Friday, December 17, 2010

Colleagues List, December 18th, 2010

Vol VI. No. 16

*****

Colleagues List Blog:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com/

************

CHRISTMAS EDITION

************

In this Issue -

Holst Family Christmas Letter
___

Colleague Contributions:

Ron Rolheiser - Christmas Column
Bob Bettson - St. John's Calgary
Tim Calloway - Iraqi Christians
Ian MacDonald - Globe Faith Panel
___

Net Notes:

Reflection on Huron Carol
Lights from Around the World
Anglican/Lutheran Christmas Greetings
US Preacher May be Banned from the UK
Top Ten Creationist Arguments (Humour)
Jesus' Great-Grandmother is Identified
Anti-Christian Bias is 'On Rise in Europe'
Murdered French King's Remains are Explained
Communist Vietnam Catches the Christmas Spirit
Lutheran Leader Seeks Communion Accord with Pope
Dalai Lama Still Heads Tibetan Government in Exile
Breakaway BC Churches Take Case to the Supreme Court
___

Global Faith Potpourri

7 stories from Ecumenical News International
___

Quotes of the Week:

John Chrysostom
Evelyn Underhill
Emmanuel Katongole
___

On This Day (Dec. 12th - Dec. 17th)

Dec. 12, 1963 - Kenya gains independence from Britain
Dec. 14, 1981 - Israel annexes the Golan Heights
Dec. 17, 1903 - Wright Bros. make first successful human flight
___

Closing Thought - George Bernard Shaw

(end)

******************

Dear Friends:

Christmas comes quickly now.

As part of your Christmas preparations, I hope
you might find time to read and watch some of
the beautiful seasonal material I have found
for you during the past week.

Traditionally, I have shared the Holst Family
Christmas Letter in the last issue of Colleagues
List before the special day, and this year is
no exception.

___

Colleague Contributions:

Ron Rolheiser - provides his Christmas column
for all of us, and we are grateful for it.
(Rolheiser web site)

Bob Bettson - Anglican priest, serving in Sarnia
Ontario, was religion editor of the Calgary Herald
for some years before becoming ordained. St. John's
Calgary was very familiar to him and, in a letter,
he bemoans the lack of insight he sees in the general
media reports of the story (published here last week)
of the Calgary Anglican church that voted to become
a Catholic parish (personal correspondence)

Tim Calloway - Iraqi Christians are going through
an extremely difficult period of persecution. Tim
shares several links from the New York Times on
this story, which should concern all of us.

Ian MacDonald - This week, the Globe and Mail ran
a five part series (links provided below) on the
current state of faith in Canada. The newspaper has
established a Future of Faith in Canada online panel
and has named several colleagues to that consulting
group. Ian, a member of St. David's United Church
Calgary, suggests that that panel representation
has limitations (Globe and Mail)

___

Net Notes:

"Reflection on Huron Carol" - Fr. Jean de Brebeuf, SJ
is known to many in this country as one of the great
"Canadian Martyrs." During his ten years at Huronia
(near Midland, ON) in the 1630s and before his cruel
assassination at the hands of the Iroquois, Brebeuf had
composed a Christmas hymn and written insightfully in
the "Jesuit Relations" about his native hosts. We
share seasonal thoughts on the giftedness of this man.
(America Magazine)  

"Lights from Around the World" - enjoy a slide-show of
nineteen spectacular Christmas coloured-light locations
from around the world (The Telegraph, UK)

"Anglican/Lutheran Christmas Greetings" - the Anglican
primate and the national Lutheran bishop join together
to offer their thoughts at Christmas (ACC/ELCIC News)

"US Preacher May be Banned from the UK" - the Florida
pastor who gained fame and infamy with his threats to
burn the Koran as a book of Satan is having problems
in his attempts to visit Britain (The Guardian, UK)

"Top Ten Creationist Arguments (Humour)" - here are
interesting thoughts on the arguments some Christians
use to defend creationism (The Guardian, UK)

