Colleagues List, August 11th, 2013

Vol IX No.3

****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

Wayne A. Holst, Editor

My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net

*****

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

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

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Dear Friends:

I'd like to share my reflections with you
on a special experience shared by some
of us from St. David's Church. We were
invited to an "end of Ramadan" dinner by 
a very hospitable group of Calgary Muslims, 
associated with the local chapter of the 
Intercultural Dialogue Centre.

I think this will help us build ties with
the Islamic faith community in our city

The reflections are entitled:

"Invitation to the Calgary
 Ramadan Friendship Dinner"

Centre Website and art form:

http://tinyurl.com/mzsyaeb
http://vimeo.com/24709888

--

Colleague Comment:

Art Bauer (Pompton Plains, NJ) 
responds to the book we introduced 
here two weeks ago - "How Maps 
Change Things." 

He connects us to the author 
Ward. L. Kaiser. (see below)

Art also applauds colleague
Douglas John Hall for a recent 
book - "Waiting for Gospel"
http://tinyurl.com/m6qzlml

--

Colleague Contributions:

Marjorie Gibson (Vancouver) appeares this
week in the Globe and Mail. Congratulations!
http://tinyurl.com/m9398nu

Isabel Gibson (Ottawa) writes on a green theme.
http://tinyurl.com/k7ebp7k

Jim Taylor (Okanagan) takes up the subject of
"Anniversaries." http://tinyurl.com/lwltclx

Ron Rolheiser (San Antonio) reflects on giving
to the poor. http://tinyurl.com/ksycj5j

Lorna Dueck (Toronto) appears this week in
Christianity Today online in an interview on her
work as a Christian in the secular media world.
http://tinyurl.com/mn5s9ls

--

Net Notes:

"A Uniter of Nations" - a reminder of the great
work of a great humanitarian Dag Hammarskjold 
(America Magazine) http://tinyurl.com/kxlna4q

"Addicted to Prayer" - from the author of
"When God Talks Back" a study of evangelical
Christianity introduced here last year
(New York Times) http://tinyurl.com/kaczbp8

"Return of the Jesus Wars" - a new book on
Jesus has just appeared. This time, it is written
by a Muslim and is stirring the literary waters
(New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and
Washington Times)
http://tinyurl.com/mvsb7y4
http://tinyurl.com/mjjo6th
http://tinyurl.com/k7kyk9r

"Protestants "More Creative" - a new study
suggests that a Protestant is a a more creative
type than a Catholic or a Jew (Daily Mail, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/lubygts

"Apology Has Changed Things" - the Anglican 
primate of Canada reflects at the twentieth
anniversary of the official apology of his
church to Canada's First Nations in 1993
(Anglican Journal) http://tinyurl.com/l6am5nh

"Papal Visit to Brazil a Success" - Francis 
has garnered a lot of praise in the wake of
his first overseas visit - to Brazil (New York
Times, Mercator, National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/nytwx2h
http://tinyurl.com/nyugpnz
http://tinyurl.com/lj7k3ek

"Meaning Healthier than Happiness" - another
study this week suggests that people who
search for meaning, rather than happiness
have a higher quality of life experience
(The Atlantic) http://tinyurl.com/n5fz6od

"Canadians Write Prayers for Unity" -
next January's internationally read  material 
for  the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 
will be authored by Canadians (Catholic
Register, Toronto) http://tinyurl.com/muuwm5r

"Barcelona Cathedral Near Completion" - the
modernistic Holy Family Cathedral in Barcelona
is nearing completion after more than a century
(The Internationalist) http://tinyurl.com/mvqxe47

"Did Pope Change Homosexuality Teaching?"
- for those who think Francis has moved
Catholic teaching on gays ahead with his
recent comments, here is clarification
(The Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/mppotud

"Canadian Doctors Oppose Assisted Suicide"
- a large majority of doctors in this country
do not support assisted suicide (Calgary
Herald) http://tinyurl.com/lpol5au

--

Wisdom of the Week:

Provided by Sojourners Online -

Letter to Diognetus, St. Augustine, Parker Palmer,
John Perkins Proverb, Jeanne Jugan,
Martin Luther King Jr, Mohandas Gandhi and
Athenagoras, Patriarch of Constantinople -
provide reflection pieces of us this week.

--

On This Day:

From the Archives of the New York Times -

Charles Marries Diana at St. Paul's
http://tinyurl.com/mjytw6r

US Sub Nautilus Sails Under North Pole
http://tinyurl.com/n2l7jma

US Drops First Atom Bomb on Japan
http://tinyurl.com/dhzpn9

Nixon Resigns
http://tinyurl.com/mjcne3b

--

Closing Thought:

Frederick Bueckner

(end)

*****

UPCOMING ACTIVITY AT THE CHURCH -

TURKEY TOUR

REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION
St. David's United Church, Calgary

Sunday, September 8th, 2013
10:00 AM

Members of the tour will present
thoughts on their tour experiences
in April and May of this year.
(more to follow)

*****

MY AUTUMN PROGRAMS AT
THE CHURCH AND UNIVERSITY

FALL MONDAY NIGHT STUDY
ST. DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"Immortal Diamond - The Search
 for the True Self"" by Richard Rohr

Description of the Book:
http://tinyurl.com/n9ymr59

Mondays, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 16th - November 5th, 2013

Team Taught With Jock McTavish
Books on sale at the church Sunday, August 26th
Registration, Hospitality and Book - $50.00
Book only - $20.

*****

FALL TUESDAY NIGHT UNIVERSITY COURSE

"Heresies and Heretics" -
 Encountering the Early Church Controversies
 by Bart Ehrmann

Tuesday, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 24th - December 3rd, 2013
(no class, October 7th)

Description and Registration Info:
http://tinyurl.com/qcs6hx7

Jock McTavish will offer two video sessions
to complement the series

******

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

INVITATION TO THE CALGARY
RAMADAN FRIENDSHIP DINNER

Engaging Intercultural Dialogue

This week marks the end of Ramadan, the
month-long period of fasting and other personal
disciplines within the global Islamic tradition.

To mark this time on the religious calendar,
Muslims open their hearts and homes for
various forms of welcome and hospitality.

The members of Calgary's Intercultural
Dialogue Institute, (IDI) supported mainly by 
the Turkish community in this city (and one of
nine such groups in many of Canada's major
cities) invited a number of us from St. David's
United Church to a friendship dinner.

This was especially interesting to those of us
who had taken a seventeen day tour of Turkey
this April and May.

Here are some notes and reflections I took
during an evening filled with fun, food, music, art 
and sharing across cultures representing many 
Canadians and some of  Turkish extraction who 
are making Canada their home.

--

To begin, here is a text, sight and sound
presentation on the mission of the IDI

Please click, and click again, for a very
interesting introduction:

http://tinyurl.com/mzsyaeb

--

The Meaning of Ramadan

Ramadan is a period of inner reflection
and of reaching out for Muslims around 
the world. It is not unlike the Christian 
season of Lent, between Ash Wednesday 
and Good Friday.

The focus is on spiritual purification,
attention to building community, charity
and concern for the less fortunate and
an opening of Muslim homes to neighbors
and friends.

The people of Islamic tradition in
attendance seemed largely to be of
Turkish and  Sunni background. They
certainly reflected similar hospitality 
to our experience in Turkey this year.

A strong focus was on the values we
share across religious and cultural
divides. We had the opportunity to
discuss share hopes for peace and
justice as fellow-Canadians. While
altruism was certainly part of this
common vision, it was not without
awareness of the real differences
that have separated us in the past.

We were reminded of the -

Six Pillars of Islamic Faith:

Oneness of God
Angels as Real Beings
Revealed Books of God (Bible/Koran)
Messengers (in Bible and Koran)
Time of Judgement, Resurrection, Afterlife
Divine Destiny, Including Human Free-Will

Five Acts of Faith

Testimony that God is One, and 
  that of His Prophet Mohammed
Daily Prayer Facing Mecca (five times)
Fasting During Ramadan
Alms giving (Obligatory Annual Charity)
Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once)

Ramadan occurs in the ninth month
of the Islamic Calendar when fasting
from food, drink and sexual relations
between spouses is practiced.

Four Dimensions of Islamic Faith
(leading to personal growth)

Behavioral - practicing self control
Religious  - learning thankfulness
Social     - coming together as people,
             generosity to the poor
Spiritual  - growth in obedience and 
             thankfulness
--

While these themes suggested
previous eras of Christian teaching
practices involving rote learning, it
was helpful to be confronted with
these "basics" of Islamic faith.
Non-Muslims could compare and
contrast these themes with their
own faith principles.

--

Friendships were formed at this
event. Appreciation for Turkish 
music and art (including modern
ebru water painting) brought back
memories of Turkey.

http://vimeo.com/24709888

Discussions helped to clarify some
of the complexities, such as the
relation of religion and the state
in Islam, varieties of Islamic faith
traditions in Turkey (Sunni, Alevism,
etc.) and current events through
the eyes of ex-patriot Turks.

--

We were grateful for the warm
welcome and the great hospitality.

We hope to be able to reciprocate
with our hosts in future equally 
rewarding ways.

(end)


*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

ARTHUR BAUER
Pompton Plains, NJ

July 30th, 2013

Ward Kaiser writes to Art:

"Thank you for bringing the reference to 'How 
Maps Change Things' in Wayne Holst's fine 
newsletter to my attention. I find it encouraging 
that a number of people have forwarded this,
indicative of the loyal readership it commands."

