Journal

I taught Biblical Hebrew at San Francisco Theological Seminary for 12 years.  It was not my primary responsibility as a member of the faculty.  I was called to serve as Chaplain and Assistant Professor in… Read More »Teaching Hebrew

At the annual Bay Area march and celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2019, I was honored by the San Francisco Interfaith Council with a Lifetime Commitment to Equality recognition… Read More »Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The Coote family of Bob and Polly and their two daughters, Marian and Margaret, were our next door neighbors in faculty housing at San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS).  The Chinn family arrived fresh from the… Read More »Having a catch

Matthew 2:1-12  (January 1, 2023) (I am grateful to my friend and former colleague at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Robert Coote, whose essay, “The Magi For All Seasons,” (Fall, 1981, issue of Pacific Theological Review),… Read More »Epiphany

Matthew 1:18-25(Sermon preached at Calvary Presbyterian Church, SF, on December 22, 2019) Introduction When I think of Christmas, what is most prominent among all the decorations—candles and lights, wreathes and trees, poinsettia plants and ornaments—it… Read More »Family Trees

My cousin Dianne and I grew up together in Chinatown, San Francisco.  The same age, we went though school together, both public and Chinese schools.  Our families were from the same part of China and… Read More »Nam Long

I have visited my family village in China four times, with each occasion providing me a unique and special memory.  My very first trip to the village in 1981 was special not only because it… Read More »The story behind my Chop*

Uncle Von and Gene was my introduction to luxurious living.  They drove Lincoln Continentals, one of which was a convertible.  Their homes in Palm Springs and Laguna Beach were spacious and beautifully furnished.  Uncle Von… Read More »Grumpy Uncle Von (aka “GUV”)

Matthew 15:21-28 (Sermon preached at Covenant Presbyterian Church, SF, on Sunday, August 17, 2014) Introduction One of my favorite radio programs is KQED Perspectives where Bay Area locals share their insights and opinions on a… Read More »A Woman of Faith

Making the connection between the Bible and the Daily Newspaper, between the Bible and Ministry is not so automatic.  What if there is a problem in how you read the Bible, the lens through which… Read More »Reading the Bible with Different Lenses