Colleagues List, March 17th, 2013

Vol. VIII No. 23

*****

Wayne A. Holst, Editor

My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net

*****

Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

Canadian Anglicans Goodle Groups Web Site:
http://tinyurl.com/aqml3qr

"Quicklinks" are included with many items.
Otherwise, scroll down to find your selection
in the body of the blog.

*****

Dear Friends:

Almost two weeks ago I heard an interesting
lecture, sponsored by the Chair of Christian
Thought at my university. Colleague Doug
Shantz is chairholder, and he brought
Dr, Heather Coleman from the Univeristy
of Alberta to speak on the theme:

"Studying Russian Religion Since
 the Collapse of Communism"

I took notes, and would like to share
Heather's presentation with you now.

--

This week, our Colleagues' Communications
are from -

Marjorie Gibson - who writes:
"Life is What Happens"
http://tinyurl.com/abpzusd

Jim Taylor - tells us about:
"The Invisible People Around Us"
http://tinyurl.com/cbjr5gd

Lorna Dueck - offers:
"Prayer for a New Pope"
http://tinyurl.com/bbbz36b

--

Net Notes:

"Why Be A Liberal Catholic?" - this item
appeared in the British press during the
week of the papal election. It has a
special meaning in the UK, but not only
there (The Guardian)
http://tinyurl.com/b46mbwh

"Francis I Faces Big Challenges" - this
article introduced Pope Francis I to the
world (New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/cs938du

"The Real Winner of the 2013 Conclave" -
Recognized Catholic columnist John Allen
says that St. Francis of Assisi was the
guiding image for the newly elected
pontiff (National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/node/47661

"Stanley Hauerwas Comments on New Pope" -
Here is a Protestant perspective on the
election of the Jesuit the papacy this week
(Englewood Review of Books - video)
http://tinyurl.com/alce4xa

"Who are the People Waiting for Francis?" -
Sr. Joan Chittister, always worth reading,
adds her views to those listed above -
(National Catholic Reporter)
http://ncronline.org/node/47586/

"Many Canadian Catholics are New Ethnics" -
This was a week where Catholicism grabbed
most of the headlines, even in Canada. Where
do many new Canadian Catholics come from?
(CBC) http://tinyurl.com/cq8f4x6

"Why Priests? (Gary Wills) A Second Review" -
Several weeks ago I introduced a new book
on the priesthood by Catholic writer Gary
Wills and provided a New York Times review.
Here is a Protestant take on that book
from The Englewood Review of Books.
http://tinyurl.com/abedjem

"Hindu Shrine in India Addicted to Alcohol" -
here is another video report, this time from
India with a highly unusual twist to it
(Uca News) http://tinyurl.com/c3wdlf7

"Six Big Consequences of Higgs Boson Discovery"
- The great CERN labs in Geneva Switzerland
have been making history with their study
of Higgs Boson. Here is an important update
(Christian Science Monitor)
http://tinyurl.com/b4x74sh

--

Wisdom of the Week:

St. Maria Skobtsova, Saint Teresa of Avila and
Simone Weil share their thoughts with us.

--

On this Day:

A Newsworthy event, March 16th -

Viet Cong Claim 567 Killed in Mi Lai Massacre
Many were unarmed Men, Women and Children
http://tinyurl.com/ycyo8gd

--

Closing Thought: Isabel Gibson

"The Gift of Surprise"
http://tinyurl.com/a8mro93

--

As always, I conclude with my best wishes
as we approach the most important season
of the church year - the pending arrival
of Holy Week and Easter.

Wayne

(end)

******

Wayne's Study Programs:

ST. DAVID'S AND UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES

St. David's and ACTS Ministry -

Our Spiritual Travelers Tour for 2013
TURKEY AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THIS TOUR HAS 26 MEMBERS AND WILL
DEPART APRIL 23rd, 2013 (17 days)

Our major tour themes are: Classic Greek and Roman,
Early Christian, Muslim-Christian and the beautiful
scenery of the Mediterranean coast of SW Turkey.

*Enjoy Istanbul (Constantinople) - long a link
between East and West.

*Classical cities like Troy will be visited and
intriguing ancient sites will be revealed.

*Pilgrims from many of the regions we will visit
were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost - people
from "Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia" -
(Acts 2.)

*Saint Paul founded churches in many of the centers
of central and western Turkey and we will spend
quality time in places like Ephesus.

*We will come to know cities mentioned in the
Book of Revelation (chapters 1-3) by Jobn.
Cities like Pergamon, Thyatira, Philadelphia,
Sardis and Smyrna

---

The tour book will include reflection pages
with the itinerary as well as answers to many
traveller's questions.

Your tour hosts:

Marlene and Wayne Holst
waholst@telusplanet.net (or)
marleneaholst@gmail.com 
403-286-7416

*****

OUR WINTER AND SPRING 2013 STUDY PROGRAMS

With more to be announced -

AT ST.DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"WELCOMING THE STRANGER" WEEKEND AT ST. DAVID'S

THIS EVENT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL!

Friday March 1st - Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

Special Guest:
Mary Jo Leddy, Romero House, Toronto.

Mary Jo's presentations will take place
at St. David's church.

Other guests are presently being secured for
panels, workshop and as seminar leaders. These
activities will be held on the university
campus.

Watch for new information on this
special weekend focused on Canada's
policy for welcoming new Canadians
and how Christians might respond.

See Reflections on this event,
Colleagues List, March 10th, 2013.

*****

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY

THIS STUDY IS NEARING COMPLETION!

From Monday, January 14th
through Monday, March 26th.
7:00 - 9:00 PM TM Room.

We close, March 25th, holding a phone
conference call with Mary Jo Leddy
in Toronto to reflect on her books
and her weekend with us.

Study Book:

"Radical Gratitude" by Mary Jo Leddy

Review of book links:
http://tinyurl.com/bemfdms 
(Western Catholic Reporter)

http://tinyurl.com/awu94eq 
(Gospel and our Culture)

Cost of the course: $50.00
Buy only the book: $20.00

We have a few remaining copies
of "The Other Face of God" and
have sold a total of 110 copies
of Mary Jo's books at St.David's.
If interested, call the office
403-284-2279.

*****

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

"Wisdom in the Books of Song of Solomon
 and Ecclesiastes"

Thursday, January 17th - April 11th, 2013

THIS SERIES HAS BEGUN!!
Drop-ins welcome.

All welcome. No cost.

*****

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

THIS COURSE WILL SOON BE COMPLETED!!

Tuesday Night University Study sponsored
by the Faculty of Continuing Education:

HERESIES AND HERETICS - The Real Story of
Early Christianity. Cont Ed Course 198-001

Ten Sessions - Jan. 22nd - Mar. 26th, 2013

Click this link for books, costs and details:
http://tinyurl.com/77xuwnu

---

THIS COURSE IS UNDERWAY!!

Faith and Spirituality Centre Winter Study
Sponsored by the Christian chaplains of
the University of Calgary

TWELVE STEPS TO A COMPASSIONATE LIFE
A Study of Karen Armstrong's latest book.

Fridays - March 1st - April 5th
12 noon - 1:00 PM

Six Weeks - Native Centre Board Room,
McEwan Student Centre, University of Calgary.

12 noon to 1:00 PM: Cost of the book: $15.

*****

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/St_Davids_United_Church/Audio.html

*****

STUDY ARCHIVES

An accumulation of thirty-five books studied
since 2000 can quickly be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/6oxmyj4

This collection of study resources represents
more than 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

STUDYING RUSSIAN RELIGION
SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM

A Lecture by Dr. Heather Coleman
Canada Reseach Chair in Imperial Russian History
Deptartment of History and Classics,
University of Alberta

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
University of Calgary

Introduction:

In the twenty years since the end of the Soviet
Union, religion has emerged as one of the most
vibrant fields in Russian studies.

This renewed interest in religion has led to a
reconceptualization of the history of Orthodox
Christianity in Russia and the place of religion
in late Imperial (Czarist) Russia, as well as
Soviet and post-Soviet Russian society.

