Bonnie Tinker has been an equality activist most of her life, with a special calling to work for the rights of gay and lesbian families. She has spearheaded many initiatives including Love Makes A Family, an organization which supports non-traditional parents and children and seeks to protect their rights, gay or straight. The daughter of a Methodist preacher turned Quaker, Bonnie has Spirit at the heart of her work.
Bonnie jumped into the middle of the debate over Oregon's proposed anti-homosexuality constitutional amendment in 1992, but decided that it was crucial to win over those from "the other side". She eventually got her own talk radio show and learned to make friends of former adversaries using a form of non-violent dialogue.
Chante Wolf spent 12 years in the military, leaving on her birthday in 1992, meaning that she was part of the first Gulf War. Back then she was called Sharon Haller, thought of herself as a Republican, and nearly killed someone who messed with her gun. She speaks elequently of the changes she's been through, starting out Baptist/Methodist, a self-described "Bible thumper", a partier and, currently an activist with Veterans for Peace and attender of Quaker meetings in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Music featured on this program includes:
War - Edwin Starr
Mercy Now - Mary Gauthier
How Come - Ray LaMontagne
WW2 was a "popular war" and it so it took greater conviction to be a conscientious objector to that war. We have the privilege of talking to 2 of the surviving CO's of that war, George Watson, 91 years old, and Jack Phillips, now 86. Their experience in confronting the draft and in serving in the Civilian Public Service had a profound effect on the remainding 60+ years of their lives.
Julie Schmitt loves music and instruments from all over the map. From Sanscrit chanting from India to rhythm and blues, from parodies of love songs to Native American flute and drums, Julie finds riches to inspire her spiritual growth. Julie was raised Catholic and currently attends the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire.
Patti See is an ordinary person who took an extraordinary "leap of faith" by becoming a Good Samaritan kidney donor last year. Growing up Catholic, but attending church infrequently at present, she has nonetheless nurtured a deep spiritual life.
Patti, as a writer and an inwardly-reflective person, has looked for better and better ways to share her rich life with the world - serving meals at the Community Table, acting as advisor for the UW-Eau Claire Feminists group, and now, through the University of Minnesota Fairview Medical Center, she gave a most intimate gift, one of her kidneys, to a complete stranger.
For those interested in helping out folks needing transplants, check the National Kidney Foundation or MatchingDonors.
David Huber has been serving as the pasteur at the Plymouth Congregational UCC in Eau Claire since August of 2004. His taste in music is wide and innovative, and serves to open and balance the purely intellectual part of his character, and it's a pleasure to welcome him to Song of the Soul.