Saturday, October 25, 2014

Colleagues List, October 26th, 2014

Vol. X.  No. 12

*****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net

Colleagues List Web Site:

http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

"Quicklinks" are included with many items
at the beginning of this issue. To get a more
complete picture, however, scroll down to
find your special selection in the body of
the blog. 

Note that not all items here have links.


*****


Dear Friends:

Canada experienced an unusual terrorist
crisis this week - and I have provided
links to this story (see Net Notes, below)

My Special Item this week is a book notice -
"I Want to be in that Number" which is a self-
published volume of reflections by octogenarian
Lois M. Wilson. She is well known in ecumenical
circles and still writing. A month ago, we
were introduced here to "Feisty and Fearless" -
a biography of this remarkable women, and
now we hear from her directly
http://tinyurl.com/mstq5a2

Please scroll down to read my book notice.

--

Colleague Comment - this week is from
Lorna Dueck who is remarkable in her own
way, and writes me from Toronto.
Scroll down to read her.

--

Colleague Contributions this week are from:

James M. Wall - who writes
"Listen to this Irish Senator"
  An Appeal to American Leaders
  For a Two-State Solution in Israel
  http://tinyurl.com/k8nzuxn

Jim Taylor - who shares
"The Ways We Respond to Stress"
  http://tinyurl.com/obvfxub

Ron Rolheiser - who provides
"The Goddess of Chastity"
  http://tinyurl.com/ozq7v97

Martin Marty - who reflects on
"Religion Unites and Divides"
  http://tinyurl.com/m465dmz and

Michael W. Higgins - who contributes
"Ripples of a Living Church"
  http://tinyurl.com/lqv8mex

--

Net Notes - this week

"Gunman Panics Ottawa" - a terrorist
in Ottawa turned normally peaceful
Canada into several days of national
panic (New York Times, Globe and Mail)
http://tinyurl.com/qchdblm

"Prayers for Peace in Ottawa" - church
leaders responded with compassion
for the victims and concern for those
in the Canadian Islamic community.
(Anglican Church in Canada, Citizens
for Public Justice, CBC)
http://tinyurl.com/p8rn7hf
http://tinyurl.com/kcrqwx5
http://tinyurl.com/k6eddvp
http://tinyurl.com/p3wuny8

I also include comment from the USA
http://tinyurl.com/o868kuq

"Pope Francis to Visit Turkey" -
this week the Vatican announced
the itinerary for Pope Francis'
upcoming visit to Islamic Turkey
(Catholic News Service)
http://tinyurl.com/nyq3nwe

"Five Trends of the Unchurched" -
all signs point to growing secularization
in America, while Canada seems to have
experienced similar trends sooner
(The Barna Group)
http://tinyurl.com/qfdw9p2

- meanwhile the Mainline Protestant decline
in the USA seems to be slowing
(The Christian Post)
http://tinyurl.com/mle6rww

"A Pauline Case for SS Marriage" - the
Catholic ethicist husband of a Mennonite
pastor does some creative reflection on
St. Paul and gay and co-habitation issues
(The Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/l5d3mus

"Vatican Boy's Club Needs Inclusivity" -
Catholic women are no longer hesitant
to criticise the upper echelons of the curia
(National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/llysfhj

"Astronaut Hadfield's Great Space Photos" -
beautiful pictures from space just released
(The Guardian, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/leeelu8

"What if America had Canada's Healthcare?" -
these issues have long been discussed, but
now we have some hard data to work with
(The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/msfbbr8

"Loren Mead on the Importance of the
Local Church" - the founder of the Alban
Institute, now centered at Duke University,
speaks with forty years of experience
(Alban.org) http://tinyurl.com/ososclh

"Death Sentence Upheld for Pakistani
Christian Woman" - Asia Bibi continues
to have her basic human rights denied 
because of her minority faith in an
Islamic nation (America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/ppsqzo8

--

Wisdom of the Week - comes courtesy of
Sojurners and Bruderhof online, including
contributions from -

Thomas Merton, Vaclav Havel, Anne Lamott,
Pope Francis and Hildegard of Bingen

Please scroll down to read them.