This presentation will survey this lively field
and suggest how the stury of Eastern Christianity
illuminates the place of Christianity in the
modern world.

A Big Change Occurred:

With the fall of Communism, Russian historical
archives opened up and demonstrated that (contrary
to the perceived notions of foreigners) the Russian
people continued to be very interested in religion -
during the pre-Soviet era, in the 70 years the
Soviets held power, and in the time since 1994.

We are tempted to ask "Where did all this religion
come from?" The fact is, in many ways it was
always there. Orthodoxy was already going through
a period of transformation before the revolution,
and this has continued since before 1917.

After it became possible, twenty years ago, for
people to openly investigate it, research has
blossomed. The Russian people have been engaged
in a major identity quest and this has caused them
to revisit their culture and history. They have
been liberated from the need to deal with "Soviet"
interpretations.

What is being discovered is truly amazing. A lot
of "embedded" religion existed in the Imperial,
as well as the Soviet era.

We will consider briefly the state of religion
during the twentieth and early twenty-first
centuries. We will reflect on church-state
relations into modernity, and the impact of
all this upon broader European history.

As researchers looked into the period of the
pre-1920s, for example, the study of religious
history was strikingly underdeveloped. It was
happening but it was not being studied.

The view of the time in Russia was that there
was very little religious history to speak of,
and that "the church was dead" and unimportant.

Orthodoxy had been so identified with the
monarchy that when the latter went down,
religion was perceived to have gone down
with it. There were few in the West who
objected to this view although some scholars
perceptive scholars did.

What we know now was that religious life was
quite vital below the surface. This was true
for those in the priesthood and the laity.
What we discover is that a church continued to
exist "parallel to" but not "subject to" the
state. Many people clearly disassociated
themselves from the religion of the state
(or the lack of it.)

What was happening, unheralded and unknown
to many within and outside Russia, was a
re-Christianization of the country and a
redefinition of clergy and lay roles.

Church life changed from being primarily
"liturgical" to "instructional." This meant
popular religion began to develop outside of
church structures. Priests, in turn, moved
from being functionaries in the church system
to much more engaged in society.

Many educational and charitable organizations
were formed. Popular piety, often characterized
by dissent from the official church, flourished.
A charismatic quality began to appear in the
laity and priesthood alike.

This expressed itself in efforts to protect
believers from the authorities, and attempts
to proselytize unbelievers.

Many communities across the nation created
icons, and established parish life - even
though much of this was covert activity.

The result was that, in many ways, the
Russian Orthodox Church moved beyond
engagement with the official "structures
of church and state into communities made
up of the common people.

This raises questions about what, in fact,
was the core of Christianity in Russia -
the official, or the unofficial church?
The nature of local authority began to
be re-evaluated and new pastoral
theologies were developed. A number of
"Billy Graham-styled" evangelists emerged.
The eucharist moved from the sanctuary to
the gathered "community of believers."

All the sacraments of the church were
retained, but there was much experimenting
with new and more meaningful ways of
practicing them.

"Holy Men" with special appeal to the
people (prophetic rather than priestly
figures) engaged the people and their
needs directly. The question emerged
"How do we deal with these living saints
rather than dead ones?"

Liturgy and icons were not abandoned, but
the concern was refocused to shape godliness
and Christian identification on the ground.

Westerners observing this often viewed it
critically. American Protestants, for
example, discounted this piety and did not
consider it "real faith." (Note-taker's
comment - perhaps this is why there were
efforts on the part of Southern Baptists
to send missionaries to "convert Russians
to Christianity.")

The fact is, outsiders failed to understand
to true nature of the Russian people and
their classic faith traditions. These
"missions from outside" were often met with
stiff objections and resistance from
Russian Christians themselves.

Now, a more mature understanding is
emerging of what the Russian Church
really is. Orthodoxy has encouraged the
people to read and study the scriptures.
The Orthodox liturgy is no longer considered
"pagan" but "connected to the Word."

