Topic: The Tyrant Fears the Poet

Presenters: Paul Kittlaus

Here’s how Paul Kittlaus, John Cobb’s neighbor at Pilgrim Place, introduces himself. “The gifts of ministry given to me have included organizing people within the progressive church for social change. The civil rights movement, Selma, women’s liberation, Chicano Moratorium, opposition to the war in Vietnam, aiding young men to turn in their draft cards, the environmental issues, these and other social issues have presented themselves to my generation. 

“In 2014, the year of my 80th birthday, I was drawn into a weeklong workshop on Abstract Acrylic Painting.  Surprising doors in my spirit were opened. And I found myself in another resistance movement.”

My paintings are now in the permanent collection of the Claremont-Lewis Art Museum, Claremont Heritage, the Claremont United Church of Christ.  I have had solo shows in the Prison Library Project, the Claremont Chamber of Commerce, at the HoltxPalm Gallery in Ontario, and in exhibition at the Community Arts Workshop Gallery in Santa Barbara, and the Riverside Art Museum.”

Check out his art at https://paulkittlaus.art, where you’ll find this brief bio:  “Reverend Paul Kittlaus was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC), San Diego, CA and during his career served UCC church pastorates throughout Southern California and Madison, WI. He also held ecumenical positions to advance theological training and social justice, and served as the director of the UCC Washington Office for The Office for Church in Society. He is a published author and contributor to multiple journals and magazines. Retired in 1999 at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, CA, Rev. Kittlaus is an active steward of the community and a board member of Progressive Christians Uniting, Southern California Ecumenical Council, and Pilgrim Pines Camp. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri, a masters of divinity from the University of Chicago/Chicago Theological Seminary in 1959, and masters in political science from George Washington University in 1981.”

See the video in which he is honored by Chicago Theological Seminary as their 2024 distinguished Alumni of the Year.

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