--

On This Day:

Oct 12th - 18th

Canadian Crisis in Perspective -
"Terrorists Hit Americans in Beirut"
  http://tinyurl.com/k979en8

"Edison Invents Electric Light"
  http://tinyurl.com/mxn27c2

"UN Charter Takes Effect"
  http://tinyurl.com/lj2jyv7

"UN Votes to Admit China, Expel Taiwan"
  http://tinyurl.com/mwvjlat

--

Closing Thought -  is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Please scroll down to read him.

(end)

***

Fall 2014 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary

This information can be found at the
very end of this blog.

My best wishes to all readers.

Wayne

*****

SPECIAL ITEM

Book Notice -

I WANT TO BE IN THAT NUMBER
Cool Saints I have Known
by Lois M. Wilson
Self-published, 2014. 192 pages.
ISBN #978-0-9780839-1-5.

Cover Promo:

This is a storybook for adults.

In our highly individualistic culture, it
invites the reader to consider all that is
implied about community in that phrase
"the communion of saints." Lois offers
deeply personal stories about "saints"
she has known, some as colleagues in
the World Council of Churches, others
as family members or close friends. All
stories are anchored in the scriptural
text chosen for their funeral. She
explores not only why these texts "fit"
the person as she knew them, but what
they say about creating new possibilities
for the world we are co-creating. Here is
a book that offers hope in the midst of
our death-denying culture.

--

Author's Bio:

Dr. Wilson is a well-known teller of
Biblical stories who shared team ministry
with her husband Roy for fifteen years.

Minister, ecumenist, former Moderator of
the United Church of Canada, Senator,
Chancellor, President of both the Canadian
and the World Council of Churches, mother
of four, grandmother of twelve, and great-
grandmother of one.

Read more from Wikipedia:
http://tinyurl.com/mstq5a2

--

Author's Words:

(At a significant ecumenical event for me)
I started to wonder if my own grandkids
knew or even cared about the rich legacy
some of my friends had contributed to the
practice of justice and peace from our faith
community. It prompted me to think about
my own legacy. Did I have any insights
about aging or faith to pass on to younger
generations?...

I had a conversation with my daughter Jean
about a possible book I might write about
aging and death, She suggested that one
of my particular strengths, in her view, was
my grounding in and knowledge of the Biblical
text. Lots of people would have perspectives
to share about aging, but she thought that if
I focused on Biblical texts, I might make a
more lasting contribution. Then we got to
talking about the significance of Biblical
passages, chosen for loved ones' funeral
services.

(I would often make notes in my marked-up
Bible about the person who had died and the
scripture text(s) used at their memorial.)

It was my way of remembering my life and
legacy every time I read that passage...

Although I am no Biblical scholar, I know the
texts of the Hebrew and Greek Bible. (I
consulted with my daughter Jean, who is a
professor of comparative literature, about
discerning the meaning of texts.)

We decided that I would identify each of
these people to the reader by presenting a
greatly condensed biography of their life;
set them in their historical context; relate
the scriptural texts used at their funeral to
the work and witness of the person I had
known; and then wrestle with the scriptural
texts in such a way that they were seen
to critique the world we have, as well as to
create new possibilities for the world we
would like to have. What could we learn from
them? The point would not be to focus on
what the intended meaning of the text was
for the person who chose it, but to consider
what meaning we can derive from it for our
witness today...

I was reminded of how N.T. Wright, in
his book "How God Became King" writes:

"Those who have gone before us include,
especially, those who have lived, suffered,
and died, and bear witness to Jesus as the
world's true Lord, over against the other
"lords" that try to claim our allegiance."

{This "communion of saints" in each
generation, joined to those who have gone
before and filled them with light, became
a golden chain, in which each saint is a
separate link, united to the next by faith
and works and love. So, in the one God
they form a single chain which cannot
quickly be broken.)

I have grouped the articles around the
themes of Justice; Resurrection;
Transformation; Church and World.

You are invited to join me in my discoveries
about our common Christian life and legacy.

- from the Introduction

--

My Thoughts:

I have attended quite a few funeral and
memorial services myself, especially as
I have grown older and the reality of
what happens to all life becomes more
real for me. I tend to pay more attention
to what goes on and what is said than
I did when I was a young pastor.

