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April 2026

The Seeing Stone on Your Desk

Originally published on aiandfaith.org on Apr 23, 2026 In 1954, J.R.R. Tolkien introduced through his legendarium the mysterious palantiri, ancient “seeing-stones” that reveal glimpses of what is real across space and time. They do not fabricate images, and yet their use often contributes to the destruction of its viewer. The White Wizard, Saruman, looks into the stone with ambition and becomes enslaved by domineering power. Denethor, the steward of Gondor, looks in with… Read More »The Seeing Stone on Your Desk

Crafting Poems of Beauty and Power | A Recap of the Retreat

A joy-filled weekend and an invitation into beauty, creativity, and connection Gathered at a lakeside lodge in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by pine trees, mountain vistas, and open sky, a group of about twenty people stepped into a slower rhythm together. The setting itself offered a kind of quiet welcome, drawing us into attentiveness and wonder. The retreat was led by Shann Ray Ferch, an award-winning poet, teacher, and scholar… Read More »Crafting Poems of Beauty and Power | A Recap of the Retreat