*****
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.
*****
Dear Friends:
This week I share two sets of notes
taken during interesting sessions -
the first was our Interview with Richard
Rohr last Monday evening, and the second
my Interfaith Dialogue Report on "Green
Faith" sponsored by the Calgary Muslim
community, recorded on Wednesday evening.
Both proved stimulating, and I hope you
don't mind that I have only text records
to share of these special events.
Thanks to colleagues Richard Rohr and
Malik Muradov for your efforts!
--
Colleague Comment:
This week we have three Canadian
comments to share with you based
on last week's issue of CL:
Karen McKeown (Calgary AB)
speaks about Ian Barbour
http://tinyurl.com/ke38aky
http://tinyurl.com/nxtwzqc
Dan Haugen (Prince Albert SK)
reflects on whether the church
makes any difference in our society
Gary Nickel (Ft. Saskatchewan AB)
expresses an OK to our new CL format
--
Colleague Communications:
Three trustworthy writers appear
again in this issue -
Martin Marty (Chicago IL) on
Ian Barbour, religion and science
http://tinyurl.com/la6a3tt
Jim Taylor (Okanagan BC) on
leadership and trust
http://tinyurl.com/lzp35xs
Ron Rolheiser (San Antonio TX) on
the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
http://tinyurl.com/msbuygw
--
Net Notes:
"Pentecostal Drift" - growing numbers
of Catholic migrants to the UK are
joining Pentecostal churches there.
Find out why (The Tablet, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/kkmjr5r
"The Modern Spirit of Asia" -
here is a substantive book that
describes how the West is having
a profound affect on India and China
(Princeton U. Press, UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/m3kbtbc
http://tinyurl.com/qhghokk
"UCC Clergy Form Own Union" -
past attempts to unionize have proved
futile, but read of another effort
(Metro News Canada)
http://tinyurl.com/mqotf5j
"40 Must-See Photos of the Past" -
looking at these pictures makes one
aware of how things have changed,
and not (Atlantic Monthly)
http://tinyurl.com/n5futzw
"How Inactivity Changes the Brain" -
we naturally believe this to be true,
now there is scientific proof - so
get with it!! (New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/l5238zj
"Biblical Era Cache Found in Basement" -
a story of another interesting find in
Galilee that connects to biblical times
(Huffington Post Canada Religion)
http://tinyurl.com/l7xet5x
"Advent Hope Lights Post-Holiday Blues"
- Canadian evangelical writer reflects on
carrying hope into a depressing time of year
(Christian Week Online)
http://tinyurl.com/le97os5
"9 of 10 Bangladeshi Women Suffer Abuse"
- surprizing and tragic news about the status
of women in Bangladesh (UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/kmfflfw
"In India - Leprosy Declines, Stigma Remains"
- here is another example of how a dreaded
disease is being conquered in India, with
residual implications (UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/lllw8t8
"Church of England is Cautious Re Investments"
- concern about fossil fuel emissions is mute,
but church is hesitant to pull funds, gives reasons
(Reuters Faith World) http://tinyurl.com/krepqza
--
Wisdom of the Week is provided by
Sojourners and Plough Press -
Marilynne Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr,
Daniel José Camacho, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
and Jürgen Moltmann share their insights.
On This Day:
January 19th - 25th
Reported by the New York Times
as these events occurred -
VIETNAM WAR ENDS WITH ACCORD
http://tinyurl.com/4funvav
LENIN DIES AT AGE 54
http://tinyurl.com/a7f9ha7
CHURCHILL DIES IN LONDON AT 90
http://tinyurl.com/nae7hu7
Closing Thought - Teilhard de Chardin
(end)
Church and University Classes Just Beginning
****************
SPECIAL ITEMS
RICHARD ROHR INTERVIEW
Notes by Wayne Holst
This past Monday evening, a group from
St. David's gathered to participate in a
conference call interview with Father
Richard Rohr, Franciscan, and founder of
the Centre for Contemplation and Action
in Albuquerque, NM. He is the author of
many books, the most recently published
being "Immortal Diamond."
(Soon to appear will be - "Embracing an
Alternative Orthodoxy Participant's Workbook:
Richard Rohr on the Legacy of Saint Francis.")
A number of participants had questions to
ask of "Richard" as he prefers to be called.
Since I was moderating, it was hard to do
that and take notes at the same time.
Here, however, are some notes attempted
from some of the major themes of the
discussion:
The "true" and the "false" self.
This is a key distinction in the book.
The true self is neither God nor human.
The true self is both at the same time,
and a total gift to those who become
aware of it and claim it.
I took this to mean that we can neither
claim that God resides solely in us, or that
God is totally distinct from us. This helps us
to avoid the classic difficulties of both
this-worldly and other-worldly thinking.
I am not God, but God does indeed dwell
in me.
--
The value of icons.
Icons mirror the divine gaze. While words
can be argumenative, religious art and
symbol invite us into a spiritual freedom
and irenic openness.
Rohr suggested diplomatically that one of
the dangers of the Protestant focus on
the Bible as the Word of God, and on the
importance we place on preaching is that
we can get caught up in words and become
conflicted by them, while symbol can carry
us beyond words into mystery.
--
Abuse of fear in the Christian tradition.
"Don't be afraid" is a major biblical theme,
and yet most of us have been abused by the
use of fear in the church. Rohr said that we
might place the emphasis on "creation" and
not "redemption" because the former opens
us to the "bible" of nature; while the latter
has been fraught with "atonement" theologies
that tend to turn Jesus into something he is not.
Jesus did not become incarnate in human form
to appease an angry God, but to celebrate the
creation of humans and non-humans alike.
Rohr said this in the spirit of the Franciscan
theological tradition.
--
Redemption does not imply a problem
to be solved, but the greatness of God's
love and our ability to participate in it.
--
We are coming into a time when - after
a long period of mutual alienation - science
and faith are again converging. We all need
evidence of what we observe and claim to
be true, both spiritually and scientifically.
The universe is relational.
Einstein, for example, honored mystery
and so do both mature religion and
science. In this, both seek meaning in
the universe and not mere facts.
--
Most participants stayed to reflect on
what had been discussed and were very
impressed with the conversation.
Thanks Richard!
*****
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE NOTES
ON "GREEN FAITH"
This Wednesday evening, Marlene and I
were the invited guests of the Inter-faith
Dialogue Institute, an Islamic organization
having a number of centres located across
Canada, with one situated here in Calgary.
http://tinyurl.com/nx5qfv8
The theme of the evening was "Green Faith"
and it brought together representatives from
the Aboriginal, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and
Buddhist communities. RC Bishop Fred Henry
gave opening remarks and Dr. Tinu Ruparell
head of the Religious Studies Department at
the University of Calgary gave some closing
comments.
This event was initiated and funded by the
Muslim community - something to celebrate.
We were welcomed by colleague Malik Muradov,
the director of IDI Calgary.
Guests were treated to great hospitality. An
interesting blend of participants was seated
at each table. The generosity of our hosts was
impressive, as well as their obvious integration
into the Calgary community.
Evidence of this was that the evening was MC'd
by Darrel Janz. Janz, a Mennonite by background,
is a 40 year veteran as CTV Evening News anchor
and a respected Calgary community media figure.
I took a few notes of comments made by all
participants and share some of them below.
Darrel Janz:
"I'm pleased to serve as master of ceremonies
tonight. The IDI serves as a welcome platform
for interfaith discussion in our city. It offers
tours from our country to Turkey to help
Canadians know this Islamic nation better.
Frederick Henry - Opening Comments
"Who is listening to the cry of the earth?" We
are aware of an increase in pollution, and growing
numbers of storms and floods; of deforestation and
temperature extremes. Religious leaders are now
raising their voices, but who is listening? Business
and political leaders seem focused on immediate -
not long term - concerns. The rest of us seem numbed
by our need to preserve and increase our consumer
comforts. At the heart of it all is an energy problem
based on the sun and fossil fuels. Technology has
done us much good, but it has also polluted the
earth. We Calgarians are at the hub of a big issue.
"Canada is 15th of 17 leading nations in the creation
of waste and greenhouse gasses.
