At Kutztown University we asked, “How can you be an advocate for others?” Life is hard and sometimes it takes all we have just to make it through the day. But in all of the people I have interviewed through the years, I have seen that the magic happens when we can take our eyes off our own needs and think about the needs of … Continue reading Advocate
Saturday was a beautiful fall day, much like that other one, a little more than 21 years ago. We had an open schedule and had wrapped up our programming at WVU, so we drove from our campground in West Virginia, through a corner of Maryland and into the hills near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to the site of the Flight 93 Memorial. 7 crew members, 33 passengers … Continue reading Flight 93
Shane Claiborne is a speaker, activist and author. He founded the Simple Way, an intentional community in Philadelphia, building a neighborhood of belonging. And he leads Red Letter Christians, a group that tries to live “like Jesus meant the things he said.” I interviewed Shane at the Sojourners office in DC right after the Moral March on Washington, led by the Poor People’s Campaign. “Courage … Continue reading Shane Claiborne
At Alvernia University, we partnered with the Office of Multicultural Engagement and asked, “How does participating in service provide hope?” At times, I have been asked, “Aren’t you just preaching to the choir?” I don’t think that is the case, but even if it were…the truth is, the choir needs encouragement, too. Working for the common good, concern with building community, striving toward justice…these can … Continue reading Alvernia University
At Millersville University, we partnered with the Intercultural Center to ask students, “What is the unique opportunity or challenge of talking about race at this moment in history?” With a studio one day, quick overnight production, and a lecture on our second day, we were able to use our model of storytelling and photography to reflect their stories back to them. It’s a process that … Continue reading Millersville University
I often describe A Peace of My Mind’s process and development as a walk down a foggy path…where you can see two steps ahead, but not much more. Look any farther, and the path disappears into a murky mist and the destination is uncertain. But, if you commit to walking those two steps, more of the path is revealed. Not much…but enough to keep going. … Continue reading A smarter man than me
Eastern State Penitentiary was built as a monastic experience. Originally designed to house 250 prisoners on the outskirts of Philadelphia, it opened in 1829. The prisoners were kept separate. They weren’t allowed to speak. Their single hour of daily recreation took place in the tiny private yard behind each cell, surrounded by tall walls so they wouldn’t encounter another person. Their meals were passed through … Continue reading Some things don’t work
Tyrone Werts served nearly 37 years of a life sentence in Pennsylvania’s Graterford prison after being convicted of second degree murder. In 2010 his sentence was commuted and he was released on March 14, 2011. While he was in prison, Tyrone says he was shown acts of compassion by people who took an interest in him, which set him on a transformational path which eventually … Continue reading Tyrone Werts
