Dr. Laura Gifford is a candidate for Word and Service ministry in the ELCA and a scholar of American political history. Currently a student at Portland Seminary, she holds a Ph.D. in American history from the University of California, Los Angeles, and she taught history courses for several years at George Fox University and other northwest Oregon colleges. Her academic publications include books and articles on post-World War II American politics with a focus upon the history of party politics and growing political polarization. She has also published articles in Lutheran denominational magazines for both children and adults. Her call to pursue ministry rests in the conviction that moving beyond a zero-sum politics of scarcity toward a worldview of abundance requires engaging mind, body, and spirit. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, daughter, and large orange cat. A member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Gifford enjoys jogging, hiking, reading, British TV, and volunteering at the Oregon Historical Society.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org
