We talk with Clara Jacobson, a volunteer for the Friends of the Ferndale Library, who celebrates her 100th birthday on September 27, 2024.By Whatcom County Library System

We check in with long-time WCLS staff and new branch managers Mariya Farmagey and Erin Suda. Mariya is now the branch manager for North Fork Library and Erin is the new branch manager for Island Library.By Whatcom County Library System

A wedding at the Ferndale library and excited Birch Bay residents talk about their new library!By Whatcom County Library System

We discuss our free Mango Languages app with WCLS Learning Coordinator Maggie Mae Nase who is a world traveler and a lifelong learner.By Whatcom County Library System

Steven Argue preaches about our call to love, and about how such love is formed as we look back to our past, live in our present, and look ahead in the future. Steven Argue is Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 15, 2024.

Soong-Chan Rah preaches about how we are called to extend the love of God to one another—and about what this love might look like in our communities today. Soong-Chan Rah is Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 1, 2024.

Johnny and Clara Ramírez-Johnson preach from Song of Songs, sharing about the image of God and the importance of our bodies. Johnny Ramírez-Johnson is professor of anthropology and profesor del Centro Latino, and Clara M. Jorge Ramírez-Johnson is a retired professor of Spanish and Caribbean literature. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on Ap…

Alexis Abernethy cautions us against getting caught up in cycles of hate and encourages us to move toward faithful and communal love for others. Alexis Abernethy is professor of psychology and Fuller’s chief academic officer. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on April 17, 2024.

Poet and WCLS Communications Specialist Cynthia French joins us to talk about the intersection of libraries and poetry.By Whatcom County Library System

David Emmanuel Goatley preaches a word on the love of God, on our identity as God’s children, and on the faith we can have that God overcomes the world. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on April 3, 2024.

Brenda Bertrand reflects on the disappointments we may experience when our expectations of God are unmet, as she also dwells on the truth that Jesus is with us in our suffering and guides us through the darkness. Brenda Bertrand is a Fuller Seminary Chaplain. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on March 27, 2024.…

Cynthia Eriksson preaches on living into the coming new creation and God’s loving and joyful presence, while encouraging us to listen for God’s truth amidst the lies of the present. Cynthia Eriksson is dean of the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on March 6, 2024.…

We feature an episode from the Young and Indigenous (YAI) Podcast from Children of the Setting Sun Productions. YAI hosts, Cyrus James and Wykeklyaa Curleybear talk with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe about her book Red Paint and about life and everything else. Sasha's powerful memoir, Red Paint, is the 2024 Whatcom READS selection. Hy'shqe to our friend…

David Taylor preaches on the way God sees and loves us, pouring his grace on us, and on the ways we might in turn see one another with love. W. David O. Taylor is associate professor of theology and culture. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on February 28, 2024.

Cedric Williams reflects on the risky work of healing and generativity, which requires us to step into the pain, with the help of others, to piece together what’s been broken. Cedric Williams is assistant professor of marriage and family therapy and program director for the doctor of marriage and family therapy. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Ch…

Reflecting on the book of Hosea, David Wang preaches a message on God’s love and on a healing journey which holds both brokenness and beauty. David C. Wang is Cliff and Joyce Penner Chair for the Formation of Emotionally Healthy Leaders and associate professor of psychology. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on February 14, 2024.…

Christine and Tamar stop by to tell us about the Digital Literacy webpage (https://www.wcls.org/digital-literacy/) they have created in cooperation with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public through a grant from the National Science Foundation.By Whatcom County Library System

David Emmanuel Goatley reflects on how a communal sense of identity is central to our Christian faith and to the ways we approach Jesus. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on February 7, 2024.

Kenneth Wallace Jr. preaches about the relationship between creator and creation and about our role in restoring creation and leading it in worship to God. Kenneth Wallace Jr. is founder and director of Kingdom Reflections Multi-ethnic Worship Ministries. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on January 31, 2024.…

Ping-cheung Lo shares about the painful history between Western missionaries and the Chinese people, and he reflects on the story of healing happening in and through the church in China. Ping-cheung Lo is the Dean and Rebecca Stephan Professor of Chinese Studies and academic dean for the Chinese Studies Center at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller…

Claire McElroy is our Adult Programming Coordinator, wrangling speakers, authors, events and workshops for WCLS and Whatcom READS. Is the job as fun as it sounds? Tune in to find out!By Whatcom County Library System

Reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan, Stanley Talbert preaches a message on justly and creatively caring for our neighbors in this catastrophic world. Stanley Talbert is assistant professor of religion at Pepperdine University. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel, during the Pannell Center’s MLKJ celebration, on January 17, 2024.…

David Emmanuel Goatley preaches about the God who restores and sustains us in a world where unrighteousness weighs us down. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on January 10, 2024.

Andrea Cammarota reflects on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman and on the gospel work of bringing healing to the world together. Andrea Cammarota is a Fuller Seminary chaplain. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on January 3, 2024.

