Michael Karlberg, associate professor of communications at Western Washington University, is the author of Beyond the Culture of Contest, which includes an examination of the Bahá’í system of governance.

The Rev. Patrick Howell is vice president for mission and ministry at the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University. He co-edited the book Empowering Authority: The Charisms of Episcopacy and Primacy in the Church Today. He has frequently written about Pope Benedict XVI for the Seattle Times.

Gail M. Nomura, associate professor of American ethnic studies at the University of Washington, co-edited Pacific Islander American Women: A Historical Anthology and Nikkei in the Pacific Northwest: Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians in the Twentieth Century.

Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation in Seattle that has been helping families avoid homelessness since 2004. The congregation’s Homeless 2 Remain helps families secure or maintain safe housing. In collaboration with Jewish Family Services, the congregation provides eviction prevention assistance aimed at keeping families in their homes. Contact is Sue Covey. The congregation […]

The Mental Health Chaplaincy is a Seattle program based at Prospect Congregational United Church of Christ that has trained chaplains walking the city streets looking for vulnerable, mentally ill people who may need assistance. Contact Kae Eaton.

The West Coast Poverty Center is based at the University of Washington. Jennifer Romich is director as well as professor of social work and public affairs.

Russell Powell is associate professor of law at Seattle University. His expertise includes comparative religious jurisprudence, with particular interests in Catholic social thought and Islamic legal theory.

Fred Plumer, a retired minister, is head of The Center for Progressive Christianity, a web-based network of progressive faith communities. It is based in Gig Harbor, Wash.

Suzanne Crawford O’Brien is an assistant professor of religion and culture at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. She is an expert on the religious and spiritual attitudes and practices of Native Americans and animals.