Saturday, July 27, 2013

Colleagues List, July 28th, 2013

Vol IX No.2.

****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

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:

This week I introduce a book that is a
bit different from many you encounter
here.

It is entitled "How Maps Change Things"
and it helps me connect with two
colleagues, Jim Taylor of British Columbia
and Art Bauer of New Jersey.

I think you will enjoy this book.

http://tinyurl.com/ls6rfbs
http://tinyurl.com/n72wfaf

--

Colleague Comment:

This week we hear briefly from
Trudy Fisk of Calgary who was
part of our Monday Night Book
Studies for many years.

--

Colleague Contributions:

This week -

John Stackhouse Jr, of Vancouver
http://tinyurl.com/mduqs6j

Doug Koop, of Winnipeg
http://tinyurl.com/nxllmj6

Martin Marty, of Chicago
http://tinyurl.com/mqy58jv

Ron Rolheiser, of San Antonio
http://tinyurl.com/kcbc4h4

--

Net Notes:

"Anglican Hails Mandela's 95th" -
the primate sends his good wishes
on the occasion of a great man's
birthday (Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/mzl5347

"Francis S, Collins Interviewed" -
an evangelical Christian with an
important American scientific position
talks to the New York Times
(NYT Review of Books)
http://tinyurl.com/mlpusnr

"Flooding Disaster in Northern India" -
for those who thought Calgary and
Southern Alberta were bad, here is
a much more tragic flood story
(UCA News) http://tinyurl.com/q5k7jr8

"The Tragic Legacy of Orissa State" -
The Indian State in the northeastern
part of the country continues to suffer
(UCA News) http://tinyurl.com/ofro53e

"Francis Comes to Brazil Modestly" -
the papal visit is the pope's first, to
a neighbouring South American nation.
Here are several reports this week
(NY Times, National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/kneb5ep
http://tinyurl.com/n88yw8x

"Brazil's Changing Religious Ethos" -
this nation, once almost totally Catholic
is losing a growing percentage of it
population to evangelical Protestants
(Pew Forum Website)
http://tinyurl.com/mmwd65c

"Vatican Issues Time Off Purgatory" -
the announcement about the papal
trip, purgatory and tweets sets off
a media frenzy - including these
(Guardian UK, Globe and Mail, CNN)
http://tinyurl.com/map4vtn
http://tinyurl.com/ljpvbra
http://tinyurl.com/n93rt4h

"How the Church Fails the Divorced" -
an important article for many, including
those in ministry with which I can also
identify personally (Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/o884gjy

"Some Mormons Search, Find Doubt" -
a leader of the Mormon Church in
Sweden is interviewed, and his story
published (New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/k549ffc

"Indian Christians Lose Faith in Congress" -
many hoped that the return of the classic
Indian secularist party to power would bring
a reduction in religious persecution
(UCA News) http://tinyurl.com/ku853pl

"Legacy of the American Protestant Mainline"
- a helpful article on how the Mainline
Protestant tradition has contributed much
to the development of life in the USA
(New York Times) http://tinyurl.com/ldjwfby

--

Wisdom of the Week:

Provided by Sojourners Online -

This week we hear from -

Don Samuel, Flannery O'Connor, Albert Luthuli
Dorothy Day, Madeleine L'Engle, Simone Weil
Joan Chittister and D.H. Lawrence
(see quotes, below)

--

On This Day:

July 14th - 27th

Russian Czar, Family, Killed by Bolsheviks
http://tinyurl.com/kznsd64

Spanish Civil War Begins
http://tinyurl.com/lg2h5xj

Churchill Launches VE Day
http://tinyurl.com/knmvz5p

"Monkey Trial" Ends in Conviction
http://tinyurl.com/cnqvw

Korean War Ends With Armistice
http://tinyurl.com/ln5z2w

--

Closing Thought:

This week Desmond Tutu concludes the mailing
with a helpful quote on what it means to preach
the Gospel (see quote, below)

--

Summer greetings to those of you in
the global North! I return in two weeks.

