Vol. VIII No. 19
*****
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net
*****
Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com
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:
Our special weekend on "Welcoming the Stranger"
with guest Mary Jo Leddy approaches. Three
weeks from now she will be with us.
My Special Item - this week is a book notice
from a subject area with which I was much
involved earlier in my life.
It is from the field of indigenous Canadian
studies and entitled -
"Disinherited Generations:
Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights
for First Nations Women and Their Descendants"
http://tinyurl.com/a2x597a
http://tinyurl.com/b3qhqcc
I am greatly encouraged by this book, and hope
that you might be as well.
--
Colleague Comment - this week comes from
Brian Arthur Brown whose work "Three Testaments -
Torah, Gospel and Quran" was introduced here
two weeks ago. See his comments, below.
--
Colleague Contribution - is provided by
Jim Taylor who is always interesting and
thought-provoking.
Web Log
Feb. 6th, 2013
"Critical Mass for Social Movements"
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8
--
Net Notes:
"In LA A Victory for Truth" - an RC
perspective on the conflict between two
archbishops in the diocese of Los Angeles
(National Catholic Reporter)
http://ncronline.org/node/44146
"The Ralph D. Winter Story" - a friend
going back early in my ministry, Ralph
passed away a few years ago. Now, a
biography appears (Books and Culture)
http://tinyurl.com/b4q2l8j
"Boxing Legend Nears His End" - the
famous black sportsman Muhammed Ali
seems to be nearing life's end
(The Mail, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/bfmpwjf
"Sorceress Burned Alive by Mob" -
tribal traditions do not die quickly
and here is an example from New
Guinea (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/az7soe6
"China: Persecution Getting Worse" -
the persecution of Christians in China,
especially in house churches, seems to
be growing (Vatican Insider)
http://tinyurl.com/axa7egz
"Dalits and Priests Bathe Together" -
the breaking of an ancient taboo is
described here from India (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/bzbgd33
"Saudi Preacher Gets Light Sentence" -
here is continuing evidence of family
sexism in the Arab world (Gulf News)
http://tinyurl.com/b2k2yx7
"Anglican Bishops Allow Women into Meetings"
- in a move to ease the way toward women
bishops in the Church of England, the House
of Bishops is allowing a select number of
women to join their discussions
(The Guardian, UK) http://tinyurl.com/avfoy7j
"Religious Ed. Under Fire Across Canada" -
Canada is making it harder for religious
schools to stay afloat says this article
(National Post) http://tinyurl.com/au5ls76
"Ethiopians Sever Ties With US Lutherans" -
A large African church, affiliated with the
Lutheran World Federation, has broken ties
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America because of its stance on same sex
marriage.
- see full text below as ELCA website is
not fully functioning on this story.
--
Wisdom of the Week:
John Muir, Dorothy Day, Rainer Maria Rilke
and Dom Helder Camara share their insights.
--
On this Day:
George VI Dies: Succeeded by Daughter
Elizabeth II Who Assumes British Throne
http://tinyurl.com/b85jj85
Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart
take first untethered spacewalk
http://tinyurl.com/avcr9pp
Clinton Tables Electronic Media Legislation
Says it Opens Door to Communications Future
http://tinyurl.com/be74csv
--
Closing Thought - Isabel Gibson
Once more, Isabel shares her thoughts
on clear thinking as parting wisdom:
http://tinyurl.com/aq9hmbc
Isabel's Blog:
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/
--
Blessings on your week.
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
DEADLINE FOR SIGN-UP HAS PAST! -
JANUARY 23RD.
26 people have paid to take the tour.
April 23rd - May 9th, 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
---
The tour book will include reflection pages
with the itinerary as well as answers to many
traveller's questions.
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
THIS SERIES HAS BEGUN!!
From Monday, January 14th
through 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
"Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs"
Thursday, January 17th - March 28th, 2013
THIS SERIES HAS BEGUN!!
Drop-ins welcome.
All welcome. No cost.
*****
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
THIS COURSE HAS BEGUN!!
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:
DISINHERITED GENERATIONS
Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights for
First Nations Women and Their Descendants,
by Nellie Carlson and Kathleen Steinhauer
as told to Linda Goyette.
University of Alberta Press, 2013.
172 pages. $24.95 CAD.
ISBN #-13-978-0-88864-642-2.
Publisher's Promo:
This oral autobiography of two remarkable
Cree women tells their life stories against
a backdrop of government discrimination,
First Nations activism, and the resurgence
of First Nations communities. Nellie Carlson
and Kathleen Steinhauer, who helped to organize
the Indian Rights for Indian Women movement in
western Canada in the 1960s, fought the Canadian
government’s interpretation of treaty and
Aboriginal rights, the Indian Act, and the
male power structure in their own communities
in pursuit of equal rights for Aboriginal women
and children. After decades of activism and
court battles, First Nations women succeeded
in changing these oppressive regulations, thus
benefitting thousands of their descendants.