Some services tend to focus almost
exclusively on remembrance of the
deceased. Some seem to focus almost
entirely on the funeral liturgy of a
particular tradition, or on scriptural
cliches with hardly any reference
to the deceased. I find both practices
short-shrift the possibilities of what
might happen at such an important
event.  We have the opportunity to
both remember how the eternal
Christian values have been reflected
in the life of the person who is most
in our minds at that time. We also have
an opportunity to bring the rich and
hope-filled truths of our Biblical
heritage to bear upon this event.

We often seem to ignore those who
have gathered and what they are
really needing to experience at this
important time. Saying that the
deceased was a good person or that
the church's traditional teachings and
practices make us a better community
is really not good enough.

Delicately blending remembrance and
the hope of life beyond life we have
as Christians - is the important challenge
of any who would accept the task of leading
or attending an event at such a time as this.

--

In this book, Wilson tells the story
of forty key people in her life at
whose funeral or memorial services
she participated in various capacities.

For each one she weaves a meaningful
biography and scriptural web that
help us better understand the person
being recognized and the faith that
person espoused.

In our secular society, I believe many
people are searching and in need of
experiencing that important blend.

We need inspiration to make this world
a better place. We also need to know
that Jesus "has prepared a place for us."

I was particularly struck by what Lois
had to say about people we knew in
common (even though she probably
knew them much better than I.)

Her reflections on Garth Legge, Byers
Naude, Clifford Elliott, Katherine Hockin,
and Ted Scott (to name a few) brought
out important discoveries and reasons
for the hope that lay within them that
I am grateful to know more about.

It takes a person of deep faith and
experience to write short pieces like
this and I believe this book would
serve as a helpful guide to sermon/
homily/or reflection preparation.
 
The value of this book encompasses
many of our denominational traditions.

It will also offer the person in the pew
a chance to recover an important balance
between remembrance and hope that I
believe many are looking for today.

Buy the Book from the Author:
6canoe@gmail.com
Discuss best way to get your copy

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

LORNA DUECK
Toronto, ON

Oct. 19th, 2014

Thanks Wayne. I was helped by your
Martin Marty clip on "Lila" and all the
great links on it.   I'm interviewing
Marilynne Robinson on Friday so this
was a good short cut for my research.
http://tinyurl.com/nvvv6gg

Take care, and thank you.

Lorna

Editor's Note: Lorna is both a national and
international social commentator who writes
with an enlightened Christian perspective.
Located in Toronto, she frequently appears
in the Globe and Mail, on TV and the internet.

See her website -

"Context - Life Beyond the Headlines"
http://www.contextwithlornadueck.com/

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

JAMES M. WALL
Chicago, IL

Wallwritings
October 23rd, 2014

"Listen to this Irish Senator"
  An Appeal to American Leaders
  For a Two-State Solution in Israel

http://tinyurl.com/k8nzuxn

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

Web Log
October 22nd, 2014

"The Ways We Respond to Stress"
  http://tinyurl.com/obvfxub

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

Personal Web Site
October 20th, 2014


"The Goddess of Chastity"
  http://tinyurl.com/ozq7v97


--

MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, IL

Sightings
October 20th, 2014

"Religion Unites and Divides"
  http://tinyurl.com/m465dmz

--

MICHAEL W. HIGGINS
Fairfield. CT.

Globe and Mail
October 21st, 2014

"Ripples of a Living Church"
  http://tinyurl.com/lqv8mex
 

*****

NET NOTES

GUNMAN PANICS OTTAWA
Terrorist Jars All Canada

New York Times
October 23rd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/qchdblm

--

PRAYERS FOR PEACE IN OTTAWA
Anglican Primate Calls for Prayers
Public Justice Advocacy Group Reports

Anglican Church of Canada and
Citizens for Public Justice Update
October 22nd and 23rd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/p8rn7hf
http://tinyurl.com/kcrqwx5

"The Gun Conversation
We Need to Have"
Comment from the USA

Sojourners Online
October 23rd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/o868kuq

"Leaders Reflect on the Tragedy"

Anglican Journal
October 23rd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/k6eddvp

"Where Did the Terrorist Get His Gun?
  Canadian Laws Prevent Legal Acquisition"

CBC News
October 24th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/p3wuny8

--

POPE FRANCIS TO VISIT TURKEY
Inter-faith Itinerary Just Published

Catholic News Service
October 21st, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/nyq3nwe

