RECAP of 2023
WOW, last year was quite a busy year. Once again, 2023 started with some grief as two uncles and two extended family members made their transitions. I spent the first few months adjusting to retirement from my corporate position and a new schedule, planned a retirement party, enrolled in my last two required electives for the doctoral program, and kicked off my research.
I also traveled a bit: to Miami for a dear friend’s memorial and to the Midwest to see relatives. I spent about eight months working on a presentation for the Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago in August. Pictured below are the Spiritual Leaders for Peace and Justice with whom I had the pleasure of co-presenting a two-part workshop “Is Racism Fake News” that featured such topics as environmental racism, the impact of globalization, the rise of White Christian Nationalism, micro-aggressions, and an experiential face-to-face restorative practice. Click here to view the highlights from the PoWR convention. The 2023 theme was: A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights.
Oh yes! And I did some singing in 2023, of course (online and in person). I am STILLL singing!
More Joy in 2024
I plan to maintain this website until I can reconstruct a new one with new material from my dissertation. Stay tuned…it’s coming! In the meantime, I will be heads down, hard at work this year – – praying and affirming that my doctoral dissertation will speak from the depths of my heart the insights and divine ideas that have been shaping and forming over these past three years around Joy and Justice. Sometimes, it ain’t easy, but I am keeping the faith! I feel strengthened by God, knowing the Divine Presence has already gone before me to make the crooked places straight. I KNOW WHERE MY HELP COMES FROM!
Black History Reflections
I hope to step it up this year and write more than the “annual” blog though (LOL!) For Black History Month, here is a little slide show that I have worked on all month while reflecting on the joy of my mother’s album collection. She passed away in 1999. Gospel music was certainly a big JOY BOOSTER for her! So, this is some of my own personal history and memories of growing up in a house filled with the Gospel music that lifted us and encouraged us along the way, particularly through the Civil Rights movement. Thank you, Mama, the music plays on…and this JOY is STILL my strength!
Until next time, stay blessed! I pray that you will be filled with joy, peace, and love always! Bye for now. Yours in light and love, Rev. Dinah
