François-Marie Arouet — better known as Voltaire — was born in 1694 and became one of the brightest lights of the Enlightenment. He could not bear injustice, fanaticism, or the silencing of thought.“Il est dangereux d’avoir raison dans des choses où des hommes accrédités ont tort.” It is dangerous to be right when those in power are wrong. Voltaire learned this the hard way: imprisonment in the Bastille, exile across Europe, and constant conflict with authority. Yet he never

In November 2025, I traveled through Japan — a country where neon cities stand beside forests older than memory, and where the sacred is woven into the land itself. On this journey I visited three extraordinary sites that reveal the breadth of Japan’s spiritual imagination. Izumo Taisha — Where the Gods Gather On the western coast of Shimane stands Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines and the home of Ōkuninushi, deity of creation and harmonious relationships. Tradition

Annecy, often called the pearl of the French Alps, is a place where mountains and water meet in quiet harmony. Along the edge of its shimmering lake, centuries of faith have shaped the city’s skyline and its soul. A City Where Water Remembers In the old town, canals trace gentle paths beneath stone bridges and pastel façades. The water moves slowly, like time itself, carrying stories of devotion, resilience, and prayer whispered through generations. Saint-Maurice: Annecy’s Ol

In the heart of Geneva, Switzerland — a city alive with languages, light, and quiet longing — a soft church bell rings across the water. It calls not to tourists, but to anyone seeking stillness, welcome, and a place to breathe. A Church Named for a Promise Along a tree-lined street stands Emmanuel Episcopal Church, its very name offering a blessing:  God with us . Within its simple stone walls, grace feels close and tangible. Every person who steps inside becomes part of a s

At dawn, when mist lifts from the valley, St. Gallen awakens with memory. Its stones whisper of monks, makers, and centuries of devotion and learning. The city is shaped by five guardians of its spirit: a dreaming library, a radiant cathedral, a church of the people, a museum of art, and a museum of thread. Together, they form a living tapestry of faith and knowledge. The Abbey Library — The Breath of Wisdom Entering the Abbey Library feels like stepping into a sanctuary of t

Paris breathes beauty. Every stone remembers; every brushstroke whispers. Walk its streets and you feel art and spirit woven into the city’s heartbeat. Musée d’Orsay — Where Time Stands Still Once a railway station, the Musée d’Orsay now carries us through the 19th century’s great artistic awakening. Monet’s dissolving light, Renoir’s laughter-filled scenes, and Van Gogh’s star-strewn nights reveal a moment when art broke free — daring to feel, dream, and redefine the world.

The 22nd Annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair, held on September 13, 2025, at Esther Short Park, brought together community members to...

This August, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Cuernavaca, Mexico, in the company of eleven other students from the dioceses of Oregon,...

On a warm and colorful Saturday, July 12, 2025, PFLAG proudly participated in Pride in the Park at Esther Short Park in Vancouver,...

In September 2023, I journeyed to Barcelona—a city of color, creativity, and deep spiritual roots. Beneath its vibrant streets lie sacred...

On July 12, 2025,  Pride in the Park  lit up Esther Short Park with joy, color, and community spirit. What began in 1993 as a small...

When school doors close for the summer, many children lose access to the daily meals they rely on to stay healthy. In Washington state...

This video celebrates the power of early childhood and literacy. My intention is to highlight the importance of education, including...

This video highlights the workshop  “Deacons in the World and in the Church,”  held on May 31, 2025, during  Convene at Everett Community...

The City of Vancouver, Washington, hosted its 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Esther Short Park...

On May 31, 2025, over 150 clergy and laypeople gathered at Everett Community College for The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia's Convene , a...

In the fall of 2024, I had the profound honor of participating in a Civil Rights Pilgrimage — a journey that moved not only across state...

We occasionally host  Night Prayer with Taizé , a contemplative evening service rooted in the tradition of Compline—the Church’s...

My ordination ceremony took place at Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, on October 7, 2023, with Bishop Melissa...

Portugal is home to 21 dioceses and 4,380 parishes, a testament to its deep-rooted faith and rich spiritual heritage. I was blessed with...