I grew up in South-Central Los Angeles during the mid–Civil Rights era, too young at the time to fully understand what was happening around me. My neighborhood was a small street that ended in a cul-de-sac, and everyone on the block pretty much knew one another and looked out for each other. The community was predominantly African American, and so was my school, with maybe one or two White or Hispanic children attending. This was my childhood and my cultural comfort — until I went to college....

As we share news from our Claremont School of Theology, let me express our deep appreciation for Disciples Seminary Foundation. We have enjoyed a long-term collaborative relationship with DSF, and we greatly value the Foundation’s vision and commitment to theological education. A personal thank you to Rev. Dr. Christy Newton and the entire DSF staff. They are great to work with, and their support of CST is overwhelming. Instead of the usual positive achievements reports, I would like to...

“The Year as a House” by Jan Richardson Think of the year / as a house: door flung wide / in welcome, threshold swept / and waiting, a graced spaciousness / opening and offering itself to you. Let it be blessed / in every room. Let it be hallowed / in every corner. Let every nook / be a refuge and every object / set to holy use. Let it be here / that safety will rest. Let it be here / that health will make its home. Let it be here / that peace will show its face. Let it be here / that love...