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)
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Colleagues List, January 13th, 2013
Vol. VIII No. 15
*****
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 Friends:
In this first issue of the New Year, I
share with you a book notice of "Open
Heart" by the famous Jewish author,
Elie Wiesel. Secondly, I offer a book
review of a collection of essays by a
group of Canadian Anglicans - "Guide
for the Christian Perplexed" edited by
Thomas Power of Trinity and Wycliffe
Colleges, University of Toronto.
I hope you enjoy both books.
--
Colleague Comment this week is from an
old friend we first met in France. He
is Fr. Ned Carolan of Dublin, Ireland.
Nice to hear from you Ned!
--
Colleague Contributions are from -
Martin Marty, Jim Taylor, Monica Kilburn
Smith and Doug Shantz
http://tinyurl.com/9wkn5l5
http://tinyurl.com/b6adbq6
http://tinyurl.com/6ux24o8
http://www.ucalgary.ca/christchair/
--
Net Notes:
"Why Aren't Christians Funny?" - here is
an article by an evangelical Christian
that challenges the sober approach to faith
he finds around him (Relevant Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/bedhpzh
"The Most Redeeming Films of 2013" - here
is a list of the most meaningful films of
2012 accordeing to Christianity Today.
http://tinyurl.com/a9murhw
"Christians Claim Hindu Repression" - as
what might be expected as India marches
toward modernization, traditional faith
groups are in conflict (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/b886msx
"A Mother's Love for Son was Prophetic" -
one of the women pioneers in the liberation
of gay, lesbian and transgendered people
died this week (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/bgm5w2r
"First Church for Atheists Opens in UK" -
as Atheists become more visible and grow
in the need for community, this development
is natural (Huffington Post Canada)
http://tinyurl.com/a3b8vmu
"Large Cross Erected on Site of Violence" -
a sign that Christians in Pakistan are
growing bolder in their quest for rights
is noted in this story (Uca News)
http://tinyurl.com/a28wc6d
"Guru Provokes Reaction With His Comments" -
here is evidence that male patriarchs in
any faith tradition can be totally out of
touch (The Daily Mail, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/bjdkm6o
"Noting How India has Risen Up Against Rape" -
continuing a theme presented by colleague
Jim Taylor, this article reflects on the
same issue (The Tablet, UK)
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/163674
"John Banzhaf's Fatwas Against RC University" -
as Islam grows more at home in the West, the
following development and story is predictable
(Sightings) http://tinyurl.com/apjwtjd
"Justin Welby Officially Canterbury Archbishop' -
officially now, the Anglican Community has a
new leader approved by church authorities
(Anglican Journal) http://tinyurl.com/aqzu3l7
--
Wisdom of the Week - is provided by Sojourners
online and includes ideas worth pondering by -
Gustavo Gutiérrez, Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn,
Martin Luther, Margaret Mead, Margaret Wheatle,
and Lisa Lofland Gould.
--
On This Day is offered through the archives
of the New York Times and includes events
that occured between January 6th - 12th:
First UN General Assembly Meets in London
http://tinyurl.com/aawe7td
Amelia Earhart Makes First Solo Woman
Flight Across Pacific
http://tinyurl.com/afnancm
--
Closing Thought - is provided by colleague
Isabel Gibson based on themes from the twelve
days of Christmas. I will add one a week for
the next several months. Thanks, Isabel!
--
May 2013 have gotten off to a good start
for all of you my readers!
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
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 ITEMS
BOOK NOTICE:
OPEN HEART
by Elie Wiesel,
Knopf Canada, 2012
79 pages. $24.00 CAD.
ISBN #978-0-307-96184-6.
Publisher's Promo:
Elie Wiesel delivers a message of hope
and tolerance in Open Heart. A successful
husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and
writer, he is an asset to humankind. He has
turned despondency into a message of approval
and optimism.
Mr. Wiesel packages equal parts beauty and
astonishing description in an impossibly
concise manner. Few authors have possessed
such capacity for succinctness and brevity
with magnificent dexterity.
At 82 and ill, Mr. Wiesel remains a powerful
ambassador of tolerance and hope, for humanity
will always require this message, a bright
light in the darkness of despair, a signpost
on humanity's road toward destruction and
"turn to tolerance and survive."
This is Elie Wiesel's eternal message. We
are each a spark of light in the darkness
of destruction.
- Charles S. Weinblatt
--
Author's Words:
A team of specialists is waiting for me in
the emergency room. The very first blood test
instantly reveals the gravity of my condition.
There is a definite risk of heart attack.
"You have five blocked arteries. You require
open heart surgery..."
My wife and son are not good at hiding their
anxiety. Their smiles seem forced. My wife
Marion says "The doctors are optimistic. The
surgeon they propose is world-renowned..."
