Signaling is a sign of weakness.

For me (Debbie), as this is my 23rd day on the road (the first two weeks of June were spent in Colombia), my energy levels are pretty dang low. But I'm going to do my best to recap yesterday and today for all you loyal followers.

Yesterday afternoon, Katie and I made the short drive from Santa Rosa in Napa Valley to the wonderful home of our new friend Pepe and his housemates in Berkeley. Though neither Katie or I had ever met Pepe (a contact through Katie's connection to Appalachia Service Project, and yet another ginger...), we were welcomed into his community with an AMAZING meal and enlightening conversation.

More and more, we are beginning to see the central role of hospitality to both communion and community. The act of breaking bread with another (whether sacramental or sacrilegious) is an act of truely welcoming the other. But hospitality, however, is the condition that makes this communion (material or relational) a possibility. In other words, hospitality is the nature of the table.

Truthfully, despite our quite expensive graduate training, this was not the lesson we anticipated, nor is it something we really understand yet. We'll let you know more as we think this through...

In other news, today we conducted interviews with the Rev. Mark E. Stanger, Canon Precentor at Grace Cathedral, and another with Dr. Philip Boo Riley, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. Our blossoming understanding of the relationship between corporate religious identity, faith, liturgy, nationalism, and the mystery of the divine, was really challenged through these interviews. Rev. Stanger at Grace Cathedral brought a new perspective for us with his beautiful portrayal of the liturgical life of this historic San Francisco church. (Seriously, the physical space that this congregation inhabits is stunning, and Rev. Stanger and the leadership at Grace Cathedral take risks in making this a place of meaningful and faithful worship. Go visit!!)

After our trip to Grace Cathedral, our conversation with Dr. Riley opened up new insights into the spiritual life of the Silicon Valley. Dr. Riley and his students have been working hard to forge new and meaningful relationships with members of other faiths in this area, and his insights opened up the many issues central to their work. Immigration, food insecurity, human traffiking, and worker rights are only a few of the issues that arise in the multi-faith conversations happening in and around the South Bay area. Dr. Riley's contributions have given Katie and I quite a lot to think about as we consider Christian communion and community in a global reality marked by pluralism.

(Note from Katie Cole: Dear Dr. Bryan Stone, We found you a new best friend at Santa Clara. Introductions will follow. Hope Boston is swell!)

Honestly, every interview we've had so far has been overflowing with theological content. Everyone has been open to our quirks and questions, and has responded with incredible vunerability. We're happy that things are going so well. Overall, today was an incredibly productive day. Great interviews. Great weather. And, from the smells in the kitchen, a forthcoming great dinner.

Finally, our lesson of the day? Well, it's really just an affirmation of some wise advice from Mr. Don Edwards regarding driving in southern California.... "signaling is a sign of weakness."

Lots of Love!!! (KC and DB)