"In many ways, people are moving ahead of their
governments in attempts to deal with the problem.
Community groups in many places, including here,
are working on a conversion of traditional mindsets.
"Many faiths are united in their concern for the
poor and others in need. Let us heed the cry of the
earth and respect what nature is trying to tell us -
the earth belongs to the One who loves us all."
Alvin Manitopyes (Aboriginal)
"Our traditional spirituality is becoming more
valid and meaningful for modern humanity. Our
laws of life have always been based on natural
laws. Our sacred objects like sweetgrass and the
pipe are used in ceremonies to link nature and
human life. Nature is a great teacher whom we
need to listen to and respect."
Yisroel Miller (Jewish)
"As people of faith, we have some noble choices
to make. God cares about the earth and so must
we. But this noble sentiment must translate into
concrete action. Like planting trees for those
who come after us.
"Still, truly righteous people can do bad things.
For example, the environmental laws we believe
need to be enforced can sometimes hurt the poor.
How many people lose their jobs because of some
of these laws? We need to realize that there are
times when what we believe to be a good thing
is actually not good for others. What then?
"In some ways, what I chose to do is more
important than governmental laws. People
of faith need sometimes to be subversive and
suffer popular rejection for our stand."
William Phipps (Christian)
"All through the Judeo-Christian scriptures there
are geological statements telling us that the
earth is God's creation and we are the gardeners.
The Hebrew prophets and Jesus himself have
statements containing natural images. The cry
of the earth and the poor are one. Christian
history has been a mixed bag of exploitation and
care for the earth. That dichotomy continues
into our own times. Our words are often great
but our actions leave a lot to be desired..
"We need a holistic interfaith witness to a green
faith. (Bill concluded with a wonderful image of
hearing his three year old grand-daughter
express joy at the beautiful world we inhabit.)
"Hopefully, that is the kind of world we are
working to bequest to her but we need to take
seriously the problems we are perpetuating."
Fayez Tilly (Muslim)
"The world is sufficient for our need but
not our greed. A Canadian in his or her first
six months of life wastes what many others
in the world waste in a lifetime.
"Islam, which began in the desert, has always
been concerned about water stewardship.
Two and a half billion people live today in
regions that are water deficient. It is our
challenge to protect and nurture trees because
trees help to attract and maintain water and
create oxygen. We need to cut down the
forests of desire in our lives, not the trees.
If we destroy the soil, we destroy ourselves.
"Every time we shower in Canada we use
7.5 gallons of water per minute. We consume
a total of 329 litres of water per day. We need
to discipline ourselves to use less water.
"Rumi said - take care of Mother Earth and
Mother Earth will take care of you."
Sensei James (Buddhist)
"I speak as a Buddhist, not for Buddhism.
It is a personal thing for me.
"We need to recycle, reuse, reduce.
"We are all part of the web of life.
Everything I do affects everything else.
If we protect the environment, we protect
ourselves. Appreciate all the world's
colors, not just the color green."
Tina Ruparell (Religious Studies, U of C)
Closing Comments on the Value of Dialogue
Important religious issues have been
discussed this evening. Ecology and religion
are inter-related and we have much to
learn from each other. We are dealing with
complex issues not easily addressed with
responsibility.
"We need to approach these difficult
issues humbly, since only through humility
can we be taught. We have a fundamental
need to "listen" as well as to "speak" but
above all, in these matters, we need to
listen.
"We have agreement and difference on
many of these matters. Let us celebrate
uniqueness and the dignity of difference.
"Events like tonight reflect a lot of good
will, but they are incomplete. What of
those who are not here as part of the
dialogue - because they are afraid, or
numb?
"We need to come to a new meaning
of the word "sacrifice" for our time.
Sacrifice is a common religious theme
and all of our traditions have tried to
master it. I believe we need to focus
more on sacrificing ourselves in matters
of green faith in order to provide more
options for others.
"We need to become the change we want
to see in the world {Gandhi)"
_____
Questions to the speakers from the floor were
ably moderated by colleague Adriana Tulissi
of the Faith and Spirituality Centre, at the
University of Calgary.
Here are some good discussion statements -
"Don't allow our desire to do good to blind us
from heeding differing views among us."
"Our world is out of balance. We may already
be past the point of no return. We need to
heed the wisdom of Indigenous people before
it is too late."
"We must not wait for governments to do what
needs to be done. We need to take responsibility
on an individual level."
"At the same time, corporate and political
action must also take place in matters of
concern that involve societies as a whole."
"Canada is one of the most well-placed of any
nation on earth to do something."
But we hesitate.
*****
Turkish Calligraphy - a remarkable demonstration
of Islamic writing and design was presented.
A group picture was taken of those attending.
--
Malik Mirodov has been invited, with his associates,
to speak and host a "Noah's Pudding" luncheon at
St. David's United, Calgary this winter.
Welcome Malik!
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMENTS
KAREN MCKEOWN
Calgary, AB
January 19th, 2014
Re: Your NYT Notice of Ian Barbour Death
Colleagues List January 19th, 2014
Hi Wayne,
‘Conversation with Ian Barbour’. I thought it
was a good intro into his
life work(s).
http://tinyurl.com/ke38aky
I liked the ‘Balance Between Faith & Science’
Thank you very much for the introduction!!!
DAN HAUGEN
http://tinyurl.com/ke38aky
I liked the ‘Balance Between Faith & Science’
article in the NYTimes as well. Had not heard
of this amazing man before but found him
sooo interesting.
Jan. 12, 2014 NYT (repeat)
http://tinyurl.com/nxtwzqc
I believe he worked up until his 90th B-day!
Jan. 12, 2014 NYT (repeat)
http://tinyurl.com/nxtwzqc
I believe he worked up until his 90th B-day!
That’s pretty amazing too!
Karen
--
--
DAN HAUGEN
January 19th, 2014
Wayne,
I have not been able to read every
posting you make, but I do read most
of them. I am always impressed at
the breadth of the material presented.
That is not a common quality anymore.
I was quite taken by the article on
Global War on Christians. I have known
this exists, but indeed I view it with
great distance. Maybe one of the reasons
churches in the western world view it
with great distance, is because we have
so blended into the cultures in which we
live, that we know very little about
persecution. It would seem strange
for our cultures to view us with much
hostility since we have blended in so
well and do more to ratify the culture
than challenge it. An interjection:
(Just had a surmised thought . . . I must
confess that I sometimes find listening to
the CBC is like listening to many of our
church leadership these days . . . Many
of the same topics . . . same ideologies.)
Not that it is all bad . . . But the church
certainly becomes quite unnecessary. . .
CBC does it quite well.
Is it even possible that when we hear
of persecution we assume those Christians
must be radicals or too fundamentalistic. . .
and it helps push the issues aside for us.
(Maybe that thought is not very gracious
for me . . . One of the many ways to shed
issues).
I want to think more about this ...
Reading your collections is always stimulating
for thought. Thanks for this faithful contribution
and stimulus for God's people.
Dan
--
GARY NICKEL
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
January 19th, 2014
Hi Wayne,
Thanks for the usual very good CL. I thought
I'd share that I like the present kind of type
and bolder print which for me, makes it easier
to read,
than earlier format. Not that it wasn't
easy to read, but this works better
for me.]
