Saturday, March 9, 2013

Colleagues List, March 10th, 2013

Vol. VIII No. 22

*****

Wayne A. Holst, Editor

My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net

*****

Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

"Quicklinks" are included with many items.
Otherwise, scroll down to find your selection
in the body of the blog.

*****

Dear Friends:

I was unable to produce an issue of
Colleagues List last weekend because of
the time and energy expended in having
colleague Mary Jo Leddy of Romero House,
Toronto with us in Calgary.

To compensate this week, I include a
special item entitled:

Thoughts on "Welcoming the Stranger" -
A Weekend With Colleague Mary Jo Leddy

- and it contains some of the special
discoveries I made from many presenters
during those special three days.

I hope you enjoy it.

--

Colleague Comment - this week is from a friend
from the early years of my ministry in the old
Lutheran Church in America - Canada Section.
Barry Bence was a pastor with me in the province
of Manitoba, and we have not had contact for
thrity-five years! Nice to hear from you again,
Barry! I've added you to our mailing list!

--

Colleagues and their themes this week:

Jim Taylor -
"Archives Reduce Society's Amnesia"
http://tinyurl.com/d3azegt

Ron Rolheiaser -
"Honoring an Abundant and Prodigal God"
http://tinyurl.com/b3329jo

My thanks to both of you.!

--

Net Notes:

"R-Rated Bible" - some suggestions on
how to introduce difficult concepts from
the biblical narrative to children today
(The Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/be6h7fy

"Revolutionary Iran - here is a review
of a good history of Iran since the
fall of the Shah in 1979 (The Tablet, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/b6hp2se

"The Bible - TV Series" - a new series on
the History Channel is receiving rave reviews
(Sojourners) http://tinyurl.com/b47tdcr

NT Wright - 'Simply Jesus' - the famous
evangelical Anglican bishop and educator
from the UK talks about his new book on
Jesus (Englewood Review of Books)
http://tinyurl.com/bhx3oxg

"A Pope for a Global Church" - a dean of
American Cardinals, wrote before his death
about the kind of pope his Catholic Church
needs today (America Magazine)
 http://tinyurl.com/akgdecz

"Quellet: Others Could Do Better" - he is
a modest man who has no great papal
aspirations (Reuters Canada)
http://tinyurl.com/a5tsrdn

"Cardinal Says Sorry for Sexual Misconduct" -
O'Brien of Scotland withdraws from the
conclave as he admits to wrong-doing
(Irish Times, The Guardian)
http://tinyurl.com/brkl37e
http://tinyurl.com/boqskga

"Canadian Anglicans/Lutherans to Meet Together"
- this summer, these two denominations will
hold their assemblies at the same time and
place - Ottawa, holding several joint sessions
(Anglican Journal) http://tinyurl.com/avtsm3c

"Will Catholicism Change Its Stance on Celibacy?"
- the question is bound to surface as a new
pontiff is selected by a conclave in the Sistine
Chapel, Rome, which convenes this week (Pantheos)
http://tinyurl.com/avtsm3c

--

Wisdom of the Week, an eclectic collection,
is offered as usual:

Catherine Booth, Pandita Ramabai, Plato,
Martin Luther King Jr; Eugene Cho and
St. Augustine share insights with us.

--

On this Day:

Newsworthy events between Feb. 25th - Mar. 10th:

Here are three stories provided from the archives
of the New York Times -

First Mass Immunization for Polio
http://tinyurl.com/ass76pj

Churchill Gives 'Iron Curtain' Speech
http://tinyurl.com/bzc5eoj

Russian Revolution Begins in St. Petersburg
http://tinyurl.com/axgelxa

--

Closing Thought:

Again this week colleague Isabel Gibson
of Ottawa writes of special gifts.

This time, her theme is "humility"
http://tinyurl.com/b6z2etn

---

Lent is soon ending. Holy Week and
Easter will be upon us in just about
two weeks!

Blessings,

Wayne

******

Wayne's Study Programs:

ST. DAVID'S AND UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES

St. David's and ACTS Ministry -

Our Spiritual Travelers Tour for 2013
TURKEY AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THIS TOUR HAS 26 MEMBERS AND WILL
DEPART APRIL 23rd, 2013 (17 days)

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

---

The tour book will include reflection pages
with the itinerary as well as answers to many
traveller's questions.

