World Teachers’ Day

banner_1407252028

On World Teachers’ Day, I give thanks for the many teachers who have touched my life.  I give thanks for my many friends who teach. I give thanks for the teachers in my family.

For whom do you give thanks?

A quality education offers hope and the promise of a better standard of living. However, there can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers. On World Teachers’ Day, the UN highlights the importance of supportive environments, quality training and rights for teachers, and celebrates the crucial role teachers play in shaping our future. Events are held around the world to highlight the importance of education and to offer advice and encouragement for students who wish to begin a teaching career. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed this Day in 1994.

See you along the Trail.

Leave a comment

Filed under Current Events, Friends, United Nations

Product placement: Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Check out the product placement in this photo of the Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson from the October 2014 issue of Ebony magazine. Professor Starks is carry Colonialism, Han, and the Transformative Spirit by my friend the Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim.

Jesse Jackson, Grace's bookSee you along the Trail.

1 Comment

Filed under Books, Friends

Self care 1

The details are on my other blog, but today marked a break through in my self-care efforts. For the first time ever, I did more running that walking on the treadmill.

Over the past few days, I have been humbly and powerfully reminded of the importance of a community in this effort.

It will take a village to help me lose this boatload of weight and improve my conditioning.

For those in the village – thank you!

See you along the Trail.

1 Comment

Filed under Exercise, Food

International Day of Non-Violence

Posting a bit late, from the United Nations:

The principle of non-violence—also known as non-violent resistance—rejects the use of physical violence in order to achieve social or political change. This form of social struggle has been adopted all over the world in campaigns for social justice. The International Day of Non-Violence, celebrated on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence. Every year events take place to encourage States to work together to build a world of tolerance and lasting peace. The UN General Assembly proclaimed this Day in its 2007 resolution A/RES/61/271.

May we make every day a day of nonviolence.

See you along the Trail.

Leave a comment

Filed under United Nations

The Things that Make for Peace

Larissa Kwong Abazia, Vice-Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) visited the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, where I work, for a celebration of the International Day of Peace. Check out what she had to say about her experience.

Leave a comment

Filed under Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations

Purple pandas, Louisville Zoo

Purple Panda

Not flowers,
not real,
but purple, and cute,
just the same.

14 September 2014
Louisville, KY

Leave a comment

Filed under Louisville, Photo

Purple flowers, Laura and Jess’ house 1

IMG_3036.JPG

13 September 2014
Louisville, KY

1 Comment

Filed under Friends, Photo

Purple flowers, Grove City 1

IMG_5441 (800x533)

A stare down with
a butterfly
who seeks to defend
the purple flowers
along Greenwood Drive

26 August 2014
Grove City, Pennsylvania

1 Comment

Filed under Photo

Purple flowers, South Euclid 1

IMG_5416 (800x533)

A bee enjoys
purple flowers in South Euclid.

24 August 2014
South Euclid, Ohio

Leave a comment

Filed under Cleveland Heights, Poem

A Season of Peace

sop_logo_blueThe Presbyterian Peacemaking Program invites us to participate in A Season of Peace from September 7 through October 5. As well as supporting the Peace & Global Witness Offering, there are a number of ways to mark the season:

A Season of Peace is a four-week pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families, and individuals. Through daily peace reflections, family activities, Bible studies, youth activities, an exciting Intergenerational Peace Fair and our new PEACE CARDS for children and families, you will be invited to enhance and expand your focus on your calling as a peacemaker. Expect encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education.

The themes for A Season of Peace are based on the Presbyterian resource The Biblical Witness to Peacemaking, a 365-day walk through the Bible focusing on peace and justice passages.

Path of Peace Daily Reflections

Subscribe to the daily “Path of Peace” reflections and prayers written by participants and leaders of the 2014 Mosaic of Peace Conference.   Subscribe here

Adult Bible Study – The Things That Make for Peace

The Things That Make for Peace is a five-week adult study for small or large groups to be used during A Season of Peace or any time of the year. It focuses on the inner and outer path to peace as foundational to faithful discipleship. Each session has a “dig deeper” section for study through the week.  Download the study here.

Peace Cards

This set of 30 reproducible cards can be used by children and their families and is suitable for mealtime or any time of the day for a brief time of reflecting about peace.  Each includes a question, action and prayer for the day.  Download the cards now.

2 Comments

Filed under Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations