*****
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.
Note that not all items here have links.
*****
Dear Friends:
As I write these words I note that last
week's issue of Colleagues List - posted
just 7 days ago - has received almost
800 hits so far. That issue attended to
the matter of how to focus attention on
the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
in 2017. It has been one of the most
popular issues to date, and I rejoice!
Also, last week I posted a link from
The Tablet (UK) on the announcement
that the Eastern Orthodox are planning
their first major council in 1,200 years.
That link was dead or weak but it is now
working. http://tinyurl.com/nqommkj
--
My Special Item this week is a
book notice focusing on the life and
work of Joseph Campbell, entitled
"The Hero's Journey," and edited by
Phil Cousineau. http://tinyurl.com/kfjhalm
As many of you know, Campbell has been
a significant mentor of mine, and, I hope
you will benefit from this book notice.
--
Colleague Contributions
This week, Oblate priest-friend from
St. Paul, MN writes on the theme:
"Local Parish Renewal"
http://tinyurl.com/k8stdag
mailing writes on "Crimea and Quebec"
http://tinyurl.com/q5vf2a3
Thanks to both of you.
--
Net Notes
This week, our themes include -
"Ukraine Backstory" - to give us some
perspective on a fast-breaking current
event I provide this link (USA Today)
http://tinyurl.com/kaq4jfu
"Ukraine - Looking at Both Sides" - a
helpful contribution comes to us from
a Mennonite theologian (Assist News)
http://tinyurl.com/pmjxzfp
"Ukrainian Greek Catholics Persecuted" -
some Christian groups in the Ukraine
seem to be less equal than others
(Catholic News Agency)
http://tinyurl.com/qc4bq76
an encouraging article describing how
many Protestants are picking up on
at least some Catholic practices
(America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/ln5c8qt
"Patriarchy and Our Abusive Churches" -
an evangelical Protestant woman blogger
writes an important article, coming via
Sojourners Online (Rachel Held Evans Blog)
http://tinyurl.com/nhfsnlt
"What Will Happen to Westboro Baptist?" -
with the death of its controversial pastor,
it is natural to ask about possible succession
(Christian Post) http://tinyurl.com/lx8m6ob
"Finally Getting it Right About the Big Bang"
- important news about a theory that is
moving toward scientific factually
(Atlantic Online) http://tinyurl.com/oecvunm
"Australian Catholics Confront Clerical Abuse"
- one more nation - now having to come to
terms with a secretive, abusive, tradition
(National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/l4a85ok
"Survey: Irish Church Disconnected from People"
- scandals have taken their toll in a nation that
was formerly strongly Catholic, not unlike Quebec
(The Tablet, UK) http://tinyurl.com/nb5b7gj
"Faith Leaders Collaborate to Fight Modern Slavery"
- here is an issue about which many people of the
spirit have consensus (Anglican Digital Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/q4exqnv
--
Wisdom of the Week
Insights come from a wide variety of people,
times and places. Please scroll down.
Catherine of Siena, William Law, Elisabeth Elliot,
Chief Seattle, Glenn Archer and Thomas à Kempis
--
On This Day
From the Archives of the New York Times
Week of March 16th - 22nd
--
Closing Thought
Frederick Buechner is a favourite author of
mine from over the years. Scroll down.
Frederick Buechner is a favourite author of
mine from over the years. Scroll down.
--
FYI I include some classroom and study
links currently occupying my life -
My Current Church and University Teaching
St. David's Book Studies of Fifteen Years.
Scroll down.
--
Lenten blessings to you!
Wayne
**********
SPECIAL ITEM
Book Notice -
THE HERO'S JOURNEY
Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work
(new redesigned edition of a classic work)
by Joseph Campbell, edited by Phil Cousineau
New World Library Trade Paperback. 336 pages.
Released March 15th, 2014. $16.00 CAD.
ISBN #978-1-60868-189-1.
Publisher's Promo:
The great mythologist traces his own quest in
conversation with the luminaries he inspired,
now in trade paperback Joseph Campbell,
arguably the greatest mythologist of the
twentieth century, was certainly one of our
greatest storytellers. This masterfully crafted
book interweaves conversations between
Campbell and some of the people he inspired,
including poet Robert Bly, anthropologist
Angeles Arrien, filmmaker David Kennard,
Doors drummer John Densmore, psychiatric
pioneer Stanislov Grof, Nobel laureate Roger
Guillemen, and others. Campbell reflects on
subjects ranging from the origins and functions
of myth, the role of the artist, and the need for
ritual to the ordeals of love and romance.
With poetry and humor, Campbell recounts his
own quest and conveys the excitement of his
lifelong exploration of our mythic traditions,
what he called "the one great story of mankind."
http://tinyurl.com/kfjhalm
--
Editor's Intro:
Joseph Campbell's long odyssey through the seas
of ancient mythology was as much a spiritual
quest as it was a scholarly one. Through his
prodigious readings, writings, and travels, as well
as his crossroads meetings with many of the 20th
century's most influential men and women, he
discovered remarkable parallels in our world's
mythological heritage and reinforcement for the
deep conviction he had held since he was a young
student: that there is a fundamental unity in the
heart of nature.