--

FIVE TRENDS OF THE USA UNCHURCHED
Continuing Tendency to Secularization

The Barna Group
October, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/qfdw9p2

"American Mainline Decline
  May be Slowing Down with
  Internal Conflicts Lessening"

The Christian Post
October 20th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/mle6rww

--

A PAULINE CASE FOR
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Mennonite Pastor Offers
a Second Look at I Cor. 7

The Christian Century
October 20th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/l5d3mus

--

VATICAN BOY'S CLUB NEEDS
TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE
Female Columnist Speaks
Bluntly About Curia

National Catholic Reporter
October 22nd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/llysfhj

--

ASTRONAUT CHRIS HADFIELD'S
AMAZING PHOTOS FROM SPACE

The Guardian, UK
October 20th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/leeelu8

--

WHAT IF AMERICA HAD
CANADA'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
An Helpful Comparison

The Atlantic Online
October 21st, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/msfbbr8

--

LOREN MEAD ON THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
Alban Institute Founder Reflects

Alban.org
October 20th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/ososclh

--

DEATH SENTENCE UPHELD FOR
PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN WOMAN
Asia Bibi Still Guilty of Blasphemy

America Magazine
October 17th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/ppsqzo8

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners
and Bruderhof online:

Peace demands the most heroic labor and
the most difficult sacrifice. It demands
greater heroism than war. It demands greater
fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect
purity of conscience.

- Thomas Merton

--

Hope is a state of mind, not of the world.
Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is
not the same as joy that things are going
well, or willingness to invest in enterprises
that are obviously heading for success, but
rather an ability to work for something
because it is good.

- Vaclav Havel

--

Try walking around with a child who’s going,
“Wow, wow! Look at that dirty dog! Look at
that burned-down house! Look at that red sky.”
And the child points and you look, and you see,
and you start going, “Wow! Look at that huge
crazy hedge! Look at that teeny little baby!
Look at the scary dark cloud!” I think this is
how we are supposed to be in the world –
present and in awe.”

- Anne Lamott

--

The great leaders of the people of God, like
Moses, have always left room for doubt. You
must leave room for the Lord, not for our
certainties; we must be humble.

- Pope Francis

--

We cannot live in a world that is interpreted
for us by others. An interpreted world is not
a hope. Part of the terror is to take back our
own listening. To use our own voice. To see
our own light.

- Hildegard of Bingen

*****

ON THIS DAY

Oct 18th - 25th

From the Archives of the New York Times

Canadian Crisis in Perspective -
"Terrorists Hit Americans in Beirut"
  http://tinyurl.com/k979en8

"Edison Invents Electric Light"
  http://tinyurl.com/mxn27c2

"UN Charter Takes Effect"
  http://tinyurl.com/lj2jyv7

"UN Votes to Admit China, Expel Taiwan"
  http://tinyurl.com/mwvjlat


*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

We are not to simply bandage the wounds of
victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are
to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

(end)

*****

Fall 2014 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary:

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY (Ten Weeks)
September 15th - November 24th
7-00-9:00PM TM Room
(Thanksgiving Day exempted)

"A Fair Country" by John Ralston Saul
   http://tinyurl.com/pvs5e3w

"Medicine Walk" by  Richard Wagamese
  http://tinyurl.com/o95nho4

Led by Jock McTavish and Wayne Holst


Link to study:
http://tinyurl.com/kkca8rp

--

MONDAY NIGHT 'BOOKEND EVENT'
December 1st
7:00-9:15PM TM Room
Sponsored by the Bible Study Group

"From Jesus to Christ" -
  How Jesus Became God

  by Bart Ehrmann
  A PBS Video Series  - Part Two
  (total of two hours in length)

http://tinyurl.com/iedt

Hospitality and discussion

Led by Jock McTavish and Wayne Holst

All welcome. Hospitality donation only

--

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
(Twelve Weeks)

September 18th - December 4th
10:00-11:00AM TM Room

"From Jesus to Christ IV -
  A Study of the Book of Acts"

Led by Wayne Holst
 
No charge.


Study resource -
The DK Complete Bible Handbook
http://tinyurl.com/odxlv7q

--

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY CENTRE

Interfaith Chaplains' Book Studies
For faculty, students, staff, campus guests -

Fall 2014

Native Centre Board Room
McEwan Student Centre


Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21
(six sessions)

"Everything Belongs:
 The Gift of Contemplative Prayer"
  by Richard Rohr.

http://tinyurl.com/luljvww
http://tinyurl.com/ntxcp2v

Participants are encouraged to attend
all six sessions. However, you may attend
one or more sessions on a drop-in basis.

Book cost $15.00

*****
  





Saturday, October 18, 2014

Colleagues List, October, 19th, 2014

Vol. X.  No. 11

*****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net

Colleagues List Web Site:

http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

"Quicklinks" are included with many items
at the beginning of this issue. To get a more
complete picture, however, scroll down to
find your special selection in the body of
the blog. 

Note that not all items here have links.


*****


Dear Friends:

I appreciated the response to my
Canadian Thanksgiving reflection
in last week's Colleagues List. An
opportunity to write about my
gratitude for life is important to me.

This week, my Special Item is a
book notice for a title noted here 
before:

"The Emerging Church: Revised and
Expanded - A Model for Change and
a Map for Renewal" (second edition)

- by Canadian writer Bruce Sanguin.
It is a title I hope you will consider.
http://tinyurl.com/lnzyjpf
http://tinyurl.com/lymw3qh

--

Colleague Comments - this week are
from Marjorie Gibson (Vancouver)
Isabel Gibson (Ottawa) and Elfrieda
Schroeder (Winnipeg) and I thank
all three of you for writing.

Please scroll down to read their notes.

--

Colleague Contributions - are from
three of our regular columnists:

Martin Marty (Chicago) who writes
about "Lila" the new book by writer/
theologian Marilyyne Robinson -
http://tinyurl.com/nvvv6gg

Jim Taylor (Okanagan) who discusses
protest movements -
http://tinyurl.com/kudd9w5 (and)

Ron Rolheiser (San Antonio) who reflects
on "The Unhappy Cost of Resentment" -
http://tinyurl.com/nludfb9 

--

Net Notes:

"Keeping the Faith" - read about how
childhood practices at church influence
future church-going as adults
(The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/qhfkpvk

"Listening to Ebola" - an editorial call
for international solidarity against a
dreaded adversary (America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/mqkyyyj

"Irrational Atheism" - an interesting
article on how atheism is based on
more than intellectual dissent
(The Atlantic Online)
 http://tinyurl.com/lsd3sk9

"Americans and Fitness" - a craze
that has addicted many is described
(The New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/nfe4rcr

"Allah" Not Exclusive to Islam" -
in Malaysia, debate over the use
of "Allah" involves many faiths,
and not Muslims only
(The Malaysia Insider)
http://tinyurl.com/o8qu57m

"Vatican's New Merciful Stance" -
- conflicting messages on the
gay and divorce issues were coming
from the bishop's synod in Rome
this week, but many remain hopeful
that a corner has been turned
(Atlantic, and National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/kjvx7zr
http://tinyurl.com/klcbkpd

"Yancey Addresses Korean Church Crisis" -
Philip Yancey was in Korea last week trying
to calm Christians there who have been
deeply troubled by church scandals
(Korean Mission Life Website)
http://tinyurl.com/mjumysx

"Canadians Share Reasons to be Thankful" -
many Canadians take time to reflect on their
blessings, even though Thanksgiving is
not a religious holiday (CTV News)
http://tinyurl.com/l76wq6o

"The Jesuits - From Ignatius to the Present" -
a good read, among many, on the subject
of the Jesuit order and its stormy history
(The Tablet, UK) http://tinyurl.com/mdtah2t

"Hong Kong Anglican Bishop Calls for Dialogue" -
church leaders are making their voices heard
on the freedom demonstrations and unrest there
(The Christian Post) http://tinyurl.com/oakokow

--

Wisdom of the Week:

- is provided through Sojourners and
Bruderhof online -

Mahatma Gandhi, Oscar Romero and
St. Augustine share insights with us.

--

On This Day:

- coming from the archives of
the New York Times tell us of
events as they were taking place -

"China Detonates Its First Atomic Bomb"
http://tinyurl.com/luzaf3p

"Martin Luther King Awarded Nobel Peace Prize"
http://tinyurl.com/k4rh4ee

--

Closing Thought - Jean Vanier completes
this issue for us. Please scroll down.

(end)

Fall 2014 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary

Note the programs at the end of this
mailing.
  
*****

SPECIAL ITEM

Book Notice -

THE EMERGING CHURCH
A Model for Change and Renewal
Revised and Expanded
by Bruce Sanguin
Copperhouse/Woodlake
2014. 238 pages.
$21.95 CAD Paper $13.50 CAD Kindle
ISBN #978-1-77064-679-7.

(originally published in 2008 and
  introduced on Colleagues List
  April 24th, 2010)

Publisher's Promo:

Realizing the importance of creating a
practical guide for both ministers and
congregations seeking to shift their
congregational culture towards a
progressive form of Christianity, Bruce
Sanguin grounds The Emerging Church
in his own experience as a way to establish
context and to share real-life examples.

At the same time, he peppers the book with
insights from leading edge science, including
the science of emergence, chaos theory,
quantum physics, field theory, spiral dynamics,
and evolutionary science.

In this newly revised and expanded edition
of The Emerging Church, Bruce Sanguin
continues his exploration of the characteristics
of emerging, evolutionary-driven congregations
that provides updated guidelines and advice to
those seeking to effect evolutionary change in
their own contexts.

--

Author's Words:

I want our churches to be fully alive. In John's
gospel, Jesus is reported to have said he came
to bring abundant life. You can measure the
health of a congregation using this criterion -
where are the signs of life?

Almost 25 years ago, an itinerate evangelist
persuaded me Jesus was the way, the truth,
and the life. So I took the plunge and asked
Christ to break open my heart. My life has
never been the same. I've since shed the beliefs
associated with my evangelist friend, but not
the heart-breaking, heart-healing that turned
my life upside down.

(I have also since served the church for twenty
years as an ordained minister.)

I want our congregations to be full of zest
and centres of authenticity, vitality, and
creativity...

I want to be with others who are animated
by this sacred current...

Many congregations have formed some bad
habits that now get in the way of creative
abundance...

In the mainline church, we have lost the
practice of prayer and replaced it with
programs that aren't necessarily related to
a clear mission and vision...

I've heard it said that we in Canada are
in the business of making nice people even
nicer, when in fact our congregations are
looking for Holy Spirit creativity...

The good news is that bad habits are
possible to break!

In my corner of the world, the public has
metaphorically fired the mainline church.
They have sent a message saying they will
no longer be needing our services, thank you
very much - at least the way we have been
delivering them.

(We need to follow a new paradigm that
connects again with people today.)

(I have been influenced by theologians
like Matthew Fox, and geologians like
Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry. They
have introduced me to an evolutionary
paradigm that invites us to be in
conversation with scientific culture and
and to look at the evolving life of our
congregations through both a biblical
and a scientific lens... Christians in the
twenty-first century need to be both
biblically and scientifically literate.)

That said, I intend this book to be a
practical model for congregational-
culture shifting. I offer a map of some
of the principles that have helped me to
open the gates of life and love in the
congregations I have served. This map
is, itself, an evolving reality...

I write this book for church leaders,
both lay and clergy, who are ready to
act as guides on this journey of
congregational renewal.

(I believe that my model can be used
creatively in urban and rural settings.
This model needs neither paid clergy
nor a building within which to work.)

I hope this book helps your congregation
live up to its high and holy calling.

--

My Thoughts:

I have introduced here the original edition
of "The Emerging Church" more than four
years ago.
 
http://tinyurl.com/l9xge5p
http://tinyurl.com/ltlhu8s

Now, I am re-introducing it to build on
the background already begun. I do
this because I am committed to renewal
in the old Canadian mainline churches.

In my first notice of this book I stated that
there were two things I liked about it.

First, the richness of the spiritual
resources inherent within the mainline
churches. This, in spite of the fact that
the ways we have come to reflect that
heritage has lost touch with many people
today. We need to mine our traditions
for richness but find better paradigms
or models, and creative new ways of
presenting them. 

Second, the ability of the author to be
conversant in the thought and paradigm
understandings of modern science. We
need new ways of integrating our
spirituality with modern science in order
to speak the language of many today.

Sanguin uses an evolutionary paradigm,
borrowed from modern science, to help
the church rediscover a meaningful message.