Through the tears that darken the future, a
thought awakens, a deeper concern, a deeper
sorrow. Shall I see them again...?
The door to the OR closes. I am alone...
I panic. They are going to put me to sleep -
and I shall never wake up again.
I recite to myself. "Shema Yisrael, hear
o Israel, Adoshem Elokeinu, God is our God,
Adoshem e'had, God is one and unique."
To my doctors I said weakly "Now I am your's,"
"Count to ten," one said.
I think I stopped before I reached ten.
--
My Thoughts:
If you desire more info on this author click:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elie_Wiesel
Elie Wiesel continues to remain among us, even
at age 82, as one of the great writers of the
Shoah (Holocaust) and of memory - calling us
ever again to never forget that tragic moment
in the history of humanity.
After learning that he had, in fact, escaped
death, Wiesel writes: "I belong to a generation
(of Jews) that has often felt abandoned by God
and betrayed by mankind. And yet, I believe that
we must not give up on either.
If Wiesel could go through what he did and still
believe in God and in humanity, there may yet
be hope for you and I.
Wiesel realizes that he has come from this
experience a changed man.
"Life may diminish me, but it will not destroy
me. The body is not eternal, but the idea of
the soul is. The brain may be buried, but
memory will survive it."
From this we learn that Wiesel has been
given a new gift of discernment. He can
more clearly distinquish between the
importance of this life, and of eternity.
While some things have changed, he realizes
that he remains much the same.
"What is different," he says, "is that I know
that every moment is a new beginning, every
handshake a promise..."
He concludes: "I know that eternities ago, the
day after the liberation (from the camps) when
some of us had to choose between anger and
gratitude, my choice was the right one..."
"My life? I go on breathing from minute to
minute, from prayer to prayer."
--
I encourage you to buy and live with this
book - rereading it again and again - as
I have. While we struggle with the meanings
of life after life and life after death,
Wiesel is a good guide.
--
Buy the Book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/ctaty2x
__
BOOK REVIEW:
This review will appear in Faith Today -
the official journal of the Evangelical
Fellowship of Canada later this winter.
--
GUIDE FOR THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED
Edited by Thomas P. Power, with Study Guide
Pickwick Publications. Wipf and Stock,
2012. Papercover. $31.00.
ISBN #978-1-61097-458-5.
People of faith cherished Maimonides the Jewish
philosopher whose book “Guide to the Perplexed”
was published in 1190 CE. In our times they
continue to seek help from spiritual guides
much like him.
Thomas P. Power and fifteen others, writing
mainly from an evangelical Anglican tradition,
will not disappoint the modern conflicted reader.
Their topics include: what we know of Jesus, the
meaning of suffering, the function of doctrine,
the pleasures and complications of sexuality,
and diverse forms of spirituality.
Thoughtful Christians are always legitimately
perplexed. Sadly, many moderns have not found
safe places to address their confusions with
intellectual candor and integrity. But this
book will help.
The writers of these chapters, largely from
Wycliffe College Toronto, add substance to
the theologies they espouse. “We have called
the book a guide. We are not advocating a
particular theological tradition or presenting
the manifesto of a school of thought,” declare
Alan Hayes and Thomas Power in the Introduction.
Each writer has a point of view but all try to
recognize the legitimacy of other points of
view and they respect the reader’s right to
weigh the evidence freely.
One of the first chapters to which this reviewer
was drawn was Ephriam Radner’s “God Bless the
Atheists: Faith and Anti-faith Today.” Radner
gives helpful background to the rise of what has
been termed “the New Atheism.” While clearly
opposed to many perspectives of modern atheists
(Radner considers them not that new) he offers a
balanced critique and includes counter-arguments
from outside the church.
There will always be people of faith and anti-faith.
Atheism today should not be viewed as an enemy, but
as an encouragement to more clarity and substance
on our part.
Many of the other topics discussed in this book
reflect the same careful thought as the chapter
just described. Readers will be engaged to grow
through exposure to other perspectives from
spiritual guides demonstrating solid faith
grounding.
---
Reviewer's Bio:
Wayne A. Holst teaches religion and culture
at the University of Calgary and helps to
coordinate Adult Spiritual Development at
St. David’s United Church in that city.
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMENT
To Marlene and Wayne -
To wish you all the blessings of the coming
of Christ and the New Year!
Thanks you ever so much for the regular
installments (of Colleagues List) in my
e-mail. I look forward to them each week -
you have a real apostolate.
Fr. Ned Carolan, omi Retreat, Dublin.