Wayne

*****

UPCOMING ACTIVITY AT THE CHURCH -

TURKEY TOUR

REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION
St. David's United Church, Calgary

Sunday, September 8th, 2013
10:00 AM

Members of the tour will present
thoughts on their experiences
in April and May of this year.
(more to follow)

*****

MY AUTUMN PROGRAMS AT
THE CHURCH AND UNIVERSITY

FALL MONDAY NIGHT STUDY
ST. DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"Immortal Diamond - The Search
 for the True Self"" by Richard Rohr

Description of the Book:
http://tinyurl.com/n9ymr59

Mondays, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 16th - November 25th, 2013

Team Taught With Jock McTavish
Books on sale at the church Sunday, August 26th
Registration, Hospitality and Book - $50.00
Book only - $20.

*****

FALL TUESDAY NIGHT UNIVERSITY COURSE

"Heresies and Heretics" -
 Encountering the Early Church Controversies
 by Bart Ehrmann

Tuesday, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 24th - December 3rd, 2013
(no class, October 7th)

Description and Registration Info:
http://tinyurl.com/qcs6hx7

Jock McTavish will offer two video sessions
to complement the series

--

Coming this Winter:

"The Evolution of God" a study of the book
 by Robert Wright. January-March, 2014

******

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 -

HOW MAPS CHANGE THINGS
A Conversation About the Maps
We Choose and the World We Want,
by Ward L Kaiser, with study guide
by James Taylor

Copper House, imprint of
Wood Lake Publishing
Kelowna, BC, 2013. Paper.
160 pages. $23.16 CAD
ISBN # 978-1-77064-566-0

Kindle Edition: $9.99 CAD

Publishers Promo:

This full-colour book is about politics and faith
and the values we hold. It’s about human relations,
social justice, peace, budgets, and environmental
concerns. It’s about that “Aha!” moment when we
realize that maps are loaded not just with data, but
with meaning, with the map maker’s perceptions and
prejudices about what’s important and what’s not.
Ultimately, this book is about becoming aware of
how we shape and use maps and how they in turn
shape us, so that we can begin to reflect on and
choose the kind of world we want.

The book includes an experiential Study Guide
perfect for use by adult and youth study groups
of all kinds.

Author Ward Kaiser brings to this book broad
experience as a publisher, business and ecumenical
executive, pastor, teacher, and community organizer.
He introduced the Peters Projection world map to
North America, publishing its first English-language
version in 1983. His handbook to that map, A New
View of the World, is widely used by high school
and college teachers, mission educators, and social
activists. He and his wife, Lorraine, divide their time
between central Florida and the Niagara Peninsula
of Ontario, Canada.

--

Author's Words:

(This is a book about) looking at things in a
new way. (It is about) letting go of an idea (we)
have always known to be absolutely right..

To dream. To test ideas. To open (ourselves) to
new possibilities....

Clearly, what this book is about is maps -
many maps - with special attention to the
Peters map of the world. At a deeper level,
it's about how we shape and use maps, and
how they in turn shape us. In short, it's about
you and me and ways of seeing: how we see
the world and therefore how we understand
our place in it, how we connect to it and to see
all the people we share this spaceship we call
Earth..

Talking about maps may seem impractical in
light of the great technological changes we are
experiencing in our time...This book attempts
to persuade you otherwise. We contend ...
that in the world we are now entering, maps
will belong front and center.

What we will be focusing on is the need and
possibility of gaining a new vantage point,
a differing perspective.

- from the Preface

--

My Comments:

Here are some important links to
visit in light of this book notice:

Classic Mercator vs. Peters Maps Compared:
http://www.petersmap.com/page2.html

Peters World Maps (click to enlarge)
http://www.petersmap.com/

Wikipedia Biography of Arno Peters (limited)::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arno_Peters

--

I was first introduced to the Peters maps
about twenty-five years ago by friend and
colleague Arthur Bauer. At the time, he was
director of the mission interpretation office
of the Lutheran Church in America, New York,
and he continues to be a friend and colleague
to this day. Peters continues to inform our
engaging conversations and evolving worldviews.

I have learned that the Peters Projections
are profound. They help deal with reality
on many levels - personal, spiritual, social,
political - and that is just for starters!

Maps help shape and define our worldviews.
But what happens when the worlds in which
we live change, and change quickly?

We need ways of reshaping our perspectives
to help us make sense of reality as it is
being transformed before our very eyes.

--

There are maps that divide and maps that unite.

Ward K. Kaiser provides a helpful example.
in chapter two which is entitled: "Maps Send
Messages." He describes the conflict of
perspectives that took place several years
ago in the Grand River region of Southern Ontario,
between the citizens of Caledonia, and
the Six Nations people living on the local reserve.