A Blessed Epiphany Season,
Gary
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, IL
Sightings
January 20th, 2014
"Barbour"
http://tinyurl.com/la6a3tt
--
JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC
Personal Web Log
January 22nd, 2014
"Leadership"
http://tinyurl.com/lzp35xs
RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX
Personal Web Site
January 19th, 2014
A Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity Reflection
"The Imperative for Wholeness
Inside Christ"
http://tinyurl.com/msbuygw
NET NOTES
PENTECOSTAL DRIFT
UK Catholic Transition
The Tablet, UK
January 23rd, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/kkmjr5r
--
THE MODERN SPIRIT OF ASIA
Book Examines Emerging China, India
Author: Peter van der Veer
Princeton University Press
http://tinyurl.com/m3kbtbc
Brief description of the book
UCA News
Jan 21st, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/qhghokk
--
UCC CLERGY FORM OWN UNION
A First for a Canadian Denomination
Metro News
January 21st, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/mqotf5j
--
40 MUST-SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PAST
Most Contrast Greatly with Now
Sojourners Online
January 24th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/n5futzw
--
HOW INACTIVITY CHANGES THE BRAIN
Current Study Validates Common Wisdom
New York Times
January 22nd, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/l5238zj
--
BIBLICAL ERA CACHE FOUND IN BASEMENT
Galilee Region Yields Riches by Chance
Huffington Post Religion
January 21st, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/l7xet5x
--
ADVENT HOPE LIGHTS POST-HOLIDAY BLUES
Advent Meaning Can Continue Thru the Year
Christian Week
January 17th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/le97os5
--
9 of 10 BANGALDESHI WOMEN SUFFER ABUSE
Dramatic Statistics Revealed this Week
UCA News
January 23rd, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/kmfflfw
IN INDIA - LEPROSY DECLINES STIGMA REMAINS
Another Tragic Disease is Disappearing
UCA News
January 24th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/lllw8t8
--
CHURCH OF ENGLAND HESITATES RE INVESTMENTS
Slow to Stop Fossal Fuels Support - Gives Reasons
Reuters Faith World
January 17th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/krepqza
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
If we are to consider the heavens,
how much more are we to consider the
magnificent energies of consciousness
that make whomever we pass on the
street a far grander marvel than our
galaxy?"
- Marilynne Robinson
--
"Whatever affects one directly, affects all
indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be
until you are what you ought to be. This is
the interrelated structure of reality."
- Martin Luther King, Jr
--
"Race is not so much an idea we hold in our
worldview, but something that has seeped
deeply into our imaginations and desires.
As such, race is more like a habit that is
inculcated in us through practices in a
life-long formation process."
- Daniel José Camacho
--
Humanly speaking, we could understand
and interpret the Sermon on the Mount in
a thousand different ways. Jesus knows only
one possibility: simple surrender and obedience,
not interpreting it or applying it, but doing and
obeying it. That is the only way to hear his word.
But again he does not mean that it is to be
discussed as an ideal; he really means us to
get on with it.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
--
"Christianity is wholly and entirely confident
hope, a stretching out to what is ahead, and
a readiness for a fresh start. Future is not just
something or other to do with Christianity. It
is the essential element of the faith which is
specifically Christian."
- Jürgen Moltmann
*****
ON THIS DAY
Provided from the archives
of the New York Times
January 19th - 25th
VIETNAM WAR ENDS WITH ACCORD
http://tinyurl.com/4funvav
LENIN DIES AT AGE 54
http://tinyurl.com/a7f9ha7
CHURCHILL DIES IN LONDON AT 90
http://tinyurl.com/nae7hu7
*****
Some day,
after mastering
the winds, the waves,
the tides and gravity,
we shall harness for God
the energies of love.
And then,
for the second time
in the history of the world,
man will discover fire.
Source: Toward the Future
(end)
*****
CLASSES JUST BEGINNING AT THE CHURCH
AND UNIVERSITY - WINTER SESSION, 2014
Contact Wayne Holst 403-286-2416
waholst@telus.net
At the Church:
ACTS MONDAY NIGHT STUDY - WINTER 2014
NEAR DEATH - ETERNAL LIFE
A Spiritual Reflection on Life After Life
Team Taught with Jock McTavish
Books Titles - "The Light Beyond"/"Eternal Life"
Book Authors - Raymond Moody and John Spong
Ten Monday Evenings - January 27th - March 31st
TM Room 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Registration, books and hospitality - $50.00
48 sets of the study books including 32 full
course registrations have been sold to date.
---
At the University:
LENTEN FRIDAY NOON FACULTY,
STAFF AND STUDENT STUDY
"In Search of Deep Faith" -
A Pilgrimage Among People and Places of Europe
by Jim Belcher, IVP, paperback. 2013.
February 27th - April 3rd, 2014
Six Fridays, 12-1PM. Native Centre Board Room,
Mac Hall.
Co-sponsored by St. David's United and the
U. of C. Faith and Spirituality Centre.
More information to appear shortly.
*****
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