Your tour hosts:

Marlene and Wayne Holst
waholst@telusplanet.net (or)
marleneaholst@gmail.com
403-286-7416

*****

OUR WINTER AND SPRING 2013 STUDY PROGRAMS

With more to be announced -

AT ST.DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"WELCOMING THE STRANGER" WEEKEND AT ST. DAVID'S

THIS EVENT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL!

Friday March 1st - Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

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.

See Reflections on this event,
Colleagues List, March 10th, 2013.

*****

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY

THIS STUDY IS NEARING COMPLETION!

From Monday, January 14th
through Monday, March 26th.
7:00 - 9:00 PM TM Room.

We close, March 25th, holding a phone
conference call with Mary Jo Leddy
in Toronto to reflect on her books
and her weekend with us.

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

We have a few remaining copies
of "The Other Face of God" and
have sold a total of 110 copies
of Mary Jo's books at St.David's.
If interested, call the office
403-284-2279.

*****

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

"Wisdom in the Books of Song of Solomon
 and Ecclesiastes"

Thursday, January 17th - April 11th, 2013

THIS SERIES HAS BEGUN!!
Drop-ins welcome.

All welcome. No cost.

*****

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

THIS COURSE WILL SOON BE COMPLETED!!

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

---

THIS COURSE IS UNDERWAY!!

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

THOUGHTS ON "WELCOMING THE STRANGER" -
A WEEKEND WITH MARY JO LEDDY

We at St. David's United Church and the
University of Calgary were privileged to
sponsor a weekend, March 1st-3rd, 2013 with
author, professor, and founder of Romero House
in Toronto - colleague Mary Jo Leddy.

The following is a collection of discoveries
and insights gathered from that weekend. They
do not all come from Mary Jo. We heard an
excellent panel discuss current government
immigration policy; we learned about the
extensive work of a number of organizations
serving immigrants and refugees in Calgary;
and we rejoiced at the "success stories' of
guests who told us how they become Canadians.

Mary Jo herself was a panel member, and gave
a dinner speech as well as a worship meditation
during her three-day stay.

We appreciated the contributions of Fariborz
Birjandian, Antoinette Godbout, Sultana Assar
and Patricia Gallagher of the Calgary Catholic
Immigration Society. We enjoyed the fine
contributions of Bill Phipps, former moderator
of the United Church of Canada, Bob Liddle,
member of St. David's, and Angelo Dut (with
friends) from the 20,000-member Calgary
Sudanese community.

We were grateful for the support of Abe Janzen
of the Mennonite Central Committee and from
representatives of the Centre for Newcomers
and the Calgary Women's Immigrant Society.

We appreciated the support of many from our
congregation who cooked and served as program
and worship supporters during those days.

--

What then are some of the insights gathered
as rich fodder for my continuing reflection?

"Remember that you, too, were strangers in
 the land of Egypt" (Lev. 19:33-34.)

"In truth I tell you that, in so far as you
 served one of the least of these, brothers
and sisters of mine, you served me"
(Mt. 25:40.)

1. If you want to begin doing something,
even just a small contribution - get to
know a refugee. There are many agencies
helping newcomers to Calgary. Start with
the people who have experience working
with them. They can provide support.

2. Find a person you come to care about
and learn to see the world through their
own eyes.

3. We live in a culture that does not
pay attention to ordinary happenings.
Paying attention - is a fundamental gift.

4. Assimilate, don't try to integrate.
The model of our Canadian society (the
mosaic) helps newcomers move gradually,
and at their own pace, into the mainstream.
That is the meaning of assimilation.

5. Get to know the stories of your own
ancestors. Chances are, there are in our
family trees stories not unlike those of
people coming to Canada today.

6. Develop a sense of astonishment for
you life and the wonderful gifts that
are offered us daily.

7. Perform consistent acts of fidelity,
over time, and sense how small steps can
lead ultimately to big accomplishments
for others, as well as for oneself.

8. Come to peace with who you are and
what you have. Our lives - no matter how
insignificant we think they are - are a
unique gift from God. Knowing this allows us
to connect meaningfully with other's lives
which may seem at first to be insignificant.