Ward

--

Art adds:

"I am in the midst of reading Douglas John Hall's 
"Waiting for Gospel."  It is absolutely the 
BEST reading I have had in ages!  I needed 
his wisdom and contribution......a real blessing 
and Gift. Thank you for pointing me to it.

http://tinyurl.com/m6qzlml


*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

MARJORIE GIBSON
Vancouver, BC

Globe and Mail
August 5th, 2013

Marjorie's Manifesto:
"Dementia Will Not Make Me a Basket Case"

http://tinyurl.com/m9398nu

--

ISABEL GIBSON
Ottawa, ON

"Bein' Green"

http://tinyurl.com/k7ebp7k

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

Personal Website,
August 7th, 2013

"Anniversaries"

http://tinyurl.com/lwltclx

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

Personal Website
August 4th, 2013

"Our Need to Give to the Poor"

http://tinyurl.com/ksycj5j

--

LORNA DUECK
Toronto, ON

Christianity Today
August 2, 2013

"Let Me Impact the Media for You"

http://tinyurl.com/mn5s9ls

*****

NET NOTES

A UNITER OF NATIONS
Dag Hammarskjold Remembered

America Magazine
August 12th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kxlna4q

--

ADDICTED TO PRAYER
by T.M. Luhrmann

New York Times
August 4th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kaczbp8

--

RETURN OF THE JESUS WARS
Christianities We Never Knew

New York Times
August 4th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mvsb7y4

-

"Sales of New Jesus Book Explode"
 Islamic Author Riding Cultural Wave

Publisher's Weekly
July 31st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mjjo6th

-

Christians Find Jesus Portrayal Difficult
New Challenge to Interfaith Relations

Washington Times
August 1st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/k7kyk9r

--

PROTESTANTS "MORE CREATIVE"
Survey Finds Them Ahead of Catholics, Jews

Daily Mail, UK.
July 30th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lubygts

--

APOLOGY HAS CHANGED THINGS
A Twenty-Year Anglican Perspective

Anglican Journal
August 7th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/l6am5nh

--

PAPAL VISIT TO BRAZIL A SUCCESS
A Pointer to Ecclesial Revitalization

New York Times
July 28th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/nytwx2h

-

Another Secular Comment -

"Christianity is Not Dead"

Mercator.com
July 30th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/nyugpnz

-

Comment from a Catholic Reporter-

"'Mercy' Describes His Papacy"

John L. Allen
National Catholic Reporter
August 2nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lj7k3ek

--

MEANING IS HEALTHIER THAN HAPPINESS
Challenge to the Current "Happiness" Craze

The Atlantic
August 2nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/n5fz6od

--

CANADIANS WRITE PRAYERS FOR UNITY
Global Ecumenical Effort for Second Time

Catholic Register
July 28th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/muuwm5r

--

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL NEARING COMPLETION
Holy Family Construction for More than a Century

International
July 29th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mvqxe47

--

DID POPE CHANGE TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY?
A Reflection on What Francis Really Said

The Christian Century
July 30th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mppotud

--

MOST CANADIAN DOCTORS OPPOSE
PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE

Calgary Herald
August 5th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lpol5au

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Christians live in their own countries, but only 
as guests and aliens. They take part in everything 
as citizens and endure everything as aliens. ... 
They are as poor as begars, and yet they make 
many rich. They lack everything, and yet they 
have everything in abundance. They are dishonored, 
and yet have their glory in this very dishonor. ... 
They are abused, yet they bless. ... In a word: 
what the soul is in the body, the Christians are 
in the world.

- Letter to Diognetus, an early, Christian writing 
  whose author is unknown

--

In affliction, then, we do not know what it is right 
to pray for. Because affliction is difficult, 
troublesome, and against the grain for us, weak as 
we are, we do what every human would do. We pray 
that it may be taken away from us.

However, if he does not take it away, we must not 
imagine that he has forgotten us. In this way, power 
shines forth more perfectly in weakness.

- St. Augustine

--

The power of a fully lived life or a truly learned 
mind is not a power to be sought or contrived. It 
comes only as we let go of what we possess and find 
ourselves possessed by a truth greater than our own.

- Parker Palmer

--

Go to the people. Live among them. Learn from them. 
Love them. Start with what they know. Build on what 
they have. 

But of the best leaders, when their task is 
accomplished, when their work is done ... the people 
will remark: "We have done it ourselves."

- often quoted by John Perkins Proverb

--

Go and find Jesus when your patience and strength 
give out and you feel alone and helpless. He is 
waiting for you. Say to him, 'Jesus, you know 
exactly what is going on. You are all I have, 
and you know all. Come to my help.' And then 
go and don't worry about how you are going to 
manage. That you have told God about it is enough. 
He has a good memory.

- Jeanne Jugan

--

It is not enough to say 'We must not wage war.' 
It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice 
for it.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

--

Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. 
Properly understood and applied, it is the most 
potent instrument of action.

- Mohandas Gandhi

--

Our life does not consist in making up beautiful 
phrases but in performing beautiful deeds.

- Athenagoras

*****

ON THIS DAY

CHARLES MARRIES DIANA AT ST. PAUL'S
http://tinyurl.com/mjytw6r

US SUB NAUTILUS SAILS UNDER NORTH POLE
http://tinyurl.com/n2l7jma

US DROPS FIRST ATOM BOMB ON JAPAN
http://tinyurl.com/dhzpn9

NIXON RESIGNS
http://tinyurl.com/mjcne3b

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT

FREDERICK BUECKNER

The grace of God means something like: Here is 
your life. You might never have been, but you are 
because the party wouldn't have been complete 
without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and 
terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. 
I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. 
It's for you I created the universe. I love you. 
There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the 
gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach 
out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out 
and take it is a gift too.

(end)