"Jesus' Great-Grandmother is Identified" - archeological
authorities have announced insights on the woman reputed
to be an ancestor of Jesus (Discovery Notes)

"Anti-Christian Bias is 'On Rise in Europe'" - the
secularist trends in Europe seem to be increasing.
This report speaks of rights violations, not mere
atheistic intolerance, of Christianity (The Tablet, UK)

"Murdered French King's Remains are Described" -
another discovery from the past came to light this
week, surrounding the assassination of King Henry IV
of France, considered by many a good and pious monarch
(Discovery News/Cathnews Asia)

"Communist Vietnam Catches the Christmas Spirit" -
adding to the growing global acceptance of Christmas
as a unique, universal celebration we focus on
what is happening in Vietnam today (Mercury News)

"Lutheran Leader Seeks Communion Accord with Pope" -
Lutheral World Federation president, and Palestinian
bishop Munib Younan has proposed to Benedict XVI that
a common statement on Holy Communion would be a worthy
way to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the
Protestant Reformation in 2017 (Anglican Journal)

"Dalai Lama Still Heads Tibetan Government in Exile" -
the Tibetan government in exile has reiterated that
the Dalai Lama will remain the Tibetan's religious
and temporal head as a global symbol of a non-violent
approach to handling political conflict (Cathnews Asia)

"Breakaway BC Congregations Take Case to Supreme Court" -
After a recent set-back, when the BC Supreme Court ruled
that the Diocese of New Westminster was the rightful
owner of their church properties, plans are underway to
appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada (Anglican Journal)

___


Global Faith Potpourri

7 stories from Ecumenical News International are provided
to readers this week.

___

Quotes of the Week:

John Chrysostom, Evelyn Underhill and Emmanuel Katongole
offer memorable insights.

___


On This Day (Dec. 12th - Dec. 17th)

On-the-scene reports from the archives of the
New York Times are provided for these stories:

Kenya gains independence from Britain (1963)
Israel annexes the Golan Heights (1981)
Wright Brothers claim first successful flight (1903)

___

Closing Thought - George Bernard Shaw offers
an insight that will resonate with many of us.

---

May your Christmas celebrations be memorable!

Wayne


*************************

SPECIAL ST. DAVID'S LINKS

Contact us at: asdm@sduc.ca (or) admin@sduc.ca
St. David's Web Address - http://sduc.ca/

Listen to audio recordings of Sunday services -
http://sduc.ca/services.htm

___


ST DAVID'S ACTS WEB PAGE

Created and maintained by Colleague Jock McTavish
http://stdavidscalgary.net/

__

INTRODUCING OUR ST.DAVID'S WINTER STUDY FOR 2011

Books Considered:

"An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor (and)

"I Shall Not Hate - A Gaza Doctor's Journey"
 by Izzeldin Abuelaish

Books on sale since Sunday, December 12th, 2010
More study and website particulars will be posted
as they become available

*****

INTRODUCING MY UNIVERSITY WINTER COURSE FOR 2011

GOD, ATHEISM, AND MORALITY

We continue our investigation of the New Atheists and
consider the question: "Can we be good without God?"

Text for the course will be Sam Harris' new book:

"The Moral Landscape:
 How Science Can Determine Human Values"
 (Free Press, October, 2010)

Course description and registration information:

http://tinyurl.com/2fc7xr4

*****

REMINDER:

ST. DAVID'S 50th ANNIVERSARY
TOUR OF CELTIC LANDS - 2011

We plan a 15-day tour of special Celtic sites
in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England -
April 26th - May 10th, 2011.

A highlight of the tour will be a visit to
St. David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. Choir
members from our group will sing at various
informal cathedral events through the day
and at Evensong, on Saturday, May 7th!

We have 26 choristers signed up as part of the
tour group. This special choir begins rehearsals
in early January - led by our congregation's
music director, Brent Tucker.