9. The warmth of the welcome is the
decisive factor for any immigrant or refugee.

10. Satisfaction comes to us as we see
newcomers begin to discover a new life
for themselves. The church continues to
be one of the best situated places in
our society for 'welcoming the stranger.'

---

These and many other thoughts from the
past weekend have stayed with me since
then. I suppose they will continue to
inspire and challenge me to do good things
for new Canadian friends in the days ahead.

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT:

... I recently found your (Colleagues List)
website and almost right away I connected
to a treasure... It was good to hear the
interview (February 17th, 2013) with the
family and friends of Fr. Henri Nouwen...
My worship leadership is now focused at
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Brunkild, MB.
... your blog is great and I hope that
you and your family are doing well.

- Pastor Barry Bence

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

Personal Blog
March 3rd, 2013

"Archives Reduce Society's Amnesia"

http://tinyurl.com/d3azegt

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

Personal Website
March 3rd, 2013

"Honoring an Abundant and Prodigal God"

http://tinyurl.com/b3329jo

*****

NET NOTES

R-RATED BIBLE
How to Read it With Children

The Christian Century
March 5th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/be6h7fy

--

REVOLUTIONARY IRAN
History of Islamic Republic

The Tablet, UK
March 9th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/b6hp2se

--

'THE BIBLE' TV SERIES
Invitation to Change the World

Sojourners
March 7th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/b47tdcr

--

N.T. WRIGHT ON 'SIMPLY JESUS'
He Discusses His New Book

Englewood Review of Books
Video Interview
March 1st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/bhx3oxg

--

A POPE FOR A GLOBAL CHURCH
Senior American Cardinal's View

America Magazine
March 18th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/akgdecz

--

OUELLET: OTHERS COULD DO BETTER JOB
Modest Canadian Papal 'Candidate'

Reuters Canada
March 4th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/a5tsrdn

--

CARDINAL APOLOGIZES FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Misconduct Occurred Early in His Career

Irish Times
March 4th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/brkl37e

O'Brien Admits and Apologizes

The Guardian,
March 3rd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/boqskga

--

CANADIAN ANGLICANS, LUTHERANS TO MEET TOGETHER
They Will Hold Their 2013 Assemblies in Ottawa

Anglican Jourtnal
March 8th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/avtsm3c

--

WILL CATHOLICISM EVER CHANGE ITS STANCE ON CELIBACY?
The Election of a New Pope Revisits the Question

Pantheos
February 28th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/byphele

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Cast off all bonds of prejudice and custom,
and let the love of Christ, which is in you,
have free course to run out in all conceivable
schemes and methods of labor for the souls of
[people].

- Catherine Booth

--

People must not only hear about the kingdom
of God,but must see it in actual operation on
a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form,
but a real demonstration nevertheless.

- Pandita Ramabai

--

Knowledge without justice ought to be called
cunning rather than wisdom.

- Plato

--

The richer we have become materially, the poorer
we have become morally and spiritually. We have
learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in
the sea like fish, but we have not learned the
simple art of living together as brothers and
sisters.


- Martin Luther King, Jr.

--

We can’t change the whole world, but we can
impact the world of some.

You can make a difference. Do what you can
and do it well.

- Eugene Cho

--

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty
but organized robbery?

- Augustine

*****

ON THIS DAY

Provided from the archives
of the New York Times

First mass inoculation of children against
polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh.
http://tinyurl.com/ass76pj

Churchill Gives Iron Curtain Speech in America
http://tinyurl.com/bzc5eoj

Russian Revolution Begins in St. Petersburg
http://tinyurl.com/axgelxa

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - ISABEL GIBSON

The Gift of Humility

In the spirit of surprises, it turns out that
the Hippocratic Oath does not include these words:
First, do no harm.  Maybe the reason so many think
it does is that the injunction is both pertinent
and pithy.  Indeed, it neatly encapsulates the gift
of humility, at least as it relates to our outcomes,
medical and otherwise.  We charge about, convinced
that we are doing good: merely ‘avoiding harm’ seems
like a low standard to which to aspire.  Yet within
our polities, organizations, and relationships, we
can see how easy it is to make things worse by acting
with insufficient information or with insufficient
attention.  May we act or refrain from action in
humble awareness of that fact, every day.

http://tinyurl.com/b6z2etn

Check out Isabel's Blog "Traditinal Iconoclast"
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/

(end)




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