A new side of Orthodoxy is indeed revealing
itself to investigators. There is not
so much a focus on "individual conversion"
here but on "communal autobiography."

Modern scholarship is helping to normalize
Russian religious experience. The Orthodox
Church with its married priesthood offers
interesting comparisons with Anglicanism,
for example.

Conclusion:

We miss much of what Russian religious
experience and the Christian revival there
means if we view these developments through
Western eyes. In Russia, the church today
is highly visible, well respected and yet
undeveloped on the parish level. In that
respect, it has still not yet recovered
from its association with the late monarchy
or Communism.

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATION

MARJORY GIBSON
Vancouver, BC

Marjorie Remembers Blog
March 12th, 2013

"Life is What Happens"

http://tinyurl.com/abpzusd

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC.

Personal Blog
March 10th, 2013

"The Invisible People Around Us"

http://tinyurl.com/cbjr5gd

--

LORNA DUECK
Toronto, ON.

Context Blog
March 12th, 2013

"Prayer for a New Pope"

http://tinyurl.com/bbbz36b

*****

NET NOTES

WHY BE A LIBERAL CATHOLIC
When You Could Be an Anglican

The Guardian (UK)
March 12th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/b46mbwh

--

FRANCIS I FACES BIG CHALLENGES
Entrenched Vatican System Big Problem

New York Times
March 14th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/cs938du

--

THE REAL WINNER OF THE 2013 CONCLAVE
John Allen Says it is St, Francis

National Catholic Reporter
March 15th, 2013

http://ncronline.org/node/47661

--

STANLEY HAUERWAS COMMENTS ON NEW POPE
His Solidarity With Poor is Important
A Video Presentation

Englewood Review of Books
March 15th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/alce4xa

--

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR POPE FRANCIS?
Chittister Says Pope Appeals to Some Catholics

National Catholic Reporter
March 14th, 2013

http://ncronline.org/node/47586/

--

MANY NEW CANADIAN CATHOLICS ARE NEW ETHNICS
African/Asian Catholic Groups are Flourishing

CBC News
March 13th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/cq8f4x6

--

"WHY PRIESTS" (GARY WILLS) - A SECOND REVIEW
Englewood Review of Books

March 15th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/abedjem

__

HINDU SHRINE IN INDIA ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL
Devotees Offer Alcohol to Appease Deities

Uca News
March 11th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/c3wdlf7

--

SIX BIG CONSEQUENCES OF THE HIGGS BOSON DISCOVERY
"God Particle" Key to Understanding the Universe

Christian Science Moniter
March 14th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/b4x74sh

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

At the Last Judgment I shall not be asked whether
I was successful in my ascetic exercises, nor how
many bows and prostrations I made. Instead I shall
be asked if I fed the hungry, clothed the naked,
visited the sick and the prisoners.

- St. Maria Skobtsova

--

Let nothing disturb you, nothing dismay you. All
things are passing, God never changes. Patient
endurance attains all things. God alone suffices.

- Saint Teresa of Avila

--

Today it is not nearly enough merely to be a saint;
but we must have the saintliness demanded by the
present moment, a new saintliness.

- Simone Weil

*****

ON THIS DAY

March 16th

VIET CONG CLAIM 567 KILLED IN MI LAI MASSACRE
Unarmed Men, Women and Children

http://tinyurl.com/ycyo8gd

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - ISABEL GIBSON

The Gift of Surprize

"When I was born, I was so surprised
 I didn’t talk for a year and a half."

- Gracie Allen

The older we get, the less surprise there is in
our lives. After all, we’ve seen it all before:
the good, the bad, the ugly. As familiarity
descends into jadedness, what a gift is the truly
new, the unexpected, the surprise. Whether it’s
as fleeting as the punchline we didn’t see coming
— All day long, it was hit the ball, drag Harry —
or as permanent as a new way of looking at things
— Receive them ignorant, dispatch them confused.

(Weschler’s teaching motto)

— may we remain open to surprise.

http://tinyurl.com/a8mro93

Check out Isabel's Blog "Traditinal Iconoclast"
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/

(end)