spiritual insights on religion, social justice and comparative theology
Rich Clark, the founder of the school where I taught theology passed away last week. His tombstone is an extraordinary school on the East side of Cleveland and a community that is one that is composed of the most genuine, mission driven, heartfelt givers I’ve ever met. This is where his coffin lay in state … Continue reading Remnants of Unconditional Love by William Klein
Recently Governors Greg Abbott of Texas, Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Arizona’s Doug Ducey have “relocated illegal immigrants” to places like Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Massachusetts. Abbott sent “busloads” to Vice President Kamala Harris’s house in Washington and DeSantis sent “two plane loads” to Martha’s Vineyard, a popular beachfront resort island for the wealthy … Continue reading An Exercise In Welcoming The Stranger by William Klein
“Where the mind goes, the energy flows.” What a great quote that is. I just completed reading New York Times columnists analysis of where they were wrong in their columns. Ranging from Capitalism to Al Franken’s banishment from the Senate to the treatment of Trump supporters to Mitt Romney to Facebook following, the columns ran … Continue reading Where the Mind Goes, the Energy Flows by William Klein
I am always amazed at how art can imitate life. When you find a simple story with a life clutching action, you are propelled forward to find relevance to it in your life and times. In dark ways as well as enlightened glimpses of “obeyance” to what Ralph Waldo Emerson called “the Almighty effort – … Continue reading Through the Tunnel by William Klein
Every generation responds to the one before it by rebelling. It’s a natural process for youth to grow into an understanding of who it wants to be based on examining the world around it. Growing up in the 80s there was a group that emerged that has long since been forgotten called the “yuppies.” Yuppies … Continue reading Intergenerational Angst by William Klein
It was the event of the year at our school -- Staffulty vs. Students Basketball game. Staffulty is what we call the faculty/staff at our school. I told my friend Ryan if I score two more points, I’ll be the “all-time scoring leader in the history of Faculty/Student games.” The former record holder was Shmeagol … Continue reading Victory in Defeat by William Klein
When I was a kid, I remember going with my friend and his dad to the shooting range. His dad wanted to teach us to respect guns. I was eight or nine years old. Our family didn’t own a gun, and my mother was opposed to the idea, but I kept bothering her to let … Continue reading The Culture of Death by William Klein
There’s a funny app that pulls off an undeniably funny trick. It’s called the “Crying App.” My nephew pulled a fast one on me at dinner. He slyly pulled out his phone and began recording me. “How you doing? You happy?” He asked. I was stoic, almost robotic. “I’m great! Couldn’t be better. Great food, brilliant company, … Continue reading Tears For My Hometown by William Klein
This Sunday we celebrated women who helped to make us who we are. I’ve been around long enough to know that some women have difficult relationships with their mothers, but all people – whether realized or unrealized -- are in constant search to know what that maternal experience means to them. Some people have been … Continue reading Honoring the Maternal by William Klein
It’s that time of year where things are getting testy. Students see the end of the year. Seniors are checking out due to the dastardly symptoms of “senioritis” and faculty continues to swim upstream as we try to plan engaging lessons and look for glimpses of life that genuine learning is happening in the classroom. No … Continue reading Moments of Joy by William Klein
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