My mother read my last blog and had a bone to pick with me. “What do you mean you traded Jesus for Justice? That doesn’t sound like you.” I had to reassure her that wasn’t the whole story. Just a chapter. Well, many chapters until I brought Jesus together with Justice through my Quaker Friends in West Branch, Iowa. More of that restoration story in another blog. I was introduced to racial and economic injustice when I took a year off from college and served as a missionary with the Southern...

My puppets did it again. They pulled me out of my shell. Out of hiding. This music director, Derek, from a local church asked me if I would put on a puppet show around Easter. This church is very progressive, queer-friendly, and justice-minded. Loving and welcoming with good preaching and music. They invest a lot in their arts and have a beautiful sanctuary made of stone and stained glass with the most delicious acoustics. They were willing to take a chance on a puppetmaster from outside the...

This letter was originally published on the Iowa Arts Council blog for Art Week Des Moines. Dear Iowa's Creative Force, We have kicked...