The native and non-native groups were working
with two different territorial maps. The first
was developed in 1784 and the second, over
the years since. The first described lands
that were apparently granted the Six Nations
before white settlement had developed. The
second described the land that was understood
to be in the possession of the non-natives.

Obviously, we can experience great distress
and dislocation depending on which map is
to be considered the "official" one. That is
just what happened, and the matter remains
unsettled to this day.

The changing face of global Christianity
is another case in point. When church leaders
in the Northern Hemisphere encounter
growing Christian challenges from the
Global South, we can determine to hold
on to old maps, or to begin working together
to create new ones.

Take this idea and apply it further -
- Islamic vs Christian, for example -
and we can see how high the stakes.

Or apply it on much more local terms -
like the way two people in a marriage
view the "map" of their respective
relational turf...

Maps shape our sense of reality.
Reality is often very different from
the map that we happen to follow.

This book starts us on an intriguing
journey of creating realistic maps -
together.

--

Jim Taylor does a good job of producing a
study guide to help church people work on
these issues in small groups. He is to be
commended for his efforts to transform
grand theories into practical, down-to-earth
experiences.

--

If you like challenges, this book is a good one.
It is surprising and enlightening to work with
these concepts - personally and communally .

We certainly have a lot to learn.

--

Buy the Book from
Wood Lake Press:
http://tinyurl.com/ls6rfbs

Buy the Kindle Edition from
Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/n72wfaf


*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

TRUDY FISK,
Calgary, AB

Dear Wayne

Thank you for keeping me on your mailing list.
I have enjoyed the content but am now not
(able to read) as much.

I wish you well.

Trudy

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

JOHN STACKHOUSE JR.
Vancouver, BC

Sightings
July 18th, 2013

"De-Christianization Continues in Canada"

http://tinyurl.com/mduqs6j

--

DOUG KOOP
Winnipeg, MB.

Faith Today
July/Aug, 2013

"Family Matters More than Work"

http://tinyurl.com/nxllmj6

(click to enlarge Doug's page)

--

MARTIN MARY
Chicago, IL

Sightings
July 22nd, 2012

"Mainline Decline, Decline Talk, \
  Decline-ism, Etc."

http://tinyurl.com/mqy58jv

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

Personal Website
July 21st, 2013

"On Whining and Weeping"

http://tinyurl.com/kcbc4h4

*****

NET NOTES

ANGLICAN HAILS MANDELA'S 95TH
Primate Joins Global Praise for African Hero

Anglican Journal
July 18th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mzl5347

--

FRANCIS S. COLLINS INTERVIEWED
Author of "The Language of God"
Reads Dawkins and Hitchens

New York Times Review of Books
July 28th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mlpusnr

--

FLOODING IN NORTHERN INDIA
Large Losses, Compared to Calgary

UCA News
July 15th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/q5k7jr8

--

THE TRAGIC LEGACY OF ORISSA STATE
Abuse of Indian Poor in Wake of Terrorism

UCA News
July 27th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ofro53e

--

FRANCIS COMES TO BRAZIL MODESTLY
Millions Greet Him on First Overseas Venture

New York Times
July 22nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kneb5ep

Catholic Right Wing Not Happy With Pope
His Open Stance Seen as Threat to Church

National Catholic Reporter
July 24th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/n88yw8x


--

BRAZIL'S CHANGING RELIGIOUS ETHOS
The Rise of Protestant Christianity

Pew Forum Website
July, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mmwd65c

--

VATICAN OFFERS TIME OFF PURGATORY
For Followers of Francis Youth Day Tweets

The Guardian, UK
July 16th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/map4vtn

Another Perspective, Another Generation

Globe and Mail
July 20th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ljpvbra

How the Media Misread the Indulgence Story

CNN Belief Blog,
July 18th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/n93rt4h

--

HOW THE CHURCH FAILS THE DIVORCED
Still a Difficult Ministry to Perform

The Christian Century
July 10th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/o884gjy

--

SOME MORMONS SEARCH, FIND DOUBT
His Concerns Were Ignored by Colleagues

New York Times
July 21st, 2013

Article and Video Interview
http://tinyurl.com/k549ffc

--

INDIAN CHRISTIANS LOSE FAITH IN CONGRESS
Ruling Party No Longer Stands By Its Secular Ideals

UCA News
July 25th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ku853pl

--

LEGACY OF THE US PROTESTANT MAINLINE
Liberal Churches Have Contributed Much

New York Times
July 24th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ldjwfby

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners Online -

Peace for humanity is not only the absence
of war, or the end of violence. For us Christians,
peace is based on a fundamental new relationship
between mankind and God. That is why Christ said
he brought peace, 'not as the world gives.'

