GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
ASH WEDNESDAY - BEGINNING OF LENT EDITION
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: wholst@telus.net
This email 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:
I entitle my Special Item "My Lenten Preparation this Year"
for those who do not have a particular discipline or who may
find the practices they follow to be less than satisfying.
That is not to say that my ideas will work for you, but I do
want to suggest that, like me, you may wish to develop
some meditational design for yourself.
The rest of this letter takes the form of other issues of Colleagues List, except, of course, that the content changes
each week.
Thanks for your comments in response to my recognition
of colleague Martin Marty in last week's issue.
https://tinyurl.com/ydfdynh5
*****
SPECIAL ITEM
MY LENTEN PREPARATION THIS YEAR
A Few Personal Suggestions
The observation of Lent is a period of self-examination and spiritual discipline prior to the celebration of the resurrection at Easter. It is not the most popular activity of Christians in my circles as it once was. I suspect that it tended to lose favour because the message most people received from their church involvement was "what are you giving up for Lent?" and in a self-centered society such as our own, that is not something many want to consider.
However, self-examination and spiritual discipline is not a bad thing - especially for these times. Because I believe there are still people who would like some encouragement to conduct such activity, I would like to tell you about three activities I plan to engage for those weeks prior to Easter this year.
Reading
I introduced the book "Gift and Task - A Year of Daily Readings and Reflections" by Walter Brueggemann in the September 17th, 2017 edition of Colleagues List.
Here is a repeat of that presentation:
https://tinyurl.com/y8ca5rju
The book is actually a yearlong set of reflections which combine daily readings from both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.
I have been doing the reading since the first Sunday of Advent in early December and intend to spend special time with his writings from pages 83-123 of the book - Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
.
Like Brueggemann, I am convinced that the renewal of individual lives and of Christian communities is tied to a discipline of scripture-reading and reflection on the basic teachings of Jesus and the Bible.
Music
The is a lot of good music out there. You just have to search the right places. For me, a great location is to google Youtube and "Bach Lenten Choral Selections": https://tinyurl.com/yb9stmvl
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
ASH WEDNESDAY - BEGINNING OF LENT EDITION
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: wholst@telus.net
This email 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:
I entitle my Special Item "My Lenten Preparation this Year"
for those who do not have a particular discipline or who may
find the practices they follow to be less than satisfying.
That is not to say that my ideas will work for you, but I do
want to suggest that, like me, you may wish to develop
some meditational design for yourself.
The rest of this letter takes the form of other issues of Colleagues List, except, of course, that the content changes
each week.
Thanks for your comments in response to my recognition
of colleague Martin Marty in last week's issue.
https://tinyurl.com/ydfdynh5
*****
SPECIAL ITEM
MY LENTEN PREPARATION THIS YEAR
A Few Personal Suggestions
The observation of Lent is a period of self-examination and spiritual discipline prior to the celebration of the resurrection at Easter. It is not the most popular activity of Christians in my circles as it once was. I suspect that it tended to lose favour because the message most people received from their church involvement was "what are you giving up for Lent?" and in a self-centered society such as our own, that is not something many want to consider.
However, self-examination and spiritual discipline is not a bad thing - especially for these times. Because I believe there are still people who would like some encouragement to conduct such activity, I would like to tell you about three activities I plan to engage for those weeks prior to Easter this year.
Reading
I introduced the book "Gift and Task - A Year of Daily Readings and Reflections" by Walter Brueggemann in the September 17th, 2017 edition of Colleagues List.
Here is a repeat of that presentation:
https://tinyurl.com/y8ca5rju
The book is actually a yearlong set of reflections which combine daily readings from both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.
I have been doing the reading since the first Sunday of Advent in early December and intend to spend special time with his writings from pages 83-123 of the book - Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
.
Like Brueggemann, I am convinced that the renewal of individual lives and of Christian communities is tied to a discipline of scripture-reading and reflection on the basic teachings of Jesus and the Bible.
Music
The is a lot of good music out there. You just have to search the right places. For me, a great location is to google Youtube and "Bach Lenten Choral Selections": https://tinyurl.com/yb9stmvl
For a pittance it is possible to select some excellent devotional music by the great German composer J.S. Bach, who believed that writing music for the church was a special calling. Bach created many good works for choirs in a congregational, liturgical setting and his special Lenten compositions are easy to locate and to select from global sources.
You may wish to listen to his chorales and other pieces while engaged in devotional reading. Or, you may read and listen as distinct practices.
I like to do both together because they tend to reinforce each other. My music selections may not be for you; why not make your own choices?
Silence
Many people find meaning in short or longer times away from regular routines. They make it a practice to go to a retreat centre that is focused on providing spiritual disciplines of various duration.
Our congregation in Calgary is blessed to have a number of retreat centres to choose from. We have made it a tradition, however, to spend one Sunday in early Lent each year at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane, just west of town: http://www.mountstfrancis.ca/
Our people appreciate a silent meal together, and then some guidance in personal reflection by a trained retreat-master Susan (watch her video). She belongs to the Franciscan community there.
If the weather cooperates, we spend part of the time doing some contemplative walking in the community grounds.
Integrated Lenten Spiritual Engagement
Meditational reading, music and silent retreat are three ways I try to follow an integrated Lenten spiritual activity between Ash Wednesday and Easter. You may follow other disciplines and please do so! The main thing is to make an intentional effort to engage one or more practices, separately or together, to grow spiritually in your faith during Lent.
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
Martin Marty,
The Marty Center
University of Chicago
Sightings,
February 8th, 2018
"Marty, Teacher"
https://tinyurl.com/yapaf5bb
--
Mark Whittall,
Ottawa, ON.
Sermons and Blog,
February 3rd, 2018
"Raised to Serve"
https://tinyurl.com/ydbzj8d5
Mark has just won an international publishing award.
Click and see under "Ministry and Mission - Gold"
http://tinyurl.com/ybqem3ud
--
Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC
Personal Web Log
February 4th, 2018
"What You Believe Affects What You Do"
https://tinyurl.com/y9ons6o5
--
Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX
Personal Web Site
February 5th, 2018
"Faith and Superstition"
https://tinyurl.com/ya2fzcjb
*****
NET NOTES
JEHOVAH WITNESSES COVERUP
Victims Step Forward, Reveal Abuses
United Church Observer,
January, 2017
https://tinyurl.com/yd8r4ssb
--
#METOO - MOMENT OR MOVEMENT?
Angus Reid Canadian Survey Results
Angus Reid Opinion
February 9th, 2018
http://angusreid.org/me-too/
--
CHURCH SENIORS HAVE MUCH TO OFFER
Valuing the Greying of Canada!
Anglican Journal, Tess Sisson, Editor
February 8th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/ydghhwdb
--
THE JOYOUS SOLITUDE OF EARLY HERMITS
What TheyTeach Us About Being Alone
Religion News Service,
February 9th, 2018
The Marty Center
University of Chicago
Sightings,
February 8th, 2018
"Marty, Teacher"
https://tinyurl.com/yapaf5bb
--
Mark Whittall,
Ottawa, ON.
Sermons and Blog,
February 3rd, 2018
"Raised to Serve"
https://tinyurl.com/ydbzj8d5
Mark has just won an international publishing award.
Click and see under "Ministry and Mission - Gold"
http://tinyurl.com/ybqem3ud
--
Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC
Personal Web Log
February 4th, 2018
"What You Believe Affects What You Do"
https://tinyurl.com/y9ons6o5
--
Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX
Personal Web Site
February 5th, 2018
"Faith and Superstition"
https://tinyurl.com/ya2fzcjb
*****
NET NOTES
JEHOVAH WITNESSES COVERUP
Victims Step Forward, Reveal Abuses
United Church Observer,
January, 2017
https://tinyurl.com/yd8r4ssb
--
#METOO - MOMENT OR MOVEMENT?
Angus Reid Canadian Survey Results
Angus Reid Opinion
February 9th, 2018
http://angusreid.org/me-too/
--
CHURCH SENIORS HAVE MUCH TO OFFER
Valuing the Greying of Canada!
