Colleagues List, December 9th, 2012

Vol. VIII No. 11

*****

Wayne A. Holst, Editor

My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net

*****

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

Canadian Anglicans Google Groups:
http://tinyurl.com/barhb89

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 Friends:

I would like to introduce to you a new
book from New World Library that has been
involved in the publishing of the complete
works of Joseph Campbell during the last
decade or more.

It is entitled "Mythic Imagination" and is
a collection of seven short stories by
Campbell during his early years as he was
shaping the nature of his life work.

These stories reflect thinking that
matured and developed with time.

I share a little about how Campbell
has influenced my own thinking too.

http://tinyurl.com/akhnw7g

--

This week, our Colleague Contributions
are from Martin Marty, Ron Rolheiser
and Jim Taylor - all of whose work we
have come to appreciate.

http://tinyurl.com/aroskqm
http://tinyurl.com/bjs9zy7
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8

--

Net Notes include:

"Handel Had a Helper" - here is an
interesting story about the person
who helped Handel bring his famous
"Messiah" to production (Reuters)
http://tinyurl.com/ap7kpnf

"Christian Century Picks" - for
Christmas, some special books,
music, and film suggestions
(The Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/akzglog

"Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue" - a
video update on rather significant
progress taking place in North
America between two major church
bodies (Catholic News Service)
http://tinyurl.com/aojdvl7

"Re-Imagining a Dying Church" -
here is an inspiring story of how
an old congregation is visioning
a new future (Christian Week)
http://tinyurl.com/ameoheo

"The Making of a Masterpiece" -
this is a review of a current book
on the creation of Leonardo's
famous painting, "The Last Supper"
(America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/bx8mnfe

"Anne Lamott - Help, Thanks, Wow!" -
the popular writer takes up the
subject of three kinds of prayer
(Englewood Review of Books)
http://tinyurl.com/bnkqfff

"Canada's Population Hits 35 Million" -
the nation continues to increase its
population, mainly through immigration
(Toronto Star) http://tinyurl.com/be35p6t

"NCR Supports the Ordination of Women" -
amid all the current debate, a major US
Catholic journal has just come out in
support of the ordination of Catholic
women (National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/av8vhsx

"More Biblical Scholars Needed in China" -
as the church in China emerges, a very
important need is for quality trained
biblical theologians (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/a5jw6e7

"Boy Scouts Drop "God" from Pledge in UK" -
the venerable institution, founded in
England has just made a major policy
change (The Daily Mail, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/bd7jnkw

--

Wisdom of the Week is provided by -

Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Roman Emperor Julian,
Catherine of Sienna, Susan Ross and N.T. Wright

--

On This Day:

Week of December 2nd-8th

Read the following stories as they happened
and were reported in the New York Times:

Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
http://tinyurl.com/atzkcnd

Gas Leak in Bhopal, India
http://tinyurl.com/aedaugw

My Closing Thought this week is by
Nicolas of Cusa with commentary by
Matthew Fox.

I hope your Christmas preparations
are coming along well. Our's are.

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

MYTHIC IMAGINATION
Collected Short Fiction
by Joseph Campbell
New World Library, Nov. 2012
Hardcover, 288 pages. $24.95 US
ISBV # 978-1-60868-153-2

Publisher's Promo:

Collected for the first time, Campbell's
fiction reveals a never-before-seen side
of the legendary mythologist...

Joseph Campbell studied one thing his
who life - narrative. Yet, that one
thing had, so to say, a thousand faces:
ancient myths, epic poems medieval
romances, timeless folktales, modern
novels - all were expressions of what
Campbell saw as humanity's "one great
story." .. He was also a masterful
storyteller, engaging, entertaining,
thought-provoking. It should come as
surprise then, that early in his
career as a student of story, he
should himself have turned to the
creating of his own.

Campbell's 1949 publication of "Hero
with a Thousand Faces"  shows how
Campbell was already exploring many
of the narrative and thematic ideas
that underpin his classic exploration
of the structure of hero tales from
around the world and across the ages.
He tells his stories, with explore all
of the classic themes of our modern
Western fiction - love, loss, yearning,
the struggle to conform, the desire to
break free - with a strong sense of
the psychological combined with a
resounding sense of the mythic.

"Mythic Imagination" will give longtime
and newer Campbell fans a fascinating
window into hhis innermost ideas.

Campbell is widely credited with bringing
mythology to a mass audience. His works,
including the four volume "The Masks of
God" and "The Power of Myth" (with Bill
Moyers) rank among the classics in
mythology and literature.

Editor's Words:

From his early teens, Campbell was a
conscientious diarist, recording and
analyzing the events of his own life -
bits of dialogue, interesting anecdotes,
disturbing dreams...

The seven stories in this volume were
all created during this period before
Campbell resolved that "comparative
mythology ... is to be my study."

His stories vary in setting and tone
from light and pastoral, to urban and
ironic, to college satire, a metaphysical/
psychological thriller, and a complex
morality tale - a metaphoric exploration
of the costs of modern civilization.