Details are presently being finalized with
the St. David's cathedral dean, Fr. Jonathan Lean.

We are also planning to sing while visiting Iona,
Scotland and the Church of Mary Immaculate in
Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland. Fr. Ned Carolan, host.

ALL 38 PLACES ON THE TOUR ARE NOW SOLD OUT

We continue to gather a waiting list for this trip,
as they may be some drop-outs as we near deadlines.
We have started an interest list for future tours!

Let me know if you are interested in knowing more
about exciting, spiritual tourism!

*****

SUMMARY OF OUR AUTUMN MONDAY NIGHT STUDY

We are introducing live videos of our sessions,
edited by Jock McTavish:

Review Our Fall Program at St. David's by clicking:
http://www.1journey.net/stdavids/SD/BookStudy/25/25.htm

New material will continue to be added to this page
as it becomes available.

*****

STUDY ARCHIVES

A collection of twenty-five+ studies conducted since 2000 can
quickly be found at: http://bookstudies.stdavidscalgary.net/

This collection of study resources represents a decade of
Monday Night Studies at St. David's, plus extra courses too!

You are welcome to use our course outlines, class notes and
resource pages in your personal and group reflections.

*****************************************************

SPECIAL ITEM

HOLST FAMILY CHRISTMAS LETTER

Calgary, Alberta                                        Christmas, 2010

Dear Friends:

Twelve months ago, as we were writing our annual Christmas
letter,  we didn’t know that 2010 would become a year for
fighting colon cancer.

It was on January 13th that we learned Wayne had contracted
this illness. Fortunately, we were quickly led through a
battery of tests, followed by radiation and chemo treatments.
On June 15th, five months after prompt detection and careful
preparation, Wayne underwent surgery. He spent the summer
months recovering under Marlene’s loving support. We attribute
the resulting cure the doctors say has occurred to early
detection, professional treatment, a caring, extended family
and faith in a loving God.

The year was not without its special joys. Daughters Carmen
and Sarah, along with their spouses Mark and Ronnie, brought
their own daughters Emily and Mya into the world within three
weeks of each other. This happened during the month of May.
Marlene is thrilled at becoming a grandmother for the first
time. Wayne is so proud to be part of these wonderful events
in the continuing development of our family. There is more
joy to come as Heather and Paul are expecting their first
child in February of 2011!

All told, this has been an eventful and fruitful year. Even
our brush with serious illness has made life more precious,
its possibilities more open-ended, and its mysteries more
wonderful.

In August, we spent two weeks in British Columbia and enjoyed
our time in Vancouver and the Island. We are amazed at how
this part of Canada has expanded and progressed since we last
traveled extensively in our westernmost province a little
more than a decade ago.

In September, we spent a week in Ontario, attending the Shaw
and Stratford Festivals, enjoying the beauty of Niagara, Point
Pelee and Georgian Bay, and spending time with old friends in
Wayne’s hometown of St. Jacobs. In November, Wayne’s
Rockway Collegiate (Kitchener) high school graduating class
of 1960 celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. While we were
unable to return for that event he experienced much
satisfaction reconnecting with school friends from half
a century ago.

The University of Calgary closed the post office in April,
and this meant Marlene was faced with a job loss. But the
severance was generous and she continues to look for the
kind of work she enjoys and deserves. Hopefully there will
be more about this to report in our letter next year.

Wayne continues to teach classes at both the University of
Calgary and St. David’s United Church - as he has done for
twenty years. Combining the writing of his weekly Colleagues
List religion and culture blog with his teaching he enjoys
life to the full and looks forward to every day.  Check this
out at http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com/ and let us know
if you would like to receive these mailings gratis simply by
contacting us at:

waholst@telusplanet.net (or)
marleneaholst@gmail.com

Next April and May, we will host a group of almost 40 pilgrims
to the Celtic lands of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the UK to
celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of St. David’s United Church,
Calgary. Spiritual travel appears to be a newly developing
vocation for us and there are many places to see!