"Truth is one, the sages speak of it by many names,"
he often quoted the Vedas. To synthesize the
constant truths of history became the burning
point of his life; to bridge the abyss between
science and religion, mind and body, East and
West, with the timeless linkage of myths became
his task of tasks.
Campbell's comparative historical approach to
mythology, religion and literature, in contrast to
the conventional scholar's emphasis on cultural
differences, concentrated on similarities. He was
convinced that the common themes or archetypes
in our sacred stories and images transcended the
variations of cultural manifestations...
Moreover, he believed that a re-viewing of such
primordial images in mythology as the hero, death
and resurrection, the virgin birth, and the promised
land - the universal aspects of the soul, the blood
memories - could reveal our common psychological
roots. They could even show us, as seen from
below, how the soul views itself...
"Myths are the masks of God," he wrote, "through
which men (sic) everywhere have sought to relate
themselves to the wonders of existence..."
After more than fifty years of teaching and more
than twenty books, Campbell felt his contribution
was simply that he gave people "the key to the
realm of the muses," that marvelous realm
beyond the visible one from which imagination
and inspiration could guide us in shaping our lives.
"Life is not a problem to be solved," he said, "but
a mystery to be lived..."
(After years of interpreting Campbell, I had
considerable editing to do to reconstruct the
parallel journeys of the work and the man.
The result is this integration of many books and
articles he wrote, the filmed presentations he
made and the interviews with many - like his
most famous with Bill Moyers' "The Power of Myth"
that he conducted.)
I believe Joe Campbell is enjoying eternity (he
died in 1987, 27 years ago) by reading from the
inexhaustible book of myth.
- Phil Cousineau (2003) from the
Preface to the hardcover edition.
--
My Thoughts:
At a crucial time of transition in my life (during
my early fifties) I happened upon Joseph
Campbell and a number of his signature books
like "The Hero With a Thousand Faces," "Myths
to Live By," "The Mythic Image," and the book
and video interview series he did with Bill Moyers
entitled "The Power of Myth" http://tinyurl.com/nnbcs6l
Most of his major work was done from mid-
twentieth century to the 1980s.
More than any other writer/scholar, Campbell
gave me new perspectives with which to grow
spiritually and authentically as I sought to move
beyond the confinements of my earlier spiritual
formation - yet not reject that important base.
I began teaching courses on Campbell and his
approach to myth at the university. Over the
years I was blessed with groups of students
and other associates who continued to grow
and think with me at the university and the
church. We would often meet for social events
outside of class to continue our myth-quests!
With considerable gratitude I look upon the
last quarter century of my career as a teacher,
while having equal appreciation for my first
career as a pastor.
To this day I continue to relate to teaching
and student colleagues at the university
and the church because it would not have
been possible to make the evolving spiritual
transitions of my life without that community.
Over the years, I have valued the fact that
New World Library has continued to release
updated editions of Campbell's essential
oeuvre as well as enlightening and helpful
companion works like this one.
I recently introduced in the Jan. 12th, 2014
issue of Colleagues List http://tinyurl.com/k6zeaoo
the latest publication of Campbell's works,
and treasure my collection of the complete
set, numbering 13 books, and his other
writings on mythological themes. Most of
these are available on the New World Library
website http://tinyurl.com/num94gk and can
also be purchased from Amazon.ca
--
This book is different, in that it is a
compilation and clarification of most of
his writings, presentations and interviews
by a lifelong student of Campbell's -
Phil Cousineau.
More of the great mythologist's writings
will be released over time. But this is a
good summary of his primary material
appearing so far.
If you are interested in building bridges
of spiritual understanding with people
of faith or of no declared faith, you would
be wise to secure a book like this one.
It covers all of Campbell's major themes.
For the price (from Amazon) it is a real
bargain, as well as a treasure, and one
you will return to, often.
--
Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/lqqljte
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
HARRY WINTER
St. Paul MN.
US Oblate Web Site
Current Article
"Parishes from Vatican II to Francis"
http://tinyurl.com/k8stdag
--
JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC
Personal Web Log
March 17th, 2014
"Crimea and Quebec Have Much in Common"
http://tinyurl.com/q5vf2a3
*****
NET NOTES
UKRAINE BACKSTORY
How Events Have Evolved
USA Today
March 20th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/kaq4jfu
--
UKRAINE -
LOOKING AT BOTH SIDES
Mennonite Theologian
Shares Views
Assist News
March 20th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/pmjxzfp
--
CATHOLICS PERSECUTED
Crimea Church Links
Orthodox/RC Traditions
Catholic News Agency
March 18th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/qc4bq76
--
LENT NOT JUST FOR
CATHOLICS ANYMORE
Many Practices Now
Common to Protestants
America Magazine
March 31st, 20124
http://tinyurl.com/ln5c8qt
--
PATRIARCHY AND
OUR ABUSIVE CHURCHES
Following Evangelical
Bill Gothard's Dismissal
RACHEL HELD EVANS BLOG
Provided by Sojourners
March 14th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/nhfsnlt
--
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
TO WESTBORO BAPTIST?
