Teaching Faculty

Cole Parke-West

Cole Parke-West (they/them) studied theology at Texas Lutheran University, earned their Master’s in Conflict Transformation at Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, and has been working at the intersections of faith, gender, and sexuality as an activist, organizer, and scholar for more than 20 years. Cole dedicated themselves to accompanying Jewish organizing efforts for racial and economic justice for many years, and previously worked as a research analyst (aka “Queer Spy”) at Political Research Associates, a social justice think tank dedicated to understanding and interrupting right-wing extremism. They now serve as one of the national organizers of Christians for a Free Palestine. Cole also serves on the Board of Soulforce, an LGBTQ justice organization working to “sabotage” Christian supremacy for the sake of collective liberation, and has organized and collaborated with many groups, including Showing Up for Racial Justice, Southerners On New Ground, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Catalyst Project. Though raised as a military brat, Cole finally stopped moving in 2018, and is grateful to call Durham, North Carolina home.

CO-PRESENTERS
SESSION DESCRIPTION

Whether we’re conscious of them or not, rituals are woven throughout our day-to-day lives, guiding our attention, telling the stories of our lives, and often revealing our values. How do we bring intention and imagination to these practices so that they can be tools of strength and transformation? And how do we connect our individual practices to the collective, so that our communities can become powerful expressions of love, justice, and grace? Join Haven and Cole for an expansive and engaging exploration of embodied practice, ritual design, and community transformation.

SESSION DATES
  • August 25 - August 28
    TOPICS
    • Gender and Sexuality
    • Personal Growth
    • Spirituality
    • Theology and Bible Study

      Education

      Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
      Check out a list of the 2024 Summer Faculty.