We continue to update our travel blog through the year.
Please visit us at http://holstlog.blogspot.com
                                                                              
Marlene and Wayne

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

CHRISTMAS COLUMN
December 12th, 2010

"No Room at the Inn"

http://tinyurl.com/26p5gyg

*****

BOB BETTSON
Sarnia, ON

Re: Colleagues List, December 11th, 2010

ST. JOHN'S CALGARY VOTES
TO JOIN CATHOLIC CHURCH
  
Hi Wayne,

I spent eight formative years from the age of 25 to 33 at St. John's  
when it was an Anglo-Catholic parish--but very much in the
mainstream of Anglican life and life in the Diocese... Much of this
was when I was religion writer for the Calgary Herald...

When I returned to the Diocese in 2001 as a priest...it was into a
period of eccentricity--including ...(a) fairly extreme conservative
theology joined to Anglo-Catholicism...

(Later) many of the longtime parishioners who I knew had become
disenchanted with the direction St. John's was headed--paying lip
service to the prayer book but moving to use of the Missal, a
liturgy not authorized by the Anglican Church of Canada, with a
pre-Vatican 2 ceremonial and corresponding theology...

There seems to be no recognition in media coverage either in the
church press or secular press that other Anglo-Catholic parishes in
Toronto, Vancouver and other centres are flourishing inside the 
Anglican Church of Canada. Being Anglo-Catholic does not mean
automatic opposition to women priests, blessing of same sex unions
and liturgical renewal...

The Ordinariate offered by Pope Benedict seems a very one sided
offer and not one which is in the spirit of ecumenism...

Yours truly,

the Rev'd Bob Bettson
Canon Davis Memorial Church,
Diocese of Huron
Anglican Church of Canada

*****

TIM CALLOWAY
Airdrie, AB.

Here is the latest on Christians in Iraq -

WITH NEW VIOLENCE,
MORE CHRISTIANS ARE FLEEING IRAQ

Thousands of Iraqi Christians from Baghdad and Mosul have
fled to northern Iraq amid a campaign of targeted violence
against them.

New York Times
Dec. 13th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/35v59y5

---

Video: (loading may take time)

http://tinyurl.com/38zaakm

---

Slide Show: Christians In Iraq

http://tinyurl.com/2d5eaa5


*****

IAN MACDONALD
Calgary, AB.

GLOBE AND MAIL NAMES PANEL
TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF FAITH IN CANADA

Wayne:

Where is the liberal (like me) Canadian
Christian representation on this panel?

Ian

---

Ian:

Two of our colleagues, Michael Higgins and
Lorna Dueck are included in this panel.
Both are progressive thinkers - representing
the Roman Catholic and evangelical Protestant
traditions.

Still, there seems to be a media bias, even
ignorance, of much mainstream Protestantism
in Canada today.

Perhaps its a case of 'familiarity breeds contempt'
and I think more of us mainliners, like colleague
Bob Bettson, should be expressing  ourselves in the
media.

Wayne

---

Globe and Mail
December 13th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/34cqpab


*************************

NET NOTES

REFLECTION ON THE HURON CAROL
Brebeuf, Hymn-writer and Canadian Martyr

America Magazine
Advent/Christmas, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/28vsjzt

*****


LIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Slide-show of 19 Christmas Sites

The Telegraph UK
Dec. 17th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/32vknqz

*****

LUTHERAN/ANGLICAN CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Church leaders share their message

ACC/ELCIC News Services
December 15th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2887uu6

*****

US PREACHER COULD BE BANNED FROM UK
Would-be 'Koran-burner' not welcome

The Guardian
Dec. 13th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/23wb632

*****

TOP TEN CREATIONIST ARGUMENTS
A humourous take on conservative positions

The Guardian, UK
Dec. 14th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/26r7zt2

*****

JESUS' GREAT-GRANDMOTHER IDENTIFIED
Ismeria Shown to be a Model for Older Women

Discovery News
Dec. 9th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/25wnu87

