Author: Wess

  • Change and Trust

    Dr. Mandy Cohen, the former N.C. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was the honorary degree recipient this year at Guilford College’s graduation. This is one piece of her remarks that has stuck with me. “Trust is the foundation of all relationships, both personal and professional. I truly believe change happens at the pace of […]

  • Quakers, Colonization, and Decolonization Conference in Philly June 12-15

    Hi all, I wanted to share this upcoming conference with all of you from Friends Association for Higher Education. I hope to attend myself and would love to see you there. Here is the press release: 44th Annual Meeting of the Friends Association for Higher EducationQuakers, Colonization, and DecolonizationJune 12-15, 2023Hosted by Haverford College, Haverford PAGet […]

  • Friendship as a Spiritual Practice

    This is a sermon on Friendship I shared with First Friends meeting on 2023-04-23. This text is based on the story known as the “Walk to Emmaus” in Luke 24:13-35. Why Did We Choose Loneliness? In a recent episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled “The ‘Quiet Catastrophe’ Brewing in Our Social Lives.” Klein and […]

  • Write What You See: Standing In The Great Traditions of Resistance (Revelation 1)

    I want to share the sermon I preached on April 15, 2023, for the American Friends Service Committee’s annual gathering in Philadelphia. Each year AFSC gathers for business, workshops, and community building. During this time, they have a programmed worship service as a part of their time together. This was the second time I was […]

  • A Hat Trick For Supporting Curiosity and Growth

    I have a little trick, it’s kind of silly, but it helps me when I’m in trouble. I do it whenever my attitude isn’t great or I feel resistant about something I have to do. I call it the “hat trick.” While I consider myself to be an open person, excited to learn new things, […]