He brought a different peace.

- Don Samuel

--

The truth does not change according to
our ability to stomach it.

- Flannery O'Connor

--

It is inevitable that in working for freedom
some individuals and some families must
take the lead and suffer: the road to freedom
is via the cross.

- Albert Luthuli

The only conclusion I have ever been able to reach
 is that we must pray God to increase our faith, a
faith without which one cannot love or hope.
'Lord believe, help though my unbelief.'

- Dorothy Day

--

I sit on my favorite rock, looking over the brook,
to take time away from busy-ness, time to be. ...
It's something we all need for our spiritual health,
and often we don't take enough of it.

- Madeleine L'Engle

--

Humility is attentive patience.

- Simone Weil

---

Compassion for the other comes out of our
ability to accept ourselves. Until we realize both
our own weaknesses and our own privileges, we
can never tolerate lack of status and depth of
weakness in the other.

- Joan Chittister

--

Plant consciousness, insect consciousness,
fish consciousness, animal consciousness,
are all related by one permanent element,
which we may call the religious element in all life,
even in a flea: the sense of wonder. That is our
sixth sense. And it is the natural religious sense.

- D.H. Lawrence

*****

ON THIS DAY

July 14th - 27th

Provided from the archives
of the New York Times

RUSSIAN CZAR, FAMILY KILLED BY BOLSHEVIKS
http://tinyurl.com/kznsd64

SPANISH CIVIL WAR BEGINS
http://tinyurl.com/lg2h5xj

CHURCHILL LAUNCHES VE DAY
http://tinyurl.com/knmvz5p

'MONKEY' TRIAL ENDS IN CONVICTION
http://tinyurl.com/cnqvw

KOREAN WAR ENDS; ARMISTICE SIGNED
http://tinyurl.com/ln5z2w

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT

DESMOND TUTU

I don't preach a social gospel; I preach the
gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ is concerned with the whole person.
When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say,
'Now is that political or social?' He said,
'I feed you.' Because the good news to a
hungry person is bread.

(end)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Colleagues List, July 14th, 2013

Vol IX No.1.

****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE


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:

Summer in Calgary can be a wonderful
experience with many festivals and
other events in town or within short driving
distances. In spite of our disastrous
flood in June, we have much for which
to be grateful in this part of Canada.

On the subject of the flood, I am happy
to inform you that Michael Trew, a
colleague and fellow-member of
St. David's Church was recently named
Chief Mental Health Officer Responsible 
for Flood Victims. A professional
psychiatrist, Mike has been given a
very important task - supporting the
return to mental health for many of
those who were affected by the 
disaster. That includes people from
many parts of Southern Alberta,
not just Calgary.

We congratulate you, Mike!

Read these announcements:
http://tinyurl.com/mgeoseq
http://tinyurl.com/omssurh

--

My special item this week follows on the
idea of good local festivals to attend. 

Marlene and I visited the opening performance 
of "The Canadian Badlands Passion Play"
and this issue of Colleagues List contains
a reflection on that experience.

There is still time to go to Drumheller!
(at least for some of you.)

--

Colleague Comment:

This week, longtime colleague and friend
Don Snazrude,of Canmore, Alberta (at
the gates of Banff National Park, which is
one of our frequent year-round destinations) 
shares his thoughts with us.

--

Colleague Contributions:

This week we hear from -

Philip Jenkins, who talks of  Armenian Christians
http://tinyurl.com/n5weoth

Beth Porter, interviews Ruth Paterson of Ulster
http://tinyurl.com/n6px2cc

Jim Taylor, reflects on flooding in Canada
http://tinyurl.com/pqm4xv4

Ron Rolheiser, discusses our comfort obsession
http://tinyurl.com/plthxkw

Erich Weingartner,  closes a chapter of his life
(read part of his Cankor farewell letter, below)

Thanks to all of you.