Those interested in human rights, activism,
history, and Native Studies will find that
these personal stories, enriched by detailed
notes and photographs, form a passionate
record of an important, continuing struggle.
--
Tribute by Maria Campbell:
I arrived in Edmonton in 1963, not wanting to go
"home" to Saskatchewan because there was nothing
there on the reserve for me an my children. (Soon)
I became part of a warm, supportive (urban) native
community.
What stands out for me when I think back was that
sense of community we had and although many of us
were from different parts of the country, our
native roots bound us together and the differences
that were important and often hurtful at home,
were things that brought us together in the city...
There were people like Kathleen Steinhauer and
Nellie Carlson who were treaty Indians but who
had lost their status when they married non-status
Indians, Metis (half-bloods) or Whitemen...
These differences were never understood by
outsiders who didn't care anyway...
(My women friends) were all related and came
from the same reserve. All of them had lost
their treaty rights (government and tribal
benefits) when they married...
There women were also the first generation
of (natives) that I knew who had left
residential school and went on to get careers
(like business managers, nurses, and teachers).
(This fact is evidence that residential school
did prove to be liberating for some natives,
but that reality is not commonly understood
or celebrated at this time in history.)
(The native political organizations that
began to emerge during the 60s and 70s tended
to ignore native women's rights. Resulting
government policies helped to perpetuate a
great deal of violence against native women.)
Land claims are important, as are better
housing health and education, but it is
when we end the violence that we will create
real change...
Nothing has ever been written about the
native women who worked for change.
We know nothing about the sacrifices they
made, the humiliation they endured (often
from their own people) and the threats to
their lives and of their families.
Who are these women? (We try to share
the stories of some of them in this book.)
The politics here is not the Ottawa kind,
so admired by patriarchal leadership. This
book is about kitchen work, which in the
end always gets finished.
--
My Thoughts:
Over the years I have taught and worked
alongside a number of native women who
were preparing to be nurses, managers,
teachers, etc. I even helped a Blackfoot
woman earn her PhD, the first granted a
native person at the University of Calgary.
Never did I hear them talk about getting
an education in the "White Man's world"
to better themselves for selfish reasons.
They would always say that they were doing
this "for my people." As persons who were
charged by their culture to preserve the
traditions of their people, many said that
getting an education in the "White way"
was the best way to serve. That did not
mean they got rid of their own cultural
values. They integrated their own best
traditions with the good they found
beyond them.
Here is a book that gives oral tradition
evidence of how that wonderful act of
integration was handled by very clever
and devoted native women.
Where were the men in all this? Too often
they were either drunk or misusing money
that had been given to their bands. Still,
many women were faithful to their men
for the sake of their children and their
communities. They understood that their
men needed time to adjust to a new world
too.
For that generation of native women, oral
tradition was still the best way for them
to communicate their stories. Newer
generations have learned to use written
stories to do the same. But theire is
something noble and deeply meaningful about
hearing these stories as they were first
shared verbally.
This is valuable book, for native and
non-native readers alike. As in the world
beyond the native community, women have
been great contributors to the liberation
of the entire population.
These narratives reveal a less-well-
known story that is important to know.
We should be thankful to the University
of Alberta Press for producing it.
--
Buy the Book -
University of Alberta Press:
http://tinyurl.com/a2x597a
Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/b3qhqcc
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMENT
BRIAN ARTHUR BROWN
Niagara, ON.
Feb. 8th, 2013
Hi Wayne
You do seem to be back on stride, and
we are all thankful to God for that.
Thank you too, very sincerely, for a
thorough introduction/review of "Three
Testaments: Torah, Gospel and Quran..."
What made your review especially distinctive
was the inclusion of a link to Amazon. My book
has had several dozen reviews but few have done
that. That link makes all the difference, and
it's lack is like an interview on TV in which
the name of the book is mentioned perhaps at
the beginning and never again. I've been there,
and also watched such interviews with great
frustration.
Best to you as your work continues.
Brian Arthur Brown
http://www.BrianArthurBrown.com
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS
JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC
"Critical Mass for Social Movements"
http://tinyurl.com/3m3alz8
*****
NET NOTES
IN LA, A VICTORY FOR TRUTH
Editorial on an Archbishop
National Catholic Reporter
February 2nd, 2013
http://ncronline.org/node/44146
--
THE RALPH D. WINTER STORY
Biography of Evangelical Leader
Books and Culture
February 5th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b4q2l8j
--
BOXING LEGEND NEARS HIS END
Family Feuds Surround Him
The Mail, UK
February 3rd, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bfmpwjf
--
WOMAN BURNED ALIVE BY MOB
Accused as Sorceress in New Guinea
Uca News
February 7th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/az7soe6
--
CHINA: PERSECUTION GETTING WORSE
House Churches are Main Targets
Vatican Insider
February 7th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/axa7egz
--
DALITS AND PRIESTS BATHE TOGETHER
Old Taboo Broken at Hindu Festival
Uca News
February 8th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bzbgd33
--
SAUDI PREACHER GETS LIGHT SENTENCE
He Raped and Killed His Daughter
Gulf News
February 3rd, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b2k2yx7
--
UK BISHOPS ALLOW WOMEN INTO MEETINGS
Compromise Until Women Bishops Approved
The Guardian, UK
February 8th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/avfoy7j
--
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UNDER FIRE ACROSS CANADA
Religious Schools Facing Growing Pressures
The National Post
February 5th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/au5ls76
--
ETHIOPIANS SEVER TIES WITH AMERICAN LUTHERANS
Gay Marriage is the Issue
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
February 7, 2013
Lutheran church in Ethiopia severs relationship
with ELCA
CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Mekane Yesus is severing its relationship with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the
Church of Sweden and "those churches who have openly
accepted,same-sex marriage."
The action for "all Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Mekane Yesus departments and institutions (at every
level) to implement this decision" was ratified at
the denomination's general assembly, which met
Jan. 27th- Feb. 2nd in Addis Ababa. The denomination's
church council took action at its July 2012 meeting
to initially sever these relationships.
"The ELCA is very saddened by this decision," said
the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director
for ELCA Global Mission. "The ELCA and its predecessor
church bodies have been walking with the people of
Ethiopia for more than 50 years, and our sister church,
the Church of Sweden, for more than 150 years. In this
journey, we have learned from one another, we have
deepened and extended the bonds of fellowship and
partnership in the gospel." Malpica Padilla was in
Addis Ababa for meetings with program and ministry
partners of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane
Yesus.
To ensure that the decisions by the Ethiopian
Evangelical ChurchMekane Yesus are implemented,
members of the denomination "will not receive
Holy Communion from the leadership and pastors
of the (ELCA and the Church of Sweden). The
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus will
not distribute communion to these churches,"as
stated in the minutes of the denomination's July
2012 council meeting. "Representatives of these
churches at national level or leaders at every
level would not be invited to preach or speak
at the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus
congregations or other gatherings. They should not
be invited for any spiritual ministries of this
church."
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop,
said the actions of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Mekane Yesus are "deeply troubling." "Our own statement
on human sexuality acknowledges that the position held
by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is
also held by members of the ELCA. We are not of one
mind, but we are one in Christ, in faith and in
baptism," said Hanson, adding that the relationships
between Lutherans in North America and in Ethiopia
"has been sustained through periods of oppression,
divisions within the Ethiopian church and in times
of turmoil among Lutherans in North America. The
action of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane
Yesus church diminishes our capacity together to
proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to serve our
neighbors and to care for the creation.
"As the ELCA, we are always standing ready to open
the door of conversation for the sake of reconciliation
and our shared commitment to proclamation and service,"
Hanson said. "Reconciliation is not an option. It is
given in Christ, and we stand ready to engage with the
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus on what this
gift of reconciliation might mean for us now."
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners Online -
Long, blue, spiky-edged shadows crept out across
the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first scarce
discernible, gradually deepened and suffused every
mountain-top, flushing the glaciers and the harsh
crags above them. This was the alpenglow, to me
the most impressive of all the terrestrial
manifestations of God. At the touch of this
divine light, the mountains seemed to kindle
to a rapt, religious consciousness, and stood
hushed like devout worshippers waiting to be
blessed.
- John Muir
--
We want no revolution; we want the brotherhood of men.
We want men to love one another. We want all men to
have what is sufficient for their needs. But when we meet
people who deny Christ in His poor, we feel, 'Here are the
atheists.' They turned first from Christ crucified because
He was a poor worker, buffeted and spat upon and beaten.
And now, strange thought, the devil has so maneuvered
that the people turn from Him because those who profess
Him are clothed in soft raiment and sit at well-spread
tables and deny the poor.
- Dorothy Day
--
If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it;
blame yourself, tell yourself that you are not
poet enough to call forth its riches.
- Rainer Maria Rilke
--
To walk alone is possible, but the good walker
knows that the great trip is life and it requires
companions.
- Dom Helder Camara
*****
ON THIS DAY
Provided from the archives
of the New York Times:
February 3rd - 9th
George VI Dies: Succeeded by Daughter
Elizabeth II to Assume British Throne
http://tinyurl.com/b85jj85
--
Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart
take first untethered spacewalk
http://tinyurl.com/avcr9pp
--
Clinton Tables Electronic Media Legislation
Says it Opens Door to Future
http://tinyurl.com/be74csv
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT - Isabel Gibson
The Gift of Ambition
Now that we’ve taken a day or two and evolved
ourselves into perfectly reasonable beings with
entirely realistic expectations, maybe we’re in
position to truly enjoy the gift of ambition.
Ambition deserves a better rap than it sometimes
gets. Striving for more/better is one of the roots
of progress, and we can all use a little progress,
I’m thinking. Whether we make formal stop/start
resolutions, or write down a few things we’d like
to get done in the coming year, or just let
ourselves imagine the way things could be, may our
ambitions reach their potential in the coming year.
http://tinyurl.com/b58nr6r
Isabel's Blog:
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/
(end)
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