For five years I have been leading a large, liberal, urban congregation to embrace a clear mission for God's dream of justice. We have built 30 new units of workforce housing, started an early childhood center for mixed income families, and instituted a new governance structure.

But I want to get away to Istanbul, to turn back to the life of the theological mind. I want to take a break from administration and networking and spend time on an issue that I have been wrestling with for years. I want to satisfy my desire to reconcile my deepening love of and fascination with Jesus and my relative lack of understanding and growing discomfort with the early church creeds. I hope to answer such questions as the following: What is the history and purpose of the formation of the creeds? Might I gain a deeper appreciation for the creeds, or be fortified in my non-creedal identity? What does being non-creedal really mean? Is there a resurgence of creedalism, of trinitarianism, in my own "non-creedal" denomination (UCC)? If so, why? How might the Trinity become more meaningful for me?

I will read deeply; visit archaeological sites (such as Nicaea) in the region; correspond regularly with theologians; and write an article for publication.