--

Net Notes:

"Photos of Ramadan 2013" - a special collection
of Islamic events from around the world
(The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/mddoem4

"Egypt Today on Knife Edge" - good material
on happenings there (The Tablet, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/luyfrvj

"A Concise History of the Arabs" - a book on
people we in the West need to come to know
a lot better than we have (The Tablet, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/m78xqyg

"Ireland Approves an Abortion Bill" - this 
development is predictable and the Irish
seem to be approaching the issue carefully
(USA Today, The Guardian, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/kgpzkgt
http://tinyurl.com/lg2l3yg

"The Calgary Stampede this Year" - here
is a visual telling of how Calgary is finding
its way back, after a serious disaster
(CBC National News, Calgary Herald)
http://tinyurl.com/kxgpxkv
http://tinyurl.com/lcny8zt

"Pakistani Police Acquit Themselves" -
this troubled land continues to hide its
flaws, a sure sign of on-going troubles
(UCA News) http://tinyurl.com/kfldfuu

"Joint Church Assembly a Milestone" -
last weekend, Canadian Lutherans and
Anglicans completed a historic joint
assembly of their churches, in Ottawa
(Ottawa Citizen, Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/qebxcls
http://tinyurl.com/kw2a9bs

"Primate Offers Prayers to Lac-Megantic" -
Canada's Anglican leader extends the
concern of his church to the victims of
of a serious rail disaster in the Eastern 
Townships of Quebec (Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/k9e44bz

"Vatican Bank Director, V-Director, Resign" -
more woes for Pope Francis, but he seems
to be taking the right approach to a mess
(Catholic News Agency)
http://tinyurl.com/lxu5rvu

"Francis Enacts Sweeping Justice Reforms" -
here is more on this and other bad press
with hope from Rome this past week
(Vatican Insider) http://tinyurl.com/lznmahy

--

Wisdom of the Week:

Provided by Sojourners Online -

Soren Kierkegaard, St. Augustine,
William Faulkner, Irenaeus of Lyon,
John Howard Yoder, Dag Hammarskjold,
Wendell Berry, Elie Wiesel, Dorothy Day
and Paul Tillich share insights with us.

--

On This Day:

From the archives of the New York Times
July 7th-14th

Hong Kong Reverts to Chinese Rule
http://tinyurl.com/m24ukhh

The Battle of Britain Begins
http://tinyurl.com/mrvkkf9

--

Closing Thought: On dying and living
is offered from an anonymous source

--

Blessings to you. 
I'll be back in two weeks,

Wayne


*****

MY AUTUMN PROGRAMS AT
THE CHURCH AND UNIVERSITY

FALL MONDAY NIGHT STUDY
ST. DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"Immortal Diamond - The Search
 for the True Self" by Richard Rohr

Description of the Book:
http://tinyurl.com/n9ymr59

Mondays, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 16th - November 5th, 2013

Team Taught With Jock McTavish
Books on sale at the church Sunday, August 26th
Registration, Hospitality and Book - $50.00
Book only - $20.

*****

FALL TUESDAY NIGHT UNIVERSITY COURSE

"Heresies and Heretics" -
 Discovering Early Church Controversies
 by Bart Ehrmann

Tuesday, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
September 24th - December 3rd, 2013
(no class, October 7th)

Description and Registration Info:
http://tinyurl.com/qcs6hx7

Jock McTavish offers two video sessions
to complement the series 

******

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

THE CANADIAN BADLANDS PASSION PLAY
Reflections on a Unique Presentation

This week Marlene and I attended the Canadian 
Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, Alberta. 
In 2013, the drama runs nine times from July 10th
through July 21st and we saw it on the first night.

This was the play's twentieth season on this 
site. I attended once previously during the mid-
nineties, and it is good to report that this 
passion play keeps improving with age and 
experience. On-line preparation and follow-up 
documentation is thorough and professionally done.

The production keeps benefiting from the support of
professional groups and thousands of volunteers in
Alberta and beyond.

Special mention should be made of Laverne Erickson, 
the founder of the nearby Rosebud Theatre and
the Rosebud Theatre of the Arts. In 1990, he drew
together a group of serious planners and has 
continued to do so with growing success. Erickson 
was recognized on opening night and his 
accomplishments are many.

