his earlier plans to burn copies of the Qur’an on September 11th.
Regardless of what decision Jones makes — nor why he makes it — we’re continuing with our plans to meet at Gabriel Park in SW Portland on Sunday afternoon (1 – 3 p.m.), to share texts from a variety of faith traditions and to simply sit down and talk to one another.
I’ve gotten lots of emails and phone calls about this event. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able [...]
In addition to my work as a writer/journalist I am a seminary-trained interfaith minister and religious diversity teacher.
Naturally, I was outraged when I heard about a Florida pastor calling for a “Burn a Qur’an Day” on September 11 of this year. The Dove World Outreach Center plans to host a bonfire on the evening of 9/11 to burn copies of the Qur’an.
In an attempt to counteract prejudice and hatred, I contacted some of the people I know in Portland’s Muslim community about hosting a “Read a Qur’an Day” instead. These friends improved upon the idea by suggesting an interfaith [...]
I got to thinking this morning about spiritual anchors — the rituals, practices, icons, symbols and more that help to bring us back to ourselves and our beliefs. These anchors are particularly important in times of crisis and confusion, as they offer reassurance and stability in the midst of chaos. In times of celebration, they are reminders of the paths we have chosen and can even help magnify and focus our joy.
Many people find such anchors in nature, though they may not think of them in spiritual terms. For some, the dry air and harsh beauty of the desert hearken [...]
An interfaith gathering in the United Kingdom on May 15 helped dedicate the country’s largest woodland burial park.
Green burials — ranging from simply foregoing embalming to home funerals, woodland burials and sea reef memorials — are becoming increasingly popular, with good reason. To start with, embalming uses chemicals that pose health risks to morticians and which can seep into ground water, and the casket industry uses a tremendous amount of lumber, copper and other metals every year.
Much as many of us struggle against it, death is a natural part of life. No amount of body preservation, concrete grave liners or [...]
We are a part of the world around us. Our physical bodies ground us and ensure our place in our own ecosystem. But with so many distractions, conveniences and demands on our time and attention, it’s too easy to fall into ignoring our bodies — one of my bad habits has been vegging out on the couch with the television on when I’m feeling tired, instead of reaching for a book or just going to bed.
Moving my body — through play and exercise — is the best way for me to reconnect with my physical self. After that, paying attention [...]
There’s more to keeping kosher than simply avoiding bacon or not mixing meat with dairy products. There are laws about what kinds of animals can be consumed, and strict requirements on their slaughter. There are rules about the baking, freezing and other preparation of foods.
Some Jews — and non-Jews — keep kosher, others don’t. Some pick and choose the kosher laws that they will follow — based on convenience, practicality or simply what makes sense to them — and other people follow kashrut to the letter.
But now there’s a new twist on kosher that brings sustainability into the picture.
I’ve recently [...]
|
Now available!
"Jennifer is a dream to work with. I've worked with her on myriad assignments and I've always been delighted with her writing. She's creative at coming up with her own ideas as well as excellent at taking direction and suggestions. Her work is crisp, clean and delivered on time and in the correct format and she responds quickly and professionally to any questions. I highly recommend her for any sort of writing project."
Audrey Van Buskirk
Former Editor, The Portland Tribune
Former Editor, The Portland Physician Scribe
Recent articles
- I was anti-gun, until I got stalked
Salon.com.
[HTML]
- Voodoo Sisterhood
Skirt! Magazine. National.
[HTML]
- Day camp teaches bike skills alongside eco-friendly field trips
The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
[PDF] [HTML]
- Shades of the Shoah
Aish Hatorah. Jerusalem, Israel / International.
[PDF] [HTML]
- Goodbye Green Guilt, Hello Change
Christian Science Monitor. National.
[PDF] [HTML]
- St. Lucia Day greets cyclists with treats
The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
[PDF] [HTML]
- Displaced by March Madness [PDF] [HTML]
Christian Science Monitor. National.
- Class Mixes Snow Caves, Sisterhood
Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon.
[PDF] [HTML]
- Noses Know the Score
Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon.
[PDF] [HTML]
|
|