These works show Campbell exploring many
of the thematic and ideas found in the
classic study "The Hero with a Thousand
Faces" where he began to explore the
structure of hero tales from around the
world and across the ages.

As such, his writings were utterly out
of sync with his times - the American
fiction scene after World War II. It's
understandable that Campbell couldn't
find a publisher for his writing.

None but "Strictly Platonic" (published
here as an appendix) was ever previously
accepted for publication. All the other
stories in this collection are appearing
for the first time...

The hero has died in modern man; but as
eternal man - perfected, unspecific,
universal man - he has been reborn.

- David Kudler, Managing Editor

My Thoughts:

Joseph Campbell has been a mentor for me
for many years. He helped my develop an
understanding of biblical stories as facts
to sources of meaning. I have appreciated
the work of academic theologians who
focused on mythological meanings, but with
Campbell I found a student of human life
in all times and places.

Campbell has provided me with tools
to relate to people of other faiths
and to read their spiritual literature
with respect and attentiveness. He
had also helped me to relate to those
who claim no faith, but who appreciate
the value of human narrative.

Campbell made many transitions in his
own thinking in ways not unlike my own.
His encounters with the myths of the
First Nations of North America helped
to start a process that spread to many
cultures and traditions around the
world.

What a liberating feeling it has been
for me that I do not have to defend
the God of the Judeo-Christian
tradition against all the other
traditions!

I can continue to develop my faith
in Christ as Lord and Savior without
considering those outside my faith
tradition to be inferior, or lost.

Many people around the world share the
same basic stories I do and I can
learn from them as well as share
my faith story with them.

This book helps me, and I suspect
it will help you to understand how
Joseph Campbell was able to make
those first, important steps in
his own spiritual liberation.

Buy from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/akhnw7g

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, IL

Sightings,
Dec. 3rd, 2012

"Bob Bell's New American Christianity"
 http://tinyurl.com/aroskqm

--

RON ROLEISER
San Antonio, TX

Web Page

"Honouring Life's Complexity"
http://tinyurl.com/bjs9zy7

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

Web Log

"The Clergy Hot Line to God"
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8

*****

NET NOTES

HANDEL HAD A HELPER
Without Him, No "Messiah"

Reuters
Nov. 29th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/ap7kpnf

--

CHRISTIAN CENTURY PICKS
Books, Music and Film
for the Christmas Holidays

Christian Century
December 4th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/akzglog

--

CATHOLIC-ORTHODOX DIALOGUE
Remarkable Progress Reported

Catholic News Service
America Magazine Video
December 4th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/aojdvl7

--

RE-IMAGINING A DYING CHURCH
Decline Need Not be Fatal

Christianweek.org
December 4th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/ameoheo

--

THE MAKING OF A MASTERPIECE
Leonardo and the Last Supper

America Magazine
December 17th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/bx8mnfe

--

ANNE LAMOTT - HELP, THANKS, WOW!
The Three Kinds of Prayer

Englewood Review
December 6th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/bnkqfff

--

CANADA'S POPULATION HITS 35 MILLION

Toronto Star
Dec. 7th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/be35p6t

--

NCR SUPPORTS ORDINATION OF WOMEN
Considers it a Matter of Justice

National Catholic Reporter
December 3rd, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/av8vhsx

--

MORE BIBLE SCHOLARS NEEDED IN CHINA
Serious Lack of Expertise There

Uca News
Dec. 7th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/a5jw6e7

--

BOY SCOUTS DROP 'GOD' FROM PLEDGE
Decision to Accommodate Atheists

The Daily Mail, UK
December 4th, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/bd7jnkw

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners Online

"Those who would learn to serve must
first learn to think little of themselves.
Only those who live by the forgiveness of
their sin in Jesus Christ will think little
of themselves in the right way. They will
know that their own wisdom completely came
to an end when Christ forgave them.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

--

"The godless Galileans feed our poor
in addition to their own."

- Roman Emperor Julian, commenting on
the activities of the early church

--

To the true servant of God every place
is the right place and every time is
the right time.

- Catherine of Sienna

--

Jesus chose to be around small children
a number of times in his ministry, often
over the objections of his disciples.
Sometimes he seems to have done this
in order to hold children up as examples
of the childlike qualities that enable
God's Realm. But maybe, sometimes, he
just wanted to hold them.

- Susan Ross

--

To a nation bent on violence, anyone who
claims to be speaking for God's kingdom
and who advocates non-violent means as
the way to it is making a very deep and
dangerous political statement.

- N.T. Wright


*****

ON THIS DAY

Provided by the New York Times

December 6th
Japanese Planes Attack Pearl Harbour
http://tinyurl.com/atzkcnd

--

December 7th
Gas Leak in Bhopal India Kills 410
http://tinyurl.com/aedaugw

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT

Nicolas of Cusa -

Because in all speech divinity is
unexpressible, there can be no limits
to the means of expressing it.

Matthew Fox Comments -

Cusa acknowledges that God has no
proper name.  No word can properly
identify God.

On the other hand, everything is a
name for God. Everything and no thing.
All beings express Divinity and all
efforts can express Divinity.

Yet, all fall short as well.

(end)