*****

ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS 'ON RISE IN EUROPE'
A growing reaction to cultural traditions

The Tablet
Dec. 17th, 2010

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15683

*****

MURDERED FRENCH KING'S REMAINS EXPLAINED
His Throat was Slit by a Deranged Man

Discovery News
December 15th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/298p2rz

*****

COMMUNIST VIETNAM CATCHES CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Christmas as a Global Phenomenon Confirmed

Mercury News
December 15th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/27v96pb

*****

LUTHERAN LEADER SEEKS HOLY COMMUNION
ACCORD WITH THE POPE
Suggests Churches Move Beyond Tradition

Anglican Church News
December 17th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2fzaxwq

*****

DALAI LAMA STILL HEADS
TIBETAN GOVERNMENT IN EXILE
He Continues to Serve Dual Role
of Government and Religious Leader

CathNews Asia
December 13th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/23a65ve

*****

BREAKAWAY CHURCHES TAKE CASE TO SUPREME COURT
Four BC Anglican Congregations Try One More Time

Anglican Journal
December 15th, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2d4rb7r

*****

GLOBAL FAITH POTPOURRI

Ecumenical News International
News Highlights
13 December 2010

Hong Kong Christian groups join in honouring
Nobel laureate Liu

Hong Kong (ENInews). About 1000 people in Hong Kong
joined a celebration co-organized by Christian groups
to honour imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu
Xiaobo in a celebration coinciding with the Nobel
ceremony in Oslo. The Hong Kong Christian Institute
and the local Roman Catholic Justice and Peace
Commission organized the gathering with non-
governmental groups to commend Liu, urging Beijing
to release him and other political prisoners on 10
December. Liu has been imprisoned since 2009 as part
of an 11–year sentence for "inciting the subversion
of State power". "Beijing should know that to confer
the Nobel Peace Prize on Mr. Liu is not to confront
the Chinese people. Human rights are universal values,
and should be abided by all," Catholic Hong Kong
legislator Alan Leong Kah-kit told ENI news at the
Hong Kong meeting.

_____


African inter-faith leader calls for
protest over Ivory Coast poll

Nairobi (ENI news). The president of an African Inter-
faith peace group has called on religious leaders to
protest over Ivory Coast's presidential election
dispute, in which two politicians have been sworn
in as head of State. The Rev. Ishmael Noko, former
Lutheran World Federation general secretary, said
on 9 December, Ivory Coast's people are being forced
to accept an intolerable political situation, as
incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo continues to
cling to power after losing to opposition candidate,
Alassane Ouattara. "Today the Ivorian people find
themselves forced to accept an unacceptable
political environment of one country, two
Presidents," said Noko, who is president of the
Inter-faith Action for Peace in Africa, in a
letter made available to ENI news. "The democratic
will of the people of Ivory Coast is clear ….
Therefore further attempts to manipulate their
expressed will should not be allowed by any
standard of political measurement.

*****

14 December 2010

Trade union founded for Bulgarian Orthodox clergy,
lay employees

Sofia (ENI news). The founding of a trade union for
Bulgarian Orthodox Church priests and church employees
has angered at least one member of the senior hierarchy
of the church, who denounced it as being against the
church's canon law. According to Bulgarian-language
media reports on 13 December, the union will be part
of Podkrepa, one of the southeastern European country's
two national trade union federations. In the north-
western town of Vratsa, priests said that they had
not been paid on time for a long time and their
statutory health and retirement insurance had not
been paid, the Standart daily newspaper reported.
The Vratsa Metropolitan Kipriyan said, however,
it is "absurd" for priests to have a trade union
and that this is against the church's own law.

_____


Japanese Baptist leader says statistics hide
impact of homelessness

Tokyo (ENI news). Being homeless cuts people off from
the rest of humanity, says a Japanese pastor who heads
an award-winning non-profit organization for those
without a roof over their heads. "We need to support
those homeless people in both physical and relational
poverty by providing them with their material needs
and helping to restore their human ties," said the
Rev. Tomoshi Okuda, who chairs the board of directors
of the Kitakyushu Organization to Support the Homeless
in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. He said government
statistics do not reveal the true cost of homelessness.

