We all benefit from support systems that help us navigate life’s challenges and difficulties. At times, that support may come from a family member, mentor or teacher who guides us and helps us grow. In other seasons, it might take the form of a loan, a public benefit or advice on how to handle a […]
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Missing indigenous women: An invitation to care
You might have anticipated that this month I’d be writing a eulogy for Pope Francis, who died April 20. True, I am sad at his passing – sometimes when my heart remembers he is gone I feel the void. But more than sad, I am grateful for the gift of his life and the witness […]
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Faith, art and advocacy
Members and friends of Westminster Presbyterian Church will gather on Founders’ Sunday, May 18, to celebrate 190 years of faith, art and advocacy. Our story begins with faith and a commitment to advocacy. The 30 founding members who signed the church charter on May 26, 1835, had strong abolitionist convictions and positive initiatives advocating justice […]
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Community comes together for United Way’s Spring Day of Action
Last week, more than 200 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and made a big difference across Springfield and nearby communities during the Spring Day of Action hosted by United Way of Central Illinois. The day started with a special volunteer appreciation lunch at the Salvation Army. Volunteers gathered to enjoy delicious food from Café Moxo, […]
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Trump immigration actions are only latest in white supremacy tradition
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled recently that Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be released and returned to his family. He was wrongfully deported to the high-security prison in El Salvador based on what the Trump administration calls an “administrative error.” However, during a recent visit to the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, […]
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The Big Bad Wolf in real life
Fables may challenge the truth, but the truth will ultimately reveal all forms of false fable perceptions. Enter the Big Bad Wolf. The main character of certain fables – Little Red Riding Hood and the The Three Little Pigs. He is the epitome of self-affirmed Importance. No matter his outer appearance, his nature is a […]
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Healing the World, Part III
In Part I of Healing the World, I wrote of the need for self-care and using the spiritual practices of prayer and meditation to stay grounded in turbulent times, and in Part II, the theme was collaborating with others and the efforts the Baha’is are making to reach out to the wider community. In this […]
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Making the impossible possible
My name is Roy Walton. I would like to start by thanking Illinois Times for providing this opportunity for organizations such as Faith Coalition for the Common Good to highlight its work in the community and for allowing me to share my story. With the right motivation, an open mind and a little faith, you […]
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Telling the story of the deliverance from Egypt
This coming Saturday evening, Jews around the world will gather in their homes or at synagogues and other communal venues along with family members, guests and fellow congregants to celebrate the seder, the ceremony that inaugurates the weeklong Passover holiday commemorating the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt and their liberation from bondage. The seder is at […]
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Celebrating student excellence at the UIS STARS Symposium
The 2025 Student Technology, Arts and Research Symposium (STARS) at the University of Illinois Springfield will take place April 10 and 11. This annual event will showcase the exceptional talents and scholarly achievements of our undergraduate and graduate students. It provides a dynamic platform for students from all academic disciplines to present their research and […]
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O sing, you thing with feathers!
“She must have hated that,” my companion said, horrified. He seemed to know a lot about Emily Dickinson, though not the particular poem which he apparently heard for the first time from my lips. His response astonished me. She must have hated that? What’s to hate about hope, I questioned as I walked away. Though […]
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Summer camps offer adventure, discovery and growth
The things I remember most about childhood summers, besides the feeling that summer stretched on forever, were the new experiences and adventures I had. Summer, for me, was two and a half months of long, sun-drenched days that were filled with unstructured play, outdoor exploration and making new friends at camp. The lack of school […]
