Meet the Here & Now Writers.
Debora Ragland Buerk
Writer. Editor.
Debora has been a writer and editor for more than forty years. When not editing this blog, she writes her own. Trained in broadcast journalism, she favors essay writing. She has also edited and designed twelve books published on Amazon. Website: DeboraBuerkTheWriteStuff.com
Karen Nelson
Writer. Editor.
Karen reflects on her lay ministry work for the past 45 years, finding God’s presence in unexpected places, often on the margins. Her current work as a spiritual director gives her a window into the sacredness of the ordinary.
Larry Buerk
Editor.
Larry’s supoer power is he speaks HTML. When he’s not editing the blog or a book you’ll find him producing video storytelling. But, wait, look up–that might be Larry flying over you in the plane he built.
Sandy Shipman
Writer.
Nature, our first Teacher, has so much wisdom I can’t help but write down the bits I come to understand. Someday, perhaps, I’ll gaze less and write more.
Ed Buffalow
Writer.
A retired architect, tired of a ‘left brain’ saturated culture, who is pursuing ‘right brain’ activities as portals into the spiritual terrain of mystery, wonder, and transformation. This includes photography, writing, watercolor painting, woodworking, and garden design.
Julie A. Lary
Editor.
I’ve never considered myself a writer. Rather, I put words in their place, juggling and swizzling them around until like a puzzle they fit neatly together, whether writing for a technology company, personal essay or humorous story.
Christopher Ball
Writer.
fragmented rhymes: mythopoetic alchemy, peculiar bliss & grotesque beauty—absurdity, madness, memory, sacramentality, being & longing
Wendy Bryant
Artist.
Creative play has always been a part of my life. When my heart is connected with God’s, a divine, dynamic and authentic expression emerges.
Zoe Pearson
Writer.
Add back Zoe’s text
Cindy Waple
Creative.
Creative expression in various forms is where I find joy. Whether it is words, color, mosaic, quilting or crochet, creative arts bring a richness and depth to my experience of the heart and love of the Holy One and all of creation.
Lorina Meade
Writer.
Lorina is an educator, spiritual director, and facilitator drawn to seeking encounters with the Divine and accompanying others in doing the same.
Sherry Marsden
Writer. Artist.
I am happy to say I come from a family of very creative folks. I hope to promote jocularity with my art and writings.
Tom Cashman
Writer.
From my Celtic Spirituality work background, A Celtic Christmas, It Might Have Happened This Way… was born during Advent. Initial travel to Killarney, Ireland, fin 1992 planted a seed that has steadily grown through seven trips to the Celtic “Holy Land,” four pilgrimages,, and a life of teaching, speaking, and writing. Over that span, I have led numerous workshops, retreats, and seminars on the Celtic Christian Way.
Lynne Benson
Writer. Artist.
As a lover of contemplation and the power of the pregnant pause, I delight in words, turning a phrase, images of beauty, sounds of silence and joy, creative artistry, and the sweet shalom of the Divine in rhythms of grace.
Mary Pandiani, D.LEAD
Writer.
Mary journeys in the solvitur ambulando way by greeting life with all its complexities and joys through the lens of love and hope. As a 4 on the enneagram, she likes strange and different words that require a bit of research to know what they mean.
John Kiemele
Writer.
With a focus on contemplative soul care, John walks alongside individuals and groups assisting them with life-giving connections and wellbeing practices. Recognizing how intentional pausing and deep listening unlocks life, John strives to engage the whole person – body, mind, soul – in the lifelong process of living well. He is Director Emeritus of a dispersed community of contemplative companions in the greater Seattle area called Selah Center.
Debbie Waite
Writer. Artist.
After a career in higher education, I have retired to the Pacific Northwest. I am exploring a new direction in poetry, blogging about contemplative practices, and writing essays on life transitions.
Kathleen Heppell
Writer.
Life-long learner. Discovering creative side especially through poetry. A way to listen to my heart and the heart of God. Grateful for invitation, curiosity, surprise, unfolding, pausing, noticing, prayer, discernment, practice… and the opportunity to serve others.
Beth Griffith
Writer. Photographer.
Beth Griffith is a therapist, spiritual director, amateur photographer, avid hiker, and lover of Nature. She has been part of Selah since returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2015. Beth first began exploring the contemplative life in college, and in it has personally encountered the One who loves us deeply and invites us into God’s divine embrace. Beth experiences God most intimately through nature, quiet, solitude, and rich conversation with others.
Andrew Larsen
Writer. Photographer. Peacemaker.
Seattle’s Andrew Larsen is a peacemaker with a high-powered lens. Larsen is called to build bridges between Muslims and Christians using his breathtaking photography. He calls it “Visual Peacemaking.” The ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church has traveled throughout the Middle East, armed only with a Canon 5D Mark 3 camera as he captures images and builds lasting friendships.