A third ingredient is added in this new
edition. Sanguin inserts a chapter (#11)
through which he adds principles of
practical operation in a congregation
to help bring about the renewal he
desires.

He advises that we listen for signs of
emergence and pay attention to our language
so that we share honestly the Word through
the words we use.

He suggests we work on exemplifying or
embodying the meaning we want to share,
build up various spaces - both internal and
external - that are there to be filled, be
willing to fail bravely and to learn from our
mistakes, to see crises as opportunities,
to take responsibility for our efforts and
to surrender to the grace we will be offered
as we venture forth.

Sangin writes well, if not always with
simplicity. But the subject matter is
meaty and worth the struggle.

--

Amazon Web Comment:

The author is a mainline United Church of
Canada minister with progressive views.
The book is about the change or 'progress'
that has occurred and is occurring in
religious values over time. He also tells
how he became a coach for leaders at his
church. He understands the environmental
problem, which many do not.

Emerging Church - is a term used elsewhere

for changes in fundamentalist churches or
small group Christianity outside a main
building, hence the misleading title.

If you are interested in a new approach

and are coming from a mainline religious
tradition this is a recommended book for you.

--

Buy the book:

From the publisher:
http://tinyurl.com/lnzyjpf

From Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/lymw3qh


*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENTS

MARJORIE GIBSON
Vancouver, BC

October 12th, 2014

Wayne - I am pleased that you chose to use
some of my work in your publication.  It is
certainly not for me to "push" it on my friends,
but if they find it useful, or interesting - I am
both pleased and encouraged. I miss you all. 
 
(see Holst Thanksgiving article -
  http://tinyurl.com/mejq3pd )

Thank you also for the update on your ongoing
encounter with cancer.  So far, so good - and
the odds are better now than when you were
first diagnosed.  One gets to the point where
it is a race.  Will our old bodies hang on until
our desire to live on is satisfied? When I was
diagnosed with early dementia- an old friend
of mine here said "Marj, you only have a handful
of years left to you.  The dementia will have to
hustle to get you before your years run out!"

That was when I was 90, and at 92 I now believe
that is true.  You are a lot younger than me, so
have more years in the race to cover.  However,
you have at least a "cured" diagnosis, even if it
is a "probably cured" one!  Good luck, and full
steam ahead. Love to you both, and my other
friends when you think of it.  

Marjorie.

--

ISABEL GIBSON
Ottawa, ON

October 11th, 2014

Wayne:

I'm surprised that you're coming up on
your 5-year cancer-free anniversary -
time does move along.

With your caveats about a "cure" noted,
I congratulate you both - not just on the
milestone but on your determination to live
in a state of gratitude, rather than entitlement.

May it be so for all of us.

Isabel
 
--
 
ELFRIEDA SCHROEDER
Winnipeg, MB

October 11th, 2014

Hi Wayne, 

Hardy and I enjoyed reading your blog again.
We hope and pray that all will be well and the
bladder polyps will prove to be benign. 

Hardy turned 77 this September and I turned 71
this May. We are enjoying our senior years and,
like you, I don't think either of us would say that
we wish our lives were over at age 75! However,
we are in good health and that makes a big
difference (Hardy is suffering hearing loss which
can be frustrating at times, but he has a good
hearing aid to help him). 

I have had my own reminiscences and reflections
about death and dying which I have written about
in my blog. Check it out if you are interested.
 

Elfrieda

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

MARTIN MARTY
Chicago IL

Sightings
October 13th, 2014

"Marilynne Robinson's 'Lila'"
  http://tinyurl.com/nvvv6gg

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okangan, BC

Web Log
October 15th, 2014

"Protest Movements"
  http://tinyurl.com/kudd9w5


--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

Personal Website
October 13th, 2014

"The Unhappy Cost of Resentment"
  http://tinyurl.com/nludfb9


*****

NET NOTES

KEEPING THE FAITH
Childhood Influences Churchgoing

The Atlantic Online
October 14th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/qhfkpvk

--

LISTENING TO EBOLA
Call for International Solidary

America Magazine
October 27th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/mqkyyyj

--

IRRATIONAL ATHEISM
Atheism Need Not Be Rational

The Atlantic Online
October 11th, 2014

 http://tinyurl.com/lsd3sk9

--

AMERICANS AND FITNESS
Movement Reaches Cult Status

New York Times
October 14th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/nfe4rcr

