Honoring Limitations & Facing Forward
an update on life lately
I’ve been missing-in-action as far engaging on social media and the internet the last few months. To be candid, I wasn’t very present on the internet in the earliest parts of 2025 either. Between my own work load, inching closer toward completing my seminary program, partnering with different organizations, and everything (gestures widely) happening in the United States, my plate has been full. But I am also exactly where I need to be. I’m full with the sort of work that I want to be doing. And that’s a pretty cool feeling.
Between doing the good things I like and navigating the horrible things happening in our world, I could feel burnout’s maw about to bite.
I needed a breather. So, I took one during the summer. Now, I’m glad to show up here, tell you more about what’s been going on, and what is to come.
New Writing
This is an overdue update!
Early in the year, I had a writer and editor I’ve previously worked with reach out and ask if I wanted to write a piece for a Christian publication in Canada—Christian Courier. The editor wrote to me about how folks in Canada are wondering what the heck is going on in the United States and why Christians aren’t fighting the authoritarian takeover happening with the White House. She asked me to write a piece for their Canadian readership, and I did.
“Living maladjusted in the United States” published with Christian Courier in June. In fact, it was the feature piece in their print edition. I received my print copy in the mail in early June. They published the piece online as well, and I’m glad to share it with you!
And also 👀
I’m teaching/educating/facilitating/co-facilitating with a couple of nonprofit organizations this fall semester! 💃
This is my second year facilitating the Contemplative Activism and Spiritual Formation cohort with the PAX Fellowship. In fact, the Contemplative Activism and Spiritual Formation cohort last year had so much engagement that they created two cohorts this year so that there would be more room. I will be hanging with the PAX fellows in Cohort A while the wise Josúe Perea will be hanging with the PAX fellows in Cohort B.
Enrollment is closed for 2025-2026, but if you’re interested in potentially joining any cohort for 2026-2027, you can join the waitlist for first dibs.
I am also co-facilitating a group navigating power dynamics with the Reclamation Collective!
I joined the board of the Reclamation Collective (RC) in January of 2025. The RC is a nonprofit oriented on mental health, and it exists to resource survivors and offer non-clinical interventions that facilitate healing. We also exist to bring more awareness to the reality of religious trauma and spiritual abuse, not only in Christian spaces but in all spaces where spirituality plays a role.
If you are a faith leader, therapist, spiritual director, or a person who holds sacred, healing space for others in any way, I encourage you to consider joining the Spiritual Power Inventory Processing Group.
Topics we will discuss include “trust as power”, boundaries, communicating roles, consent and more. You can find more information and enroll on the Reclamation Collective website.
RC has held this group before, but this is the first time it will be co-facilitated by 1) a licensed mental health professional (Kayla Felten) and 2) a spiritual director/person of faith (myself). Sometimes it is hard to integrate mental health language and theological language. Kayla and I are hoping to facilitate that sort of integration in the Spiritual Power Inventory group.
Enrollment ends Sept 12.
(For those who envisioning participating in one or both of the above, scholarships are available.)
New Things to Come
I’m also going to be featuring some writing from peers on Substack. I have a piece by writer and author
coming up next. She’ll write on othering and otherness from the Jewish Christian perspective and how easily Christian theology can become antisemitic. I reached out to Michelle because I trust her but also because I was woefully uneducated on how entrenched antisemitism has been in Christianity. I’ve learned from Michelle and will continue to do so, but I also extended an invitation for her to write so that you could learn from her as well.Stay tuned for that in the coming weeks. And keep an eye out for Michelle’s newest book publishing August 19th, Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism’s Nonessentials.
Until then, I hope you and yours have had a restful summer.
May the bite of burnout be ever far from you, but may the embrace of peace envelop you.
I’m with you and for you.
Tap that heart icon 🖤 for me. Even better, leave a comment. Tell me about what you appreciate about the OTHERED Substack and what you hope to read in the future. Give me an idea I can research and hyperfixate on!
Your engagement sends a signal to the Substack powers that be, letting them know my posts may be helpful to others.
Grateful for all your deep work, my friend.💛
I love this update, thank you for sharing! I hope that the coming months bring even more energy and connections for you.