Vol. VIII No. 13
*****
CHRISTMAS EDITION
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net
*****
Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com
Canadian Anglicans Googlegroups:
http://tinyurl.com/c738v6w
Now "Quicklinks" are included with many items.
Otherwise, scroll down to find your selection
in the body of the blog, as in the past.
*****
Dear Colleagues:
It has been a tradition to share our
"Holst Family Christmas Letter" in
our Christmas edition of Colleagues List
and this year is no exception.
--
Our Colleague Contribution this week is an
Interfaith Holiday Greeting from Marjorie
Gibson of Vancouver.
Marjorie was for many years a member of
St. David's United Church in Calgary.
After her husband Sheldon died she moved to
the coast to be close to a daughter and family
who practice the Jewish faith.
http://www.marjorieremembers.com/?p=268
--
Net Notes:
"Newtown Tragedy (comment)" -
I share three perspectives from
Atlantic Online, John Stackhouse Jr.
and the people of Sightings, Chicago.
http://tinyurl.com/c6xwgt4
http://tinyurl.com/bpcbkqq
http://tinyurl.com/d93dpjh
"Jesus of Nazareth (review)" - Last
week I introduced the pope's new
book "Jesus of Nazareth - the Infancy
Narratives." Here is a review from
National Catholic Reporter and
The Tablet, UK
http://tinyurl.com/c2kh7gp
http://tinyurl.com/cnfahxm
Les Miserables (the movie) - A
film version of the famous book
by Victor Hugo (also a very successful
musical will appear on Christmas Day.
Here is an introduction from the
National Catholic Reporter.
http://ncronline.org/node/41741
"Polling Religion in Canada" -
Here are recent discoveries about
the nature of religion in Canada.
We are an increasingly secular nation
(The National Post)
http://tinyurl.com/blmggve
"Britons Ignorant of Nativity" -
from an even more secularized nation
we get an insight into where we may
also be heading (The Telegraph, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/cjc4nm7
"Mohawk Saint Canonized in Rome" - while
Tekakwitha is officially ad Catholic
Canadian saint, members of her nation
from the Anglican communion were also
present in Rome for official ceremonies
(Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/cs4tjhm
"Decline of Evangelical America" - the
author of this article appeared last
Sunday. He gives an "insider" perspective
and a hopeful prescription (New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/cjsf7wz
"Faith is not a Crutch but a Burden" - the
author of this article believes that people
of faith must make a choice and then assume
a burden (The Catholic Herald, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/cuks2y6
"China Deeply Suspicious of Religion" -
largely because of their experience with
religion, Chinese leaders are suspicious
of it (The Washington Post)
http://tinyurl.com/cnfv9w9
--
Wisdom of the Week:
Provided by Sojourners Online -
Thomas Hardy, Alfred Lord Tennyson,
Desmond Tutu, Helen Keller and
Susan Coolidge share their insights.
--
On This Day:
From the archives of the
New York Times:
Wright Brothers Successful Flight
http://tinyurl.com/c3xymsy
Plane Crashes into Scottish Town
http://tinyurl.com/btn2d8d
--
Closing Thought:
My favorite American poet
shares one of his famous pieces
during an "apocalyptic week" -
"Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost
***
May your Holiday Season be
a time of joy and delight.
Wayne
********************************
St. David's and ACTS Ministry Announce:
Our Spiritual Travelers Tour for 2013
TURKEY AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
April 23rd - May 9th, 2013
Tour sale requires a $300 deposit, with
full payment due, and of January, 2013.
Our major tour themes are: Classic Greek and Roman,
Early Christian, Muslim-Christian and the beautiful
scenery of the Mediterranian 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
---
Details such as costs and prep notes have been
edited into a beautiful travel brochure. This
was just sent to all who have thus far expressed
interest. If you are interested, let us know!
The brochure will also be posted to the St.
David's Spiritual Travelers Discussion List Group.
which is your place to express yourself!
To join this unique internet discussion contact:
Deb. Charnusaki - debcharnuski@hotmail.com
Your tour hosts:
Marlene and Wayne Holst
waholst@telusplanet.net (or)
marleneaholst@gmail.com
403-286-7416
*****
OUR WINTER AND SPRING 2013 PROGRAMS
With more to be announced -
AT ST.DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH
"WELCOMING THE STRANGER" WEEKEND AT ST. DAVID'S
Friday March 1st - Sunday, March 3rd (confirmed)
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.
*****
MONDAY NIGHT STUDY
From Monday, January 14th
thru Monday, March 26th.
7:00 -9:00 PM TM Room.
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
The course and books are now
on sale at the church lobby.
*****
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Begins Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Theme:
"'Wisdom' in the Biblical Literature"
A six week series running through
the winter. 10-11 AM
All welcome. No cost.
*****
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
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
---
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
HOLST FAMILY LETTER
Calgary, Alberta
Christmas, 2012
Dear Colleagues:
2012 was a year of highs and lows in our
family life, but fortunately, we come to
the end of these twelve months with lots
for which to celebrate.
This was the year that both Marlene and
Wayne now live primarily on their pensions!