_____


Presbyterian theologian takes helm
at Indian church council

Bangalore, India (ENI news). A Presbyterian theologian,
the Rev. Roger Gaikwad, has been installed as the new
general secretary of the National Council of Churches
in India, which groups 30 Orthodox and Protestant
churches. "My aim is to strengthen ecumenical relations
at the grass roots. This will bring out greater unity
among the churches," Gaikwad told ENI news on 14 December
following his installation five days earlier at the
NCCI's Nagpur headquarters in central India. Fifty-
seven-year old Gaikwad had been principal of the
Aizwal Theological College of the Presbyterian Church
of India and was chosen unanimously for the post in
August.

*****

15 December 2010

Vatican official responds to WikiLeaks
'yes man' claims

Rome (ENInews). A top Vatican official who was the
subject of unflattering diplomatic cables revealed
by the WikiLeaks Web site has said he proud to have
been described as one of the "yes men" of Pope
Benedict XVI. Reports in the Italian media have
drawn attention to the messages sent to the U.S.
Department of State by the U.S. embassy to the Holy
See about 76-year-old Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
named by the Pope in 2006 as the Holy See's
secretary of state, seen as the "number two"
position in the Catholic hierarchy. Julieta
Valls Noyes, the deputy chief of mission for
the embassy, was quoted in one message referring
to voices in the Vatican calling for the "removal"
of Bertone from his position. She described Bertone
as a papal "yes man" being more interested in
spiritual issues than foreign policy, and who
lacked language skills. Vatican sources noted
that while the cardinal does not speak English,
he speaks Spanish, German, French and Portuguese.

_____

Obama, in shadow of worrisome polls,
embraces 'Christian' label

Washington DC (ENI news/RNS). When U.S. President Barack
Obama lit the National Christmas Tree behind the White
House in 2009, he spoke of a "child born far from home"
and said "while this story may be a Christian one, its
lesson is universal". This year, Obama made a reference
to that same "child born far from home", but added a
more personal twist: "It's a story that's dear to Michelle
and me as Christians." Three days later, at a Christmas
benefit concert, the president again talked about how
the story of Christmas "guides my Christian faith",
Religion News Service reports.

*****

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners Online

December 14th, 2010

"This is the rule of most perfect Christianity,
it's the most exact definition, its highest point,
namely, the seeking of the common good. For nothing
can so make a person an imitator of Christ as caring
for [their] neighbors."

- John Chrysostom

---

December 15th, 2010

"Adoration, as it more deeply possesses us, inevitably
leads on to self-offering. Charity is the live wire
along which the power of God, indwelling our finite
spirits, can and does act on our souls and other things,
rescuing, healing, giving support and light."

- Evelyn Underhill

---

December 16th, 2010

"Mary represents the 'rebel consciousness' that is
essential to Jesus' gospel. Wherever the gospel is
preached, we must remember that its good news will
make you crazy. Jesus will put you at odds with the
economic and political systems of our world. This
gospel will force you to act, interrupting the
world as it is in ways that make even pious
people indignant."

- Emmanuel Katongole

*****

ON THIS DAY

Dec. 12, 1963 - Kenya gained its independence from Britain

http://tinyurl.com/2a8a87e

_____

Dec. 14, 1981 - Israel annexed the Golan Heights, seized
from Syria in 1967.

http://tinyurl.com/3yg72ty

_____

Dec. 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first
successful man-powered airplane flight, Kitty Hawk, N.C.

http://tinyurl.com/299ypcy

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT -

A quote from George Bernard Shaw:

Shaw expresses my feelings exactly --

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of
splendid torch which I have got hold of for a
moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly
as possible before handing it on to future
generations."

(end)

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