--

'ALLAH' NOT EXCLULSIVE TO ISLAM
Malaysian Debate, Broader Implications

Malaysian Insider
October 17th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/o8qu57m

--

THE VATICAN'S NEW MERCIFUL STANCE
Opposition to Gays, Divorcees Still Real
But Long-term Prospects are Good

The Atlantic Online
October 17th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/kjvx7zr

Synod Issues New Document
Reflecting Mercy, Listening

National Catholic Reporter
October 13th, 20124

http://tinyurl.com/klcbkpd

--

YANCEY ADDRESSES KOREAN CHURCH CRISIS
American Evangelical Author Offers Advice

Korean Mission Life Website
October 14th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/mjumysx

--

CANADIANS SHARE
REASONS TO BE THANKFUL
Annual Day of Thanksgiving
Includes Entire Nation

CTV News
October 11th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/l76wq6o

--

THE JESUITS:
FROM IGNATIUS TO THE PRESENT
The Order, Two Hundred Years
after Papal Restoration

The Tablet, UK
October 18th,2014

http://tinyurl.com/mdtah2t

--

HONG KONG ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP
CALLS FOR DIALOGUE
Attempt to Diffuse Crisis with China

The Christian Post
October 15th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/oakokow


*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners and Bruderhof online:

Poverty is the worst form of violence.

- Mahatma Gandhi

--

A church that doesn't provoke any crises, a
gospel that doesn't unsettle, a word of God
that doesn't get under anyone's skin, a word
of God that doesn't touch the real sin of the
society in which it is being proclaimed --
what gospel is that?
 
- Archbishop Oscar Romero


--

You never go away from us, yet we have
difficulty in returning to you. Come, Lord,
stir us up and call us back. Kindle and
seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness.
Let us love. Let us run.

- Augustine

*****

ON THIS DAY

Provided from archives of the New York Times

"China Detonates Its First Atomic Bomb"
   http://tinyurl.com/luzaf3p

"Martin Luther King Awarded Nobel Peace Prize"
  http://tinyurl.com/k4rh4ee

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - JEAN VANIER

Yes, in that broken child,
a light is shining;
in that man in prison,
a heart is beating;
in that woman, victim of prostitution,
there is a yearning for life;
in the rich and greedy person, seeking power,
there is a child of purity;
in that young man dying of AIDS,
there is the light of God;
in every person, no matter how broken,
sinful, hardened, dominating, or cruel,
there is a spring of water waiting to flow forth.

(end)

*****

Fall 2014 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary:

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY (Ten Weeks)
September 15th - November 24th
7-00-9:00PM TM Room
(Thanksgiving Day exempted)

"A Fair Country" by John Ralston Saul
   http://tinyurl.com/pvs5e3w

"Medicine Walk" by  Richard Wagamese
  http://tinyurl.com/o95nho4

Led by Jock McTavish and Wayne Holst


Link to study:
http://tinyurl.com/kkca8rp

--

MONDAY NIGHT 'BOOKEND EVENT'
December 1st
7:00-9:15PM TM Room
Sponsored by the Bible Study Group

"From Jesus to Christ" -
  How Jesus Became God
  A PBS Video Series  - Part Two
  (total of two hours in length)

http://tinyurl.com/iedt

Hospitality and discussion

Led by Jock McTavish and Wayne Holst

All welcome. Hospitality donation only

--

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
(Twelve Weeks)

September 18th - December 4th
10:00-11:00AM TM Room

"From Jesus to Christ III -
  A Study of the Book of Acts"

Led by Wayne Holst
 
No charge.


Study resource -
The DK Complete Bible Handbook
http://tinyurl.com/odxlv7q

--

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY CENTRE

Interfaith Chaplains' Book Studies
For faculty, students, staff, campus guests -

Fall 2014

Native Centre Board Room
McEwan Student Centre


Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21
(six sessions)

"Everything Belongs:
 The Gift of Contemplative Prayer"
  by Richard Rohr.

http://tinyurl.com/luljvww
http://tinyurl.com/ntxcp2v

Participants are encouraged to attend
all six sessions. However, you may attend
one or more sessions on a drop-in basis.

Book cost $15.00

*****