Famous Gay Hating Church
Losing Pastor
Christian Post
March 19th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/lx8m6ob
--
FINALLY GETTING IT RIGHT
RE THE BIG BANG
Confirmed Theory of
the Origin of the Universe
The Atlantic Online
March 18th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/oecvunm
--
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS
CONFRONT CLERICAL ABUSE
Church Control Unravelling
National Catholic Reporter
March 15th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/l4a85ok
--
IRISH CHURCH DISCONNECTED
FROM THE PEOPLE
Survey Reports Teachings
Don't Relate to Public
The Tablet, UK
March 21st, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/nb5b7gj
--
FAITH LEADERS UNITE TO
FIGHT MODERN SLAVERY
Committed to Challenge
Global Sex Trafficking
Anglican Digital Journal
March 17th, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/q4exqnv
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
"To the servant of God every place
is the right place, and every time
is the right time."
- Catherine of Siena
--
"All that is sweet, delightful, and amiable
in this world, in the serenity of the air,
the fineness of seasons, the joy of light,
the melody of sounds, the beauty of colors,
the fragrancy of smells, the splendor our
precious stones, is nothing else but Heaven
breaking through the veil of this world,
manifesting itself in such a degree and
darting forth in such variety so much of
its own nature."
- William Law
--
"One way to begin to see how vastly indulgent
we usually are is to fast. It is a long day that is
not broken by the usual three meals. One finds
out what an astonishing amount of time is spent
in the planning, purchasing, preparing, eating,
and cleaning up of meals."
- Elisabeth Elliot
--
"One thing we know, which the white man may
one day discover, our God is the same God. You
may think now that you own [God] as you wish
to own our land; but you cannot. [God] is the
God of man, and [God's] compassion is equal for
the red man and the white. This earth is precious
to [God], and to harm the earth is to heap contempt
on its Creator."
- Chief Seattle
--
"The church must never become a government
factory, carrying on a nationalized industry of
religion with the people as the bolts and nuts;
with God reduced to the role of cramped advocate
of current national policy. Surely the pages of history
are replete and the examples in many a foreign
country convincing that this kind of church-state
union — whatever the original motives, or however
noble the original purposes — winds up with a state
that is less than stable and a church that is less than
sanctified, and with the poor still hungry."
- Glenn Archer
--
"A man who cares nothing for praise or blame knows
great inward peace... Praise does not make you holier
than you are, nor blame more wicked. You are exactly
what you are, and cannot ever be any better or worse
than that, in the eyes of God. Attend to what is really
within you, then, and you will not care what others
say of you. People look at externals, but God looks at
the heart. They weigh actions; God knows your intent...
To feel no need of human support and assurance is a
mark of inward confidence – of one who truly walks
with God in his heart."
- Thomas à Kempis:
*****
ON THIS DAY
From the Archives of the New York Times
March 16th-23rd
"First Human Space Walk by Soviet Cosmonaut"
http://tinyurl.com/4ou72pg
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT - Frederick Buechner
Inspection stickers used to have printed on
the back, “Drive carefully: the life you save
may be your own.” That is the wisdom of
men in a nutshell. What God says, on the
other hand, is, “The life you save is the life
you lose.” In other words, the life you clutch,
hoard, guard, and play safe with is in the end
a life worth little to anybody, including yourself;
and only a life given away for love’s sake is a
life worth living. To bring this point home, God
shows us a man who gave his life away to the
extent of dying a national disgrace without a
penny in the bank or a friend to his name. In
terms of men’s wisdom, he was a perfect fool,
and anybody who thinks he can follow him
without making something like the same kind
of fool of himself is laboring not under a cross
but a delusion.
Source: Listening to Your Life
(end)
************
CHURCH AND UNIVERSITY TEACHING
Contact Wayne Holst
403-286-2416
waholst@telus.net
WINTER CLASSES
At St. David's:
LINK TO OUR CURRENT MONDAY NIGHT STUDY
50 Book Sets Sold; 35 Course Registrants
NEAR DEATH AND LIFE AFTER LIFE - Course Design
http://tinyurl.com/kvmu8o5
Study Books:
"The Light Beyond" by Raymond Moody and
"Eternal Life" by Bishop John Shelby Spong
Audio and Video Links Added as Class Develops
Moody Series:
http://tinyurl.com/kq6ukpd
http://tinyurl.com/kjkltd2
http://tinyurl.com/kdxchff
Spong Series:
http://tinyurl.com/kyfuqo8
http://tinyurl.com/npym6zt
---
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.
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.
*****
ST. DAVIDS BOOK STUDY ARCHIVE
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