It has been so for Wayne for a few years but
Marlene made the transition in 2012. Happily,
this transition has been rather painless, and
we are able to enjoy about the same lifestyle
we did while drawing salaries!
We welcomed Owen Hamm (from Carmen and Mark)
and Dane Lukan (from Sarah and Ronnie) into
the family this year. We await another grandson
from Paul and Heather in early 2013. That means
three sets of very special brother/sister
combination grandchildren – a rather unique
arrangement for us. We suppose this means we
are a “well-balanced” family.
Wayne continues to work at the university and
the church. That helps with our financial bottom
line. Marlene is now fully on pension, and has
more available time for our grandchildren. She
was confronted with additional work helping
Wayne through an unexpected health challenge
lasting several months. A nasty infection
developed during the early summer - after he
thought he had come to the end of his health
ordeal of the year 2000. While unrelated to
cancer per se, the resulting abscess in his
abdomen proved difficult indeed. After some
months of sorting out the real culprit surgery
was again required, but this seems to have
solved the problem. His recovery to health
has taken place amazingly well.
Marlene had to look after Wayne’s yard work
this year, but he did put up the outdoor
Christmas lights as usual and is very grateful
that he can again return to tend to his share
of life responsibilities.
We spent four weeks in the North Eastern USA
during the month of May - visiting 13 states
and spending considerable time in Boston,
New York, Philadelphia and Washington. That
region was new for Marlene and a return to
places familiar to Wayne early in his career.
It was most interesting to consider changes
and similarities after a three decade absence
for him.
In 2013 we plan to host another St. David’s
Spiritual Travelers Tour - this time to
western Turkey. We enjoy working with Rostad
Tours of Calgary - this time engaging Classic,
Christian and Islamic aspects of a beautiful
land.
Both of our parents are now many years departed
from our lives – but we remember them fondly.
We try to be good examples to the family that
both surrounds and follows after us. University,
church, and family are the three pivotal parts
of our lives. All proved to be most supportive
of us through 2012 and we look forward to the
New Year with hope and anticipation.
A blessed Christmas and New Year celebration
to you and those you love!
Marlene and Wayne
--
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTION
MARJORIE GIBSON
Vancouver, BC
Season's Greetings from a
Jewish and Christian Family
http://www.marjorieremembers.com/?p=268
--
NET NOTES
THE NEWTOWN TRAGEDY
Several Perspectives -
MOURNING IN NEWTOWN
Atlantic Online Slideshow
December 21st, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/c6xwgt4
--
SORROW, PITY, AND SANDY HOOK SCHOOL
A Woman Judge Expresses Her Views
Sightings,
December 20th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/bpcbkqq
--
EVIL ENCORE
John Stackhouse Weblog
December 20th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/d93dpjh
---
JESUS OF NAZARETH
The Infancy Narratives
by Joseph Ratzinger
Pope's New Book Reviewed/Introduced by -
The Tablet, UK
December 22nd, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cdpftu7
National Catholic Reporter
November 25th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/c2kh7gp
---
LES MISERABLES
Movie Out Christmas Day
National Catholic Reporter
December 22nd, 2012
http://ncronline.org/node/41741
---
POLLING RELIGION IN CANADA
Spiritual, Not Religious
National Post
Dec. 21st, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/blmggve
---
BRITONS IGNORANT OF NATIVITY
Secularization Takes its Toll
The Telegraph,
December 17th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cjc4nm7
---
MOHAWK SAINT TEKAKWITHA CANONIZED
Anglican Parish in Rome for Ceremony
Anglican Journal
December 21st, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cs4tjhm
---
THE DECLINE OF EVANGELICAL AMERICA
Internal Assessment and Prescription
New York Times
December 16th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cjsf7wz
---
FAITH IS NOT A CRUTCH - BUT A BURDEN
Living True Christianity Not Easy
(An English Catholic Perspective)
The Catholic Herald, UK
December 17th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cuks2y6
--
CHINA DEEPLY SUSPICIOUS OF RELIGION
Documents Reveal Leaders True Stance
Washington Post,
December 18th, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/cnfv9w9
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners Online:
'Peace upon earth!' was said. We sing it,
and pay a million priests to bring it.
After two thousand years of mass we've
got as far as poison-gas.
- Thomas Hardy
--
If thou shouldst never see my face again,
pray for my soul. More things are wrought
by prayer than this world dreams of.
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
--
I don't preach a social gospel;
I preach the gospel, period.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
is concerned for the whole person.
When people were hungry, Jesus didn't
say, 'Now is that political or social?'
He said, 'I feed you.' Because the good
news to a hungry person is bread.
- Desmond Tutu
--
Although the world is full of suffering,
it is full also of the overcoming of it.
- Helen Keller
--
And God, who studies esach separate soul,
out of commonplace lives makes his beautiful
whole.
- Susan Coolidge
*****
ON THIS DAY
From the archives of
The New York Times
Dec. 16th - 23rd
Wright Brothers Make Successful Flight
http://tinyurl.com/c3xymsy
Plane Crashes into Scottish Town
258 Persons Killed in Terrorist Attack
http://tinyurl.com/btn2d8d
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT
"Fire and Ice" by
Robert Frost
A fitting poem for the Mayan Apocalypse…
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
(end)
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