Vol. VIII No. 16
*****
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/b7raepl
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:
Welcome to the second issue of Colleagues List
for the New Year!
I begin with a book notice for an author
that I assume is familiar to many of you.
Anne Lamott writes:
"Help Thanks Wow Three Essential Prayers"
I hope you enjoy it.
http://tinyurl.com/aksfcjb
--
Colleague Contributions this week
are provided by;
Michael Higgins of Fairfield, CT
http://tinyurl.com/bdvz46x
http://tinyurl.com/b6hly4n
Jim Taylor of Okanagan, BC
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8
Martin Marty of Chicago, IL
http://tinyurl.com/b552o4w and
Ron Rolheiser of Austin TX
http://tinyurl.com/anfuzul
--
Net Notes:
"Obama's First Four Years" - here is a
beautiful picture story of the president's
first term in office (The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/aq5qnpw
"Religion Beyond the Pale" - an interesting
article on how American react to the appearance
of new public faiths like Mormonism and Islam
(Sightings) http://tinyurl.com/a29fs2h
"Culture War Over Delhi Rape" - India
continues to be roiled over the tragedy
than will probably change forever the
status of women in that society
(The Guardian) http://tinyurl.com/b9cfrer
"'Idle No More' a Complex Issue" -
this First Nations movement, not the first
nor likely the last in our history, needs
some unpacking (Christian Week online)
http://tinyurl.com/bxtmzcn
"UK Woman Wins Discrimination Case" -
an EU court rules in favor of a woman
who was discriminated against at work
because she wore a cross necklace (BBC)
http://tinyurl.com/d22kkj7
"Quest for Christian Unity Continues" -
every year in January, for as long as most
of us can remember, Canadian Christians have
prayed for church unity (Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/b4qmrz7
"Petrol Bombs Thrown in Belfast Riots" -
in a throwback to earlier, tragic times
for Ulster, riots are again being raged
in the capital city (The Guardian)
http://tinyurl.com/bgg76m5
"Why are Women More Religious than Men?" -
an interesting article that takes up the
subject of why women tend to be more loyal
church-attenders than men (The Tablet, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/b5mdwma
"Women Gradually Excluded from Priesthood" -
a study of ministry offices in the early
church which concludes that women rose
to leadership positions quickly but were
then repressed and removed by male leaders
(National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/a6h2q3j
--
Wisdom of the Week is offered by:
Augustine, Kelly Kelsey,
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin,
Dorothy Day and Mahatma Gandhi
--
On This Day:
Provided from the archives
of the New York Times -
Roosevelt and Churchill opened
a wartime conference in Casablanca.
http://tinyurl.com/b6cyby9
--
Closing Thought - Isabel Gibson
The second of twelve short articles.
Isabel's Blog "Traditional Iconoclast"
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/
--
Good wishes, for those in the northern climes,
as you settle into the winter season.
I feel blessed that all four of my courses
are running and that I am back to good health
and regular teaching once more.
Wayne
******
ST. DAVID'S AND UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
St. David's and ACTS Ministry Announce -
Our Spiritual Travelers Tour for 2013
TURKEY AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
LAST WEEK BEFORE FINAL SIGN-UP!
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 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
---
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
Series has begun!
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
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
and has begun:
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
COURSE BEGINS THIS WEEK!
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:
Book Notice:
HELP, THANKS, WOW
The Three Essential Prayers
by Anne Lamott
Riverhead Books, 2013
103 pages, $19.00 CAD.
ISBN #978-1-59463-129-0
Publisher's Promo:
Readers of all ages have followed and cherished
Anne Lamott’s funny and perceptive writing about
her own faith through decades of trial and error.
And in her new book, Help, Thanks, Wow, she has
coalesced everything she knows about prayer to
these fundamentals.
It is these three prayers – asking for assistance
from a higher power, appreciating what we have that
is good, and feeling awe at the world around us –
that can get us through the day and can show us the
way forward. In Help, Thanks, Wow, Lamott recounts
how she came to these insights, explains what they
mean to her and how they have helped, and explores
how others have embraced these same ideas.
Insightful and honest as only Anne Lamott can be,
Help, Thanks, Wow is the everyday faith book that
new Lamott readers will love and longtime Lamott
fans will treasure.
---
Author's Words:
I do not know much about God and prayer,
but I have come to believe, over the past
twenty-five years, that there is something
to be said about keeping prayer simple.
Help. Thanks. Wow.
You may in fact be wondering what I even
mean when I use the term "prayer." Its
certainly not what TV Christians mean.
It's not for display purposes like plastic
sushi or neon.
Prayer is private, even when we pray with
others. It is communication from the heart
to that which surpasses understanding.
Lt's say is is communication from one's
heart to God. Or if that is too triggering
or ludicrous a concept for you, to the
Good, the force that is beyond our
comprehension, but that in our pain
or supplication or relief we don't need
to define or have proof of or any
established contact with.
Let's say it is what the Greeks called
the Really Real, what lies within us,
beyond the scrim of our values, positions,
convictions or wounds. Or let us say it
is a cry from deep within to Life or
Love, with capital L's...
Let's not get bogged down with whom or
what we pray to. Let's just say prayer
is communication from our hearts to
the great mystery, or Goodness...
We could call this force Not Me, or Not
Preachers Onstage with a choir of 800.
Or for convenience we could just say "God."
Sometimes the first time we pray, we
cry out in the deepest desperation
"God Help Me..." Prayer is taking a
chance that against all odds and past
history, we are loved and chosen.