Mary Vermillion chats with Executive Director Christine Perkins about the eventful 12 months that were 2023 and the exciting library events and activities that will take place in 2024. Also, a call to write in and give us some feedback. Send comments to neil.mckay@wcls.orgBy Whatcom County Library System

Our WCLS book selectors sit down and discuss several of the books in our Gift Guide publication, available at WCLS library branches. Two conversations, our adult selectors, Lisa Gresham, Mary Kinser and Emma Radosevich discuss their picks and three of our Youth Services selectors, Thom Barthelmas, Theresa Morrison and Tamar Clark talk about their c…

Elizabeth Hogsten preaches about the power of truth-telling against oppression and the light of God that shines amidst darkness. Elizabeth Hogsten is a Fuller alum and was a 2022 Parish Pulpit Fellow. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on November 29, 2023.

Listen to folks at our Open Book Festival and get a glimpse at the man behind the microphone as we share an excerpt from Puyallup Public Library's podcast, Shush!...with Debi in which Debi turns the tables on me and interviews me at the Deming Library.By Whatcom County Library System

David Emmanuel Goatley reflects on the way God restores and sustains us amidst the weariness and turmoil of life’s “dry” seasons. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on November 15, 2023.

Kevin Doi considers the finitude of our lives and reflects on the church’s need to holistically minister to and invest in the lives of the next generations. Kevin Doi is a Fuller Seminary chaplain. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on November 8, 2023.

Bishop Zac Niringiye preaches a message of hope amidst despair, pointing to the God who is sovereign and enthroned above all. Bishop Zac Niringiye is a theologian, pastor, and civic-political activist. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on November 1, 2023.

Ruth Padilla-DeBorst encourages us to be open to witnessing the Spirit and being transformed by the good news in unexpected ways. Ruth Padilla-DeBorst is Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity at Western Theological Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on October 25, 2023.…

David Emmanuel Goatley preaches on the Lord as our light and salvation, in whose presence we can rest assured amidst the suffering and struggle in our life and in the world. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on October 18, 2023.…

Find out about the Open Book Festival happening on Sunday, November 5, 2023. WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins and Village Books Co-owner Paul Hanson talk about this "book lover's dream day" and all the "bookish experiences" to be had there.By Whatcom County Library System

Wendy Masias preaches about our seasons of uncertainty and waiting, learning to be joyful in every circumstance, and the promise of God’s coming restoration. Wendy Masias is a Fuller alum and administrative assistant at Centro Latino. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on October 11, 2023.

Brad Strawn reflects on a psalm of lament and on how disorientation—in community and with God—is a crucial part of our journeys of faith and of our time in seminary in particular. Recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on October 4, 2023. Brad Strawn is Fuller’s chief of spiritual formation and integration, dean of the chapel, and Evelyn and Fran…

David Emmanuel Goatley encourages us to look to the things of God amidst the pervasive negativity that surrounds us, knowing that God’s peace guards our hearts and minds. Recorded at Fuller’s Festival of Beginnings on September 27, 2023. David Emmanuel Goatley is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair at Fuller Seminary.…

We caught Jerry after his trio performed among the stacks in the Ferndale Library and we discussed jazz and kids and the importance of libraries. And the one record album he recommends we all listen to.By Whatcom County Library System

Sarah Lavender and Hana Boxburger update us on the lively and exciting Summer Reading 2023 activities and we get a surprise announcement about our Whatcom Million Trees Project partnership! TranscriptBy Whatcom County Library System

Find out about our Summer Jazz Series. TranscriptBy Whatcom County Library System

Tina Armstrong preaches on Micah 6 and dwells on the ways we ought to be attentive to God’s voice, reflect on God’s faithfulness, and extend God’s love to others. Tina Armstrong is associate professor of clinical psychology. This was recorded at Fuller’s Baccalaureate Service on May 31, 2023.

Janna Louie preaches a message of hope about the abundant mercy and compassion God offers. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 24, 2023. Janna Louie is chief of staff at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

Sarah Lavender discusses our Summer Reading program and our partnership with Whatcom Million Trees Project and then we take a walkin the woods with Whatcom Million Trees Executive Director Michael Feerer as he and his crew of volunteers remove English Ivy from the trees in Cornwall Park.By Whatcom County Library System

Erin Dufault-Hunter preaches a message that reminds us that, in God’s kingdom, we are not only freed from something but freed into a new kind of life together. Erin Dufault-Hunter is associate professor of Christian ethics. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 17, 2023.

Cameron Lee preaches about the uncertainty of the future and about our role of anticipating Jesus’ return with joy, obedience, and faithfulness. Cameron Lee is professor of marriage and family studies. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 10, 2023.

Sam George reframes the traditional paradigm of “here to there” missions and maps out a polycentric and multidirectional missiology that recognizes everywhere is a mission field. Sam George is the director of the Billy Graham Center Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on May 3, 2023.…

14 WCLS staff members visited the Washington Library Association Conference in Wenatchee this year. Find out why and what they did there. Elizabeth Steward gives us her experience at WLA.By Whatcom County Library System

Pamela Ebstyne King preaches about being a people who are rooted in God’s love and who live out God’s love to the world. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on April 26, 2023.

Jeong Kii Min preaches about a discipleship that is actively and intentionally engaged in the world, with the recognition of Jesus as priority above all. Jeong Kii Min is senior pastor of Chung Hyeon Mission Church in Los Angeles. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on April 19, 2023.

Preaching on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Brenda Bertrand reflects on the burden of unforgiveness and on the boundless mercy of God, which is central to the resurrection life. Brenda Bertrand is a Fuller Seminary chaplain. This was recorded at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel on April 12, 2023.…