Anglican Journal, Tess Sisson, Editor
February 8th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/ydghhwdb
--
THE JOYOUS SOLITUDE OF EARLY HERMITS
What TheyTeach Us About Being Alone
Religion News Service,
February 9th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y8ru4ltxwa
--
INDIA SLIDES DOWN THE DEMOCRACY INDEX
Activists Worry About the Nation's Future
UCA News,
February 7th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y8d84bgr
--
TEN EVANGELICAL CLERGY SCANDALS IN 2017
More Abuse and Infidelity Coming to Light
A Canadian Evangelical Report
Christian Week
February 5th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/yapqvh28wa
--
WHAT CONSERVATIVE PROTESTANTS
CAN LEARN FROM GEORGE LINDBECK
His Death Was Announced Last Week
Christianity Today,
February 7th, 2018
tinyurl.com/ybcanym8
--
PASTOR SET TO BECOME PRESIDENT
OF COSTA RICA THIS SPRING
Previously, a TV News Journalist
La Croix International,
February 7th, 2018
--
CAPETOWN WATER SHORTAGE PROMPTS
FAITH GROUP RESPONSE
Religion News Service,
February 7th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y7se3yao
--
UPDATE ON SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS
South African President Jacob Zuma's time in power
appears to be coming to an end
Globe and Mail
February 8th, 2018
There has been plenty of speculation this week over
when, exactly, Zuma will relinquish his position. Cyril
Ramaphosa took over from Zuma as leader of the
African National Congress party in December on a
promise to pursue an anti-corruption agenda.
Ramaphosa says he anticipates a "speedy resolution"
to transition talks with Zuma. Some are worried that
Zuma is working to secure a deal that would provide
him with immunity from prosecution.
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
From Sojourners and the Bruderhof online:
I conceive of God, in fact, as a means of liberation
and not a means to control others.
- James Baldwin
--
My potential is more than can be expressed within
the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.
- Arthur Ashe
--
As long as people use tactics to oppress or restrict
other people from being free, there is work to be done.
- Rosa Parks
--
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who
profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation,
are men who want crops without plowing up the ground;
they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want
the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. ...
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did
and it never will.
- Frederick Douglass
--
What happens to all my prayers – those that are not
answered, and those that seem to make things worse
than anyone ever anticipated? Surely they are still
sustaining me. Perhaps there will be unexpected
answers to them, answers I may not even be aware
of for years. I cannot believe they are wasted or lost.
I do not know where they have gone, but I believe
God holds them, hand outstretched to receive them
like precious pearls.
- Madeleine L’Engle
--
Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an
enemy of God just because he is your enemy.
Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can
find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps
he fears you because he can find nothing in you of
God’s love and God’s kindness and God’s patience
and mercy and understanding of the weaknesses of
people.
Do not be too quick to condemn people who no longer
believe in God, for it is perhaps your own coldness and
avarice, your mediocrity and materialism, your sensuality
and selfishness that have killed their faith.
- Thomas Merton
--
I conceive of God, in fact, as a means of liberation
and not a means to control others.
- James Baldwin
--
My potential is more than can be expressed within
the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.
- Arthur Ashe
--
As long as people use tactics to oppress or restrict
other people from being free, there is work to be done.
- Rosa Parks
--
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who
profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation,
are men who want crops without plowing up the ground;
they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want
the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. ...
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did
and it never will.
- Frederick Douglass
--
What happens to all my prayers – those that are not
answered, and those that seem to make things worse
than anyone ever anticipated? Surely they are still
sustaining me. Perhaps there will be unexpected
answers to them, answers I may not even be aware
of for years. I cannot believe they are wasted or lost.
I do not know where they have gone, but I believe
God holds them, hand outstretched to receive them
like precious pearls.
- Madeleine L’Engle
--
Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an
enemy of God just because he is your enemy.
Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can
find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps
he fears you because he can find nothing in you of
God’s love and God’s kindness and God’s patience
and mercy and understanding of the weaknesses of
people.