My three prayers are variations on
Help. Thanks. Wow. That's all I ever
need, besides the silence, the pain,
and the pause sufficient for me to
stop, close my eyes and turn inward.
- From her Prelude, Prayer 101,
or introductory comments.
---
My Thoughts:
For some years Anne Lamott has been
writing books with titles like 'Some
Assembly Required', 'Grace (Eventually)',
'Plan B,' and 'Travelling Mercies.' As
a penniless single mom, she began writing
to collect her thoughts and help her sort
out a very confused and conflicted life.
She got the attention of an editor who
risked publishing her street smart and
unorthodox way of writing about faith.
The rest, as they say, is history.
She has written novels with the
unlikely titles of 'Imperfect Birds'
and 'Rosie.'
A woman from California recently wrote
this letter to the editor of the New
York Times Review of Books:
(Your recent published interview with
Anne Lamott) reminded me that one of
her books changed my life. I read her
novel "Rosie" the day after the night
before, at the end of a long line
of embarrassing and humiliating drunken
nights. I was shocked to realize that
if this brilliant woman with whom I
had not much else in common was a drunk
who got sober, then by God I could too.
And I did, and it's lasted 27 years.
I think of her so fondly for unwittingly
being there for me at the perfect moment.
(Andie Reed, Grass Valley CA. Dec. 30/12)
---
Many people began to identify with her
plucky, stream of consciousness
writing. She has raised a son
and enjoyed caring for a grandchild
mainly with support from the money her
writings have earned her.
Although a past recipient of a
Guggenheim Fellowship and an inductee
into the California Hall of Fame, she
continues to live an ordinary life in
Northern California.
Theological or spiritual purists may
find her theology and spirituality a
bit off the wall. However, many regular
folk enjoy how she tells it like it is
and without any kind of presumption
whatsoever.
"Help. Thanks. Wow" the Three Essential
Prayers - does not exhaust the subject.
Nor does is deal with much about prayer
beyond the personal. But it serves as
a good starting point for many, and
a reminder to people like me that
my theological and spiritual refinements
may often be an escape from facing things
in life that I should be facing.
---
Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/aksfcjb
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
MICHAEL HIGGINS
Fairfield, CT
CBC Ideas
January 2012
Henri Nouwen
"Genius Born of Anguish" (Part One)
http://tinyurl.com/bdvz46x
--
CBC Ideas
January 2013
Henri Nouwen
"Genius Born of Anguish" (Part Two)
http://tinyurl.com/b6hly4n
***
JIM TAYLOR
Web Log
Jan. 16th, 2013
"Good Pastors Don't Flunk Their Failures"
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8
--
MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, Il.
Sightings
January 14th, 2013
"Gay Marriage Tidewater"
http://tinyurl.com/b552o4w
--
RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX
Personal Website
January 13th, 2013
"The Ineffability of God"
http://tinyurl.com/anfuzul
*****
NET NOTES
OBAMA'S FIRST FOUR YEARS
Celebrating First Term
The Atlantic
January 19th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/aq5qnpw
--
RELIGION BEYOND THE PALE
How America Views People
With 'New' Faiths
Sightings
January 17th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/a29fs2h
--
CULTURE WAR OVER DELHI RAPE
New Freedoms Clash With Anti-West Fears
The Guardian, UK
January 15th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b9cfrer
--
'IDLE NO MORE' A COMPLEX ISSUE
Aboriginal Issues Not Easily Resolved
Christian Week
January 11th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bxtmzcn
--
UK WOMAN WINS DISCRIMINATION CASE
Confronted for Wearing Cross at Work
BBC News
January 15th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/d22kkj7
--
QUEST FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY CONTINUES
Week of Prayer an Annual Reminder
Anglican Journal
January 18th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b4qmrz7
--
PETROL BOMBS THROWN IN BELFAST RIOTS
Unionists Challenge Flag Ruling
The Guardian, UK
January 15th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bgg76m5
--
WHY ARE WOMEN MORE RELIGIOUS THAN MEN?
The Tablet, UK
Jan. 19th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b5mdwma
--
WOMEN GRADUALLY EXCLUDED FROM PRIESTHOOD
Early Church Had Women Leaders
National Catholic Reporter
January 16th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/a6h2q3j
***
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners Online:
Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.
- Augustine
--
If we see ourselves as all cells of one
body, then the health and well-being of
the whole clearly depends upon each one
of us contributing our unique gifts to
the healing of the human family.
- Kelley Kelsey
--
Humanity has learned to harness the power
of the tides and the sun and the moon.
Someday in the future, humanity will learn
to harness the power of love, and for the
second time in history, we will discover
fire.
- Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
--
As we come to know the seriousness of the
situation, the war, the racism, the poverty
in our world, we come to realize that
things will not be changed simply bywords
or demonstrations. Rather, it's a question
of living one's life in a drastically
different way.
- Dorothy Day
--
He who does not see God in the next person
he meets need look no further.
- Mahatma Gandhi
*****
ON THIS DAY
Provided by the New York Times
January 14th - 19th
President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill opened a wartime conference
in Casablanca.
http://tinyurl.com/b6cyby9
---
CLOSING THOUGHT by Isabel Gibson
Short reflections. Gift #2
'The Gift of Realism'
Good, fast, cheap: Pick two.
Who says you can't have it all? Well,
apparently software developers do, and
good for them. This short injunction
neatly sums up the real but often
unacknowledged trade-offs in the
performance/schedule/cost world of
project management.
Would that more managers understood/admitted it...
Isabel's Blog:
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/
(end)
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