Tuesday Table Talk — Uncovering Our Disconnection: An Uncomfortable & Essential Conversation

Emily is an information professional and intercultural educator with a BA from Western Michigan University in French, Middle Eastern Studies, and Global Studies. She has worked to empower and connect diverse members of the community through her work in public libraries, schools and non-profit education programs, interfaith organizations, and learning gardens. A devotee and student of Indian religions and philosophies for the last 16 years, she is passionate about engaging in dialogue that explores the diversity of belief and practice that can be found within spiritual traditions as a way of combating fundamentalism and “the danger of a single story

Rev. Shinkyu Brian Coté is a Soto Zen Priest with over thirty years of meditation experience. In 2019 he met his teacher, Rev. Shuji Mintzmeyer of Just Sit Zendo, located in Manhattan, KS. He joined the Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple in 2023 as a dharma teacher. He currently lives in West Michigan, is a father, and works in the automotive industry.

As a graduate of Hope College and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Kate has been working in ministry for over a decade. She is the Director of Ministries for United Campus Christian Fellowship (UCCF) in Grand Rapids, and the Co-Dean for the Grand Rapids Conference of the ELCA. Interspiritual dialogue and relationships are key in the work of UCCF as it exists to create space for all people.