Do not be too quick to condemn people who no longer
believe in God, for it is perhaps your own coldness and
avarice, your mediocrity and materialism, your sensuality
and selfishness that have killed their faith.
- Thomas Merton
--
Every day of our lives is like a precious diamond. We
may have wasted countless days already in idle and
selfish pursuits, so that they are now lost in the depths
of the past. But let us at least awake now, see the value
of the days that remain, and use them to acquire spiritual
wealth. If we use them in selfless service to God and if
we use them to warn others who are still frivolously
throwing away their days in pursuit of fleeting pleasures,
then we will gain the boundless treasure of heavenly bliss.
- Sadhu Sundar Singh
--
There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For
peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and
can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security.
To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself.
Peace means giving oneself completely to God’s
commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and
obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the
hand of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish
purposes. Battles are won, not with weapons, but
with God. They are won where the way leads to the cross.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
--
This terrible individualism must inevitably have an end,
and all will suddenly understand how unnaturally they
have separated themselves from one another. It will be
the spirit of the time, and people will marvel that they
have sat so long in darkness without seeing the light.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will be seen in the
heavens.…But until then we must keep the banner flying.
Sometimes, even if he has to do it alone and his conduct
seems to be crazy, a man must set an example and so
draw men’s souls out of their solitude and spur them to
some act of brotherly love, so that the great idea may die.
- Fyodor Dostoyevsky
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT - Dorothy Day
The sense of futility is one of the greatest evils of
the day.… People say, “What can one person do?
What is the sense of our small effort?” They cannot
see that we can only lay one brick at a time, take
one step at a time; we can be responsible only for
the one action of the present moment.
(end)
*****
For Those Interested -
NOT IN GOD'S NAME - Confronting Religious Violence
42 copies of the book have been secured and all
have been sold.35 persons have registered for the
course. Others are reading it alone or in another
small study group.
Read my background information on this study
ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Ten Sessions January 18th - March 29th, 2018
Thursday morning sessions 10-11 AM
This term we are studying:
THE NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS OF PETER (and)
THE GNOSTIC GOSPEL OF PETER (A non-canonical text)
Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.
For Those Interested -
ST. DAVID'S ACTS MONDAY NIGHT WINTER STUDY
A Ten Week Series January 22nd - March 26th, 2018
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
NOT IN GOD'S NAME - Confronting Religious Violence
Author: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00
42 copies of the book have been secured and all
have been sold.35 persons have registered for the
course. Others are reading it alone or in another
small study group.
This series is already going well with strong,
enthusiastic attendances.
enthusiastic attendances.
Read my background information on this study
--
During the 2016-2017 two session-term there were
class registrations of 70 and total books sold: 75
2017 was our best year ever, since we began in 1998!
class registrations of 70 and total books sold: 75
2017 was our best year ever, since we began in 1998!
ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Ten Sessions January 18th - March 29th, 2018
Thursday morning sessions 10-11 AM
This term we are studying:
THE NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS OF PETER (and)
THE GNOSTIC GOSPEL OF PETER (A non-canonical text)
Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.
No charge
15 persons make up our study group.
15 persons make up our study group.
Study resource -
"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
Edited by John Bowker
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.
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 reported our experiences to St. David's congregation
as a travel group reflection during the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018. For information click Rostad Tours:
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 reported our experiences to St. David's congregation
as a travel group reflection during the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018. For information click Rostad Tours:
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
This marks the end of our South African travel project.
***
Lenten Notice:
ANNUAL ST. DAVID'S LENTEN RETREAT
AT MT. ST. FRANCIS COCHRANE
Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 11:30 A - 4:00P
Theme: Encountering a Sacred Intimacy With God"
Spiritual Director: Susan Campbell
Want to register? Conact Wayne waholst@telus.net
*****
This marks the end of our South African travel project.
***
Lenten Notice:
ANNUAL ST. DAVID'S LENTEN RETREAT
AT MT. ST. FRANCIS COCHRANE
Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 11:30 A - 4:00P
Theme: Encountering a Sacred Intimacy With God"
Spiritual Director: Susan Campbell
Want to register? Conact Wayne waholst@telus.net
*****
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