Archive - Dec 2009 - Oct 2016 http://colleagueslist.blogspot.ca/

Friday 24 November 2017

Colleagues List, November 26th, 2017

Vol. XIII No. 21 

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

 
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: waholst@telus.net

 
This e-mail is sent only to a voluntary subscriber list.
If you no longer wish to receive these weekly columns,
write to me personally
waholst@telus.net


*****
 
Dear Friends:

The Special Item this week is my November column
for the Anglican Journal. It represents some of my
first thoughts about South Africa after our recent visit.

I appreciate it when colleagues send me links to
items I may not have seen. That is true this week
as colleague Ed. Schroeder of St. Louis sent me
two articles that I would like to pass on to you.

Thanks, Ed.

I hope you enjoy the other pieces I have gathered
for this issue as well.

A blessed Advent Season to all of you!

Wayne

*****

SPECIAL ITEM

My Special Item this week is my November column
for the Anglican Journal entitled"

"The Promise and Challenges of South Africa"

  https://tinyurl.com/ybe7z399

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

Ed. Schroeder,
St. Louis, MO

November 20th, 2017

Dear Wayne:

If you haven't seen it - an interesting if discouraging article from "The Guardian," - re: Pope Francis and his band of adversaries ...

Ed

The Guardian, UK
October 27th, 2017

"The War Against Pope Francis"
  https://tinyurl.com/ybvq8y9h


-- and again, this one on the church in China

Christianity Today,
November 18th, 2017

"China Tells Christians to Replace
 Images of Jesus with Communist President"
 
https://tinyurl.com/y7vldkay
 
*****
 
COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS
 
Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC
 
Personal Web Log
November 20th, 2017
 
"Beware of Destructive Emotions"
 
https://tinyurl.com/yc4gaps8
 
--
 
Martin Marty,
Chicago, IL
 
Sightings,
November, 20th, 2017
 
 
--
 
John Stackhouse Jr.
Moncton, NB
 
Context,
November 18th, 2018
 
"Is the Term 'Evangelical' Over?
 
https://tinyurl.com/y76oz8qe
 
--
 
Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX
 
Personal Website,
November 20th, 2017
 
"God's Closeness"
 
https://tinyurl.com/ybfxg9pr
 
*****
 
WISDOM OF THE WEEK

You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence     you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory.
 
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver
 
--
 
What we do is very little, but it is like the boy with a few loaves and fishes: Christ took that little and increased it. He will do the rest. What we do is so little we may seem to be constantly failing, but so did Christ fail. He met with apparent failure on the cross. But unless the seed fall into the earth and die, there is no harvest. And why must we see the results? Our work is to sow. Another generation will be reaping the harvest.
 
- Dorothy Day
 
--
 
The attitude that if one serves God only pleasant results will follow reveals a sentimental interpretation of the word “love” (whereas the love of God is strong and powerful). It also shows that one has not faced the facts of history. What about Christ? God certainly guided    him – and that guidance led to the cross. What of the apostles – one       has only to read Acts to see that physical hardship, deprivation,  and imprisonment all resulted from being true to the guidance of God.
 
 - Kathleen Hasenberg
 
--
 
The frightened shepherds become God’s messengers. They organize, make haste, find others, and speak with them. Do we not all want to become shepherds and catch sight of the angel? I think so. Without the perspective of the poor, we see nothing, not even an angel. When we  approach the poor, our values and goals change. The child appears in many other children. Mary also seeks sanctuary among us. Because    the angels sing, the shepherds rise, leave their fears behind, and set  out for Bethlehem, wherever it is situated these days.
 
- Dorothee Soelle
 
*****
 
NET NOTES
 
ZIMBABWE CAN BE BORN AGAIN
Church Commentators Explain Crisis
 
Christianity Today
November 17th, 2017
 
 
--
 
HOW DID MUGABE HOLD ON TO
POWER IN ZIMBABWE FOR SO LONG?
A Brief Review of His Presidency
 
New York Times Short Video
November, 2017
 
 
--
 
RAISING DOUBTS ABOUT EVOLUTION
American Groups Challenge Scientific Theory
 
New York Times Video
November 20th, 2017
 
 
--
 
TURKISH MONKS' LAST BATTLE
Syrian Orthodox Lose Their Monasteries
 
La Croix International
November 21st, 2017
 
 
--
 
RELIGION SCHOLARS TURN ACTIVIST
In the Shadow of Trump Presidency
 
Religion News Service
November 21st, 2017
 
 
--
 
UNITED CHURCH OBSERVER
TO GET NEW EDITOR
Jocelyn Bell Appointed
 
UCC Observer Website
October, 2017
 
 
--
 
VICTIMS OF CANADA'S GAY PURGE
WILL GET APOLOGY FROM TRUDEAU
Admission of Human Rights Violations
 
New York Times
November 21st, 2017
 
 
--
 
FR. JAS. MARTIN IS BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN
CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE LGBT COMMUNITY
His Views are Gaining Acceptance, Even in Boston
 
Boston Globe
November 21st, 2017
 
 
--
 
WILFRID LAURIER GRAD STUDENT
DELIVERS WAKE-UP CALL
Testing Political Correctness
 
Globe and Mail
November 21st, 2017
 
"Two weeks ago, [teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd] was summoned for a reprimand after a student, or students, complained about offensive material she had introduced in class. …What did Ms. Shepherd do? She played a three-minute video clip from a TV program that had been broadcast on TVO. It featured a debate over transgender pronouns.

