Following health guidelines mandating the extension of the "shelter in place" order in Alameda County, the GTU campus will continue to conduct most operations remote through May 31st. Learn more and access the latest, most up-to-date COVID-19 resources, policies, and news for faculty, students, and staff of the GTU here>>
Welcome to GTU Voices, where students, faculty, alumni, staff, and supporters of the Graduate Theological Union share reflections on the academic and cultural life within our diverse GTU community. If you’d like to join the conversation, contact communications@gtu.edu.
May 22, 2020
Written by: Uriah Kim
Spiritual Reintegration in the Wake of COVID-19
In this final reflection on our series, Dr. Uriah Kim renews the call of the GTU community to "encourage and sustain a healthy and caring society — one that engages across differences."
May 15, 2020
Written by: Wendy Arce
Persevera y Vencerás: An Abuelita’s Words Revisited during a Global Pandemic
Dr. Wendy Arce shares the wisdom of her abuelita her grandmother: "Persevera y vencerás" - Persevere, and you will overcome.
May 05, 2020
Written by: Elizabeth Peña
Troubled Times: Turning to the Arts
In her reflection, Dr. Peña reminds us that art can comfort us, art can help us understand and express our own emotions, and art can give us hope.
April 28, 2020
Written by: Braden Molhoek
The Conflict and Ethics of We're in this Together
Dr. Braden Molhoek shares his perspective on the complexities of our ethical responses in our times.
April 24, 2020
Written by: Munir Jiwa
Our Interconnectedness
Dr. Munir Jiwa speaks about our times as "a rare global life-affirming moment to think more about our shared humanity, the environment that begs us to change our destructive ways, and to address and heal the inequalities, inequities, and injustices that stare us in the face."
April 17, 2020
Written by: Rita Sherma and Devin Zuber
A Meeting of the Waters
For Dr. Rita Sherma and Dr. Devin Zuber, "This current great disruption has pushed us, like many others, to return to our roots, and to reengage, reread the texts we love that have so formatively shaped us."
April 09, 2020
Written by: Kathryn Barush
A Pilgrimage-in-Place
Dr. Kathryn Barush reflects, “For those of us who are restless wanderers, travelers, and pilgrims, the call to practice self-isolation to limit the spread of COVID-19 has been a challenging adjustment. But the ancient practice of tracing a labyrinth can help us find a place of solace and rest.”
April 03, 2020
Written by: Deena Aranoff
Call the Passover a Delight
As the Passover holiday approaches, Dr. Deena Aranoff asks, ”How can we create sacred time in an age of pandemic?"
April 01, 2020
Written by: Diandra Erickson
Online Learning at the GTU
A conversation with the GTU's Director of Digital Learning, Diandra Erickson, who reflects on online learning opportunities at the GTU, including our new Interreligious Studies Certificate--the first fully online program at the GTU.
March 27, 2020
Written by: Kamal Abu-Shamsieh
Spiritual Care, Resilience, and Community
In his reflection, Dr. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh defines resilience as "the ability to sustain our purpose and our sense of self and direction." In the struggle of physical distancing, "we can find strength in remembering that we are connected and interdependent."