*****
COLLEAGUES CONTRIBUTIONS
MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, IL
"Pastors Suffer Fools Gladly"
Sightings
January 7th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/9wkn5l5
--
JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC
Personal Weblog
"Rape Has Nothing to do With Love"
http://tinyurl.com/b6adbq6
--
MONICA KILBURN-SMITH
Calgary, AB
"The Jewishness of Jesus"
PBS Video
March, 2012
http://tinyurl.com/6ux24o8
--
DOUG SHANTZ
Calgary, AB
Chair of Chritian Thought Event
The Iwaasa Lecture on Urban Theology
Panel on Homelessness
Bringing Many Perspectives
to Bear on a Human Tragedy
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 7:30pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer
7th Ave and 1st St SE, Calgary
His Worship Mayor Naheed Nenshi (Mayor of Calgary)
Opening Remarks
Dr. John Rook (CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation)
homelessness as a social problem
Bishop Fred Henry (Roman Catholic Bishop of Calgary)
homelessness as a spiritual problem
Mr. John Bodman (homeless for years)
homelessness as a personal problem
Book Signing by Susan Scott, Author of
"The Beginning of the End" with a
Free copy of the book to first 100 people.
*****
NET NOTES
WHY AREN'T CHRISTIANS FUNNY?
Religion Seems Serious Matter
Relevant Magazine,
January, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bedhpzh
---
MOST REDEEMING FILMS OF 2013
Evangelical Christian Perspective
Christianity Today
January 8th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/a9murhw
---
CHRISTIANS CLAIM HINDU REPRESSIONS
Indian Religious Intolerance Grows
Uca News
January 9th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/b886msx
---
MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER SON WAS PROPHETIC
Pioneer in GLT Movement Dies at 92
Uca News
January 11th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bgm5w2r
___
FIRST CHURCH FOR ATHEIST OPENS IN UK
New Movement Sees Need for Community
Huffington Post Canada
January 7th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/a3b8vmu
--
LARGE CROSS ERECTED ON SITE OF VIOLENCE
Strong Symbol for Christians in Pakistan
Uca News
January 5th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/a28wc6d
--
INDIAN GURU PROVOKES REACTION WITH COMMENTS
"She Should Have Been More Friendly to Killers"
The Daily Mail
January 7th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/bjdkm6o
--
NOTING HOW INDIAN HAS RISEN UP AGAINST RAPE
New Attidue has Eemrged - Major Implications
The Tablet, UK
January 12th, 2013
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/163674
--
JOHN BANZHAF'S FATWA AGAINST CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
the Meaning Behind the Legal Suit
Sightings
January 10th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/apjwtjd
--
JUSTIN WELBY OFFICIALLY NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
British Approvals Now Completed
Anglican Journal
January 11th, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/aqzu3l7
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners Online:
If there is no friendship with [the poor]
and no sharing of the life of the poor,
then there is no authentic commitment
to liberation, because love exists only
among equals.
- Gustavo Gutiérrez,
"A Theology of Liberation"
--
In keeping silent about evil, in burying
it so deep within us that no sign of it
appears on the surface, we are implanting
it, and it will rise up a thousand fold
in the future. When we neither punish nor
reproach evildoers, we are not simply
protecting their trivial old age, we are
thereby ripping the foundations of justice
from beneath new generations.
- Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn,
"The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956"
--
When it comes to faith, what a living,
creative, active, powerful thing it is.
It cannot do other than good at all times.
It never waits to ask whether there is
some good work to do, rather, before the
question is raised, it has done the deed,
and keeps on doing it.
- Martin Luther
--
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
--
I have learned that when we begin listening
to each other, and when we talk about things
that matter to us, the world begins to change.
Human conversation is the most ancient and
easiest way to cultivate the conditions of
change — personal change, community, and
organizational change.
- Margaret Wheatley
--
To be fully human, we must recognize the
full humanity of all other people.
- Lisa Lofland Gould
*****
ON THIS DAY
Provided from the Archives
of the New York Times
First UN General Assembly Meets in London
http://tinyurl.com/aawe7td
Amelia Earhard Makes First Solo
Woman Flight Across Pacific
http://tinyurl.com/afnancm
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT
Isabel Gibson
The Gift of Motivation
Short reflections on 12 gifts
The best is the enemy of the good.
Voltaire, in a letter to Frederik
of Prussia
Voltaire’s words come as a bit of
a shock: we are more accustomed to
motivational speakers who exhort
us to aim high, to pursue excellence,
to visualize the win. But at least
one Canadian General (now retired)
adapted the phrase for his own time,
place, and project environment.
As he used to tell his staff, The
perfect is the enemy of the good enough.
May even the perfectionists in the crowd
(ahem...) enjoy the gift of motivation,
overcoming the paralysis that often results
from pursuing the impossibly distant goal
of perfection, and instead pursuing an
achievable ‘good enough’.
(end)
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