… Shepherd didn't set out to be a whistle-blower. She simply believes in calling bullshit when she sees it. And what she sees are students and faculty who are shut down or censored if they don't toe the party line. What she sees are burgeoning enforcement apparatuses for speech and conduct that, in the name of 'diversity' and 'equity,' sometimes make genuine academic inquiry all but impossible.
 
What she sees are university leaders who are hostage to the righteous insanities of the day." – Margaret Wente
 
Later this week, Ms. Shepherd was extended an apology from
WLU's president, but Shepherd may not remain at the school
as a result of the incident.

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - Leo Tolstoy

Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.
 
(end)

*****
 
For Those Interested -
 
ST. DAVID'S ACTS MONDAY NIGHT FALL STUDY
A Ten Week Series September 18th - November 27th, 2017
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 
"CONVICTIONS - How I Learned What Matters Most"
 
http://tinyurl.com/ybyu3msx
 
Author: Marcus Borg
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00
 
40 copies of the book have been sold.
35 persons have registered for the course.
 
Classes are going well with strong, enthusiastic attendances.
Read my background information on the study book:http://cep.anglican.ca/convictions/
 
Check our entire archives for all 49 books studied since 2000: http://tinyurl.com/q3bw6dh
 
--
 
During the 2016-2017 two session-term -
Total class registrations: 70
Total books sold: 75
 
Our best year ever, since 1998!
 
***
 
ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Ten Sessions September 21st - December 7th, 2017

Biblical book(s) to be studied this autumn were determined by
the class at the first session of the term, Thursday, Sept. 21st.
 
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN - THE LETTERS OF JOHN
A Study of Similarities and Differences
Ten sessions 10-11 AM

Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.
 
No charge
 
Study resource -
"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
  Edited by John Bowker
 
***
 
ST. DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS EVENT, 2017
 
South Africa was our destination! We planned a nineteen-
day tour that combined a focus on spirituality, social
justice, culture, and nature, and it ran October 21st
thru November 8th.
 
A beautiful brochure with trip cost, itinerary, and
many helpful travel hints was published.
 
Twenty-five persons registered and paid in full to
take the trip. This was our tour group. 
 
All together, thirty-two persons made deposits
but some had to withdraw for health or other
reasons.
 
We have activated a South Africa Spiritual Travelers
discussion list group to and used it to build community
amongst the participants, and to share news and
resources.
 
We will report our experiences to St. David's congregation
as part of the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018.
For information click Rostad Tours:
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
Follow these notices for weekly updates.
 
*****

Saturday 18 November 2017

Colleagues List, November 19th, 2017

Vol. XIII No. 20 

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

 
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: waholst@telus.net

 
This e-mail is sent only to a voluntary subscriber list.
If you no longer wish to receive these weekly columns,
write to me personally
waholst@telus.net


*****

Dear Friends:

We are back ten days from our 19-day trip to South Africa, but jet lag is still lurking for many of us. It was a busy but rewarding experience. I have written a column for the Anglican Journal on our South African experience, and it should appear here next week.

In the meantime, I include as my Special Item today a report of a recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute (thanks colleague!) about current attitudes to religion in Canada.

Probably, the sex abuse scandals and the failure of many Canadian churches to appeal to young people are two of the major reasons for this. The report, though not surprizing in many ways, provokes serious thinking for people of faith in this land. This is both an ecumenical and an inter-faith concern.

Enjoy all the selections below, or at least some of them!

Wayne

*****

SPECIAL ITEM

From the Angus Reid Institute - November 16th, 2017
A current take on how Canadians view religion --

FAITH AND RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC LIFE
Canadians Deeply Divided Over the Role of Faith in the Public Square 

https://tinyurl.com/yadsdslm

While few Canadians view faith communities and their role in society as neither very good or very bad, they are divided at almost 50% on the benefits or the negatives of religion in their society.

These facts differ considerably from a few generations ago and suggest a wake-up call for those who hold faith to be important in Canada.

Please take some time with this article this week.

