The September Theme: Empathy
September is the month that loses the most daylight as the cool and shortened days of Autumn lie just beyond the horizon. The theme for September is Empathy. “Empathy: -the power of understanding and imaginatively entering into another person’s feelings -identification … Continue reading The September Theme: Empathy
A Tribute to Dr. Carl Spain’s Prophetic Empathy
By Dr. Jerry Taylor *Adapted from Dr. Taylor’s dedicatory message at the opening of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action With the blazing zeal of the prophet Amos, Dr. Carl Spain’s prophetic words left a major … Continue reading A Tribute to Dr. Carl Spain’s Prophetic Empathy
God With Us
One of my favorite names for the Holy One is “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with Us.” We in the church world typically dust this title off around Advent. We read it in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, when the prophet … Continue reading God With Us
Brave Leadership: Bridging Divides & Building Peace
In our divided world where everyone seems to be self-protecting, drawing up sides, canceling out their dissent, and boosting egos or right-ness, creating sincere, safe spaces for hard conversations is a missing practice in our communities. These kinds of conversations, … Continue reading Brave Leadership: Bridging Divides & Building Peace
Empathy Is The Antidote To Shame
As a white person, I have carried shame about my role in perpetuating racism and shame of my white identity. I believe that it is important for me to understand my role as a white person in perpetuating racism in order to be part of dismantling it. Empathy, compassionate accountability, and building shame resilience are tools that support me on my journey of healing from whiteness. Brene Brown says that “shame resilience is the ability to recognize shame when we experience it, and move through it in a constructive way that allows us to maintain our authenticity and grow from … Continue reading Empathy Is The Antidote To Shame
Empathetic Fasting
Carnal fasting He was running everywhere. He was running from home to school, running from school to his afterschool job, from his job back home. Running while wearing extra clothes, a sweatsuit under a sauna suit. Or was the sweatsuit … Continue reading Empathetic Fasting
What Empathy Takes and Gives
“I believe in the sun, though it be dark; I believe in God, though he be silent; I believe in neighborly love, though it be unable to reveal itself.” The quote was an inscription from an underground room where nine … Continue reading What Empathy Takes and Gives
Empathy is Required for Godliness
“…I will learn to deeply care. I will allow myself to feel your pain, to come close enough to be trusted to help you carry the unreasonable burdens that have been placed on you…” Continue reading Empathy is Required for Godliness
Empathy The Power of Understanding
Recently we had a racially motivated crime in Jacksonville, FL (8/26/2023). A white 21-year-old decided that due to his hatred of African Americans (Blacks), he would attempt to gain access to Edward Waters University, the oldest Historical Black University in … Continue reading Empathy The Power of Understanding
Three-Fifths 