Voices

Four cards with the words faith, peace, and hope.

Advent Reflections

By pwsbuilder / December 23, 2019 / Comments Off on Advent Reflections

In Advent, while we await the birth of Jesus, so many things come to life. Lights flicker on trees, wreaths are hung and typical house plants are replaced by festive poinsettias, all seeming to symbolize expectation and arrival, an outward hope. However, the anticipation of a cozy and cheerful holiday is not accurate for many…

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A poster with three candles and the words'joyful remembrance and presentations at advent.

Joyful Expectation and Preparation at Advent

By pwsbuilder / December 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Joyful Expectation and Preparation at Advent

Our devotional provides scriptural excerpts, meditations and prayers for all four Sundays in Advent. We created it with the firm understanding and belief that all people should have access to spiritually affirming texts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Click here to download the devotional in the language…

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A poster for world aids day with the words we welcome you, we see you, we love you, we are victorious.

World Aids Day

By pwsbuilder / December 1, 2019 / Comments Off on World Aids Day

On December 1,1988, World Aids Day became the first ever global health day to be commemorated annually. The AIDS movement evolved into an advocacy mission with a global reach that continues to have significant impact on the history of social justice and activism. A report from NPR states that by the mid 1980’s, President Ronald…

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A lone tree is reflected in a lake at night.

A Visual Meditation: One Mind. One Heart. One in Gratitude.

By pwsbuilder / November 27, 2019 / Comments Off on A Visual Meditation: One Mind. One Heart. One in Gratitude.

The Creator. Holy Spirit. Great Spirit. Elohim. We abound in gratitude for all gifts of the earth. Thank you for all the love that surrounds us. Thank you for giving us what we need. In everything, in all circumstances, we give thanks for it is the will of the creator concerning us. One mind, one heart,…

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Victoria and ben with the words victoria and ben.

Believing Out Loud with Ben and Victoria

By pwsbuilder / September 11, 2019 / Comments Off on Believing Out Loud with Ben and Victoria

Ben and Victoria, two team members of Believe Out Loud, present an animated discussion on practicing faith in the workplace and what believing out loud means to them. Believe Out Loud is a faith-based organization that aims to amplify counter-narratives on the intersections of faith and sexuality through digital media and advocacy. Produced By Believe…

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A sticker with the word lgbt on it sits on top of a magazine.

The LGBT Crisis in Poland

By pwsbuilder / September 9, 2019 / Comments Off on The LGBT Crisis in Poland

By: Christoph Slomski (KKBS, Berlin) and Matthew Schmid June of 2019 saw celebrations across the United States marking how far the country has come on LGBT rights. It’s hard to believe that this year’s World Pride events in New York City—lasting an entire month, bolstered by innumerable corporate sponsorships and centered on a parade that…

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Two figurines in a nativity scene in front of a bokeh background.

Nativity Stories

By pwsbuilder / March 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Nativity Stories

We each have our own “nativity story.” Mine is that it was a difficult birth, a prolonged labor, my mother turned blue, my father told the doctor she needed oxygen, I was born feet first, my legs were crooked and doctors wanted to put braces on them, but my mother resisted, choosing another therapy: massaging…

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Black and Brown Make Green

By pwsbuilder / March 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Black and Brown Make Green

Back in 2010, I was teaching part-time for Operation Understanding, a leadership development program for Black and Jewish high school students in Philadelphia. We did lots of things together. But, the most intense part of that experience was during the summer. We spent the month of July traveling around the country on a bus. We…

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A man with long blonde hair smiling for the camera.

John Paulk Renounces Ex-Gay Therapy; Evangelicals Respond

By pwsbuilder / March 12, 2019 / Comments Off on John Paulk Renounces Ex-Gay Therapy; Evangelicals Respond

This week, former ex-gay spokesperson John Paulk issued a public apology for his involvment in ex-gay ministries, stating that reparative therapy does not change sexual orientation and apologizing for the pain caused by his advocacy. Below is a response from the Evangelical Network regarding Paulk’s change of heart. To admit that you have made a…

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A woman standing in front of a colorful building.

Thinking Out Loud

By pwsbuilder / January 15, 2019 / Comments Off on Thinking Out Loud

Asbury Park, New Jersey where I live, is today covered with snow, followed by rain that is turning into ice. The weather outside has given me the excuse to do what I do with some frequency; “Thinking Out Loud”. An article in today’s New York Times; “Part of Kentucky Marriage Law Overturned” has attracted my…

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