****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC

Personal Web Log
November 12th, 2017

"Congress and Gun-Makers,
  Accessories to Murder"
  https://tinyurl.com/y8z7d86b


--

Martin Marty,
Chicago. IL

Sightings,
November 13th, 2017

"Calvin, for a Change"
  
https://tinyurl.com/y9o9zutg


--

Harry Winter,
St. Paul, MN

US Oblate Website
September 13th, 2017

"US Oblates and the 50th Anniversary"
  of Charismatic Renewal
 
 https://tinyurl.com/ycqhflsg


--

Tom Ryan,
Boston, MA

The Boston Pilot,
November 17th, 2017

"Hindu-Catholic National Dialogue
  on Love Thy Neighbour"
  
https://tinyurl.com/y7cog372


--

Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX

Personal Web Site
November13th, 2017

"A Threat to Our Decency"
  
https://tinyurl.com/ydd4m5nn


*****

NET NOTES

TRUMP'S SPIRITUAL ADVISOR PAULA WHITE

She Claims She Brought Him to Christ

Washington Post.
November 14th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/y8fqanj2


--

OUTRAGE - THE NEW NORMAL
A Canadian Perspective on Trump

United Church Observer
November

 
https://tinyurl.com/y9sw7tge

--

A LOOK INSIDE WARTBURG CASTLE
Where Luther Translated New Testament

The Christian Post
November 13th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/y9hnv6hw


--

CAN WE RECLAIM THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS?
From Platitude to Action

The Christian Century,
November 7th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/y78jfa48


--

PRIEST MEDIATING MUGABE'S DEPARTURE
A Long-Time Spiritual Advisor to the President

Religion News Service
November 15th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/y9ggbobg


--

CHRISTIAN WOMEN COMING OF AGE IN INDIA
But Conservative Traditions Remain Influential

UCA News
November 17th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/ybh43zf3


--

MERTON AND NOUWEN LEFT TRAILS TO FOLLOW
Spiritual Seekers Find in Them Meaning and Support

National Catholic Reporter
November 17th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/ycav28mz


--

AFRICA HAS BEEN FAILED BY WESTERNIZATION
It Must Cast Off It's Subservience - Comment

The Guardian,
November 12th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/yb7npupe


--

ARE AMERICAN EVANGELICALS LOSING
THE GOSPEL IN OUR DAY?
An Assessment of Compromise

Christianity Today,
November 2017

https://tinyurl.com/yc9g7tux


--

THE  GROWING INFLUENCE OF
ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS IN ISREAL
A Looming Threat to Democracy

La Croix International
November 14th, 2017

https://tinyurl.com/ybjchwtf


*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

You are not weak just because your heart feels so heavy.

- Andrea Gibson

--

My humanity is bound up in yours for we can only be human together. 

- Desmond Tutu 

--


We do not grow tired of eating and sleeping day after day, because hunger and fatigue return; without them, we should be bored. It would be the same without hunger for spiritual things; we should be bored. 

- Blaise Pascal

--l

To be right with God is to be right with the universe; one with the power, the love, the will of the mighty Father, the cherisher of joy, the Lord of laughter, whose are all glories, all hopes, who loves everything, and hates nothing but selfishness, which he will not have in his kingdom. 

- George MacDonald

--

Christ chose to be the socially insignificant one. The fact that he descended from heaven to take upon himself the form of a servant is not an accident which now is to be thrust into the background and forgotten. No, every true follower of Christ must express existentially the very same thing – that insignificance and offense are inseparable from being a Christian. 

As soon as the least bit of worldly advantage is gained by preaching or following Christ, then the fox is in the chicken house. 

- Søren Kierkegaard

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - Albert Einstein

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. 

- Albert Einstein 

(end)

*****


For Those Interested -

ST. DAVID'S ACTS MONDAY NIGHT FALL STUDY

A Ten Week Series September 18th - November 27th, 2017
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

"
CONVICTIONS - How I Learned What Matters Most"
  http://tinyurl.com/ybyu3msx


Author: Marcus Borg
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00

40 copies of the book have been sold.
35 persons have registered for the course.

Classes are going well with strong, enthusiastic attendances.
Read my background information on the study book:
http://cep.anglican.ca/convictions/

Check our entire archives for all 49 books studied since 2000:
http://tinyurl.com/q3bw6dh

--

During the 2016-2017 two session-term -
Total class registrations: 70
Total books sold: 75

Our best year ever, since 1998!


***
 

ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

Ten Sessions September 21st - November 30th, 2017
Biblical book(s) to be studied this autumn were determined by

the class at the first session of the term, Thursday, Sept. 21st.

 
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN - THE LETTERS OF JOHN
A Study of Similarities and Differences

Ten sessions 10-11 AM
Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.

No charge

Study resource -

"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
  Edited by John Bowker


http://tinyurl.com/odxlv7q

***

ST. DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS EVENT, 2017

South Africa was our destination! We planned a nineteen-

day tour that combined a focus on spirituality, social
justice, culture, and nature, and it ran October 21st 
thru November 8th.

A beautiful brochure with trip cost, itinerary, and
many helpful travel hints was published.

http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7

Twenty-five persons registered and paid in full to

take the trip. This was our tour group. 
 
All together, thirty-two persons made deposits
but some had to withdraw for health or other
reasons.
 
We have activated a South Africa Spiritual Travelers
discussion list group to and used it to build community
amongst the participants, and to share news and
resources.

We will report our experiences to St. David's congregation
as part of the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018.

For information click Rostad Tours: http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7

Follow these notices for weekly updates.

*****