The Canadian Badlands Passion Play has now passed 
its one hundredth performance and still appears to 
be going strong with people of all ages involved.


http://canadianpassionplay.com/ 
(cut and paste this link to your browser)
--

To gain a broader understanding of the passion play
as a historical phenomenon, I found this wikipedia 
article to be helpful:

http://tinyurl.com/45x2j7y

I also found it interesting that passion plays have 
been popular n Europe for centuries and are today 
global in expression.

The story of the suffering and death of Jesus is 
very popular, and not confined to Christian 
audiences. 

Early in the twentieth century the play came to North
America and it's most popular expression took place
in the Black Hills Badlands of South Dakota:

http://tinyurl.com/nl7hexu

After a run of many decades, the passion play of
the Black Hills had its final season in 2008. 
Millions of people attended the plays there over 
the years.

The classic passion play is, of course, located
in Oberammergau, Bavaria, South Germany:

http://tinyurl.com/q6dubvr

This event runs every decade and has taken place
for well over three centuries. It is worthwhile to 
visit Oberammergau - even during the off-season 
years as Marlene and I have - because much can 
be learned about the context within which this play
has emerged. It is indeed a major global cultural
and spiritual event and many tour groups visit 
here -especially during the first year of every 
decade.The next theater season will be in 2020.

--

Our Experience at the Canadian Badlands Play
(excerpted from my journal)

The text used for the performance was established
several years ago and has proven to be popular.
It is essentially the Gospel of John with some
embellishment for the sake of clarity and nuance.
John, an actor, served as narrator for the story
and his lines were quite true to the original.
In most cases, the music was sung by the actors 
themselves as they performed their parts and a 
separate choir was not needed.

--

A most beautiful Alberta summer evening. It was
bright and warm, and when the sun began to hide
behind the natural amphitheater it was pleasantly 
cool for the second half of the total three hour 
performance.

The anti-Jewish bias, heavily influencing the
Johannine narrative, was toned down - and while 
"The Jews" were personified mainly by "The Jewish 
Leaders" who stirred up the people against Jesus - 
much was done to "include" the audience among the 
naysayers.

Actors appeared throughout the stands and this 
demonstrated profoundly that humanity in all 
time was included in the calls for Jesus' death; 
not only the Jewish people of the time.

This was well-choreographed and the hundreds of 
volunteer members of "the crowd" among us were 
dressed in authentic styles reflecting Jewish 
culture back then.

--

Both of us were quite emotional at the dramatic
end when a multitude of angels appeared on the 
theater's encircling hills with sunlight still 
reflected behind them.

This was a beautiful theatrical ending in a 
natural environment to a gripping story that 
encompassed a lot and moved quickly.

The event is well worth attending, in spite 
of the long drives for many who came. Our trip 
home to Calgary took 90 minutes but many drove 
much further.

For us, that evening in the Badlands was a
world away and a special spiritual experience.

(end)

***** 

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

DON SNAZRUDE
Canmore, AB.

Still find your blog interesting and it so 
refreshes my soul.  May this email find 
you in good health and say hello to Marlene

Don

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS

PHILIP JENKINS
University Park, PA

The Christian Century
June 6th, 2013

"Armenia's Survivors"

http://tinyurl.com/n5weoth

--

BETH PORTER
Richmond Hill, ON.

A Human Future 
L'Arche Canada
Summer, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/n6px2cc

"Interview With Rev. Ruth Patterson"
 Northern Ireland

--

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

Personal Web Log
June 30th, 2013

"Floods"
 Don't Call Them Acts of God

http://tinyurl.com/pqm4xv4

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio TX

Personal Web Site
July 7th, 2013

"An Addiction to Comfort"

http://tinyurl.com/plthxkw

--

ERICH WEINGARTNER
Calendar, ON

Cankor Report
July 9th, 2013

"The End is at Hand"

All good things must come to an end. But it
seems that bad things tend to stick around 
a lot longer. Sixty years after the signing 
of the Korean Armistice Agreement,the Korean 
War still claims victims to this very day. 

Divided families, escalating militarism, 
regional insecurities and violence in word 
and deed have become a generational legacy, 
perpetuating human suffering and casting a 
dark shadow on the future of Korea, the 
region and the wider world community...

But even good things have only a limited 
shelf life. In advance of my 70th birthday 
last December, I announced to the CanKor 
Brain Trust my intentionto retire as Editor-
in-Chief. We considered a number of options. 
Given various factors (limited resources and 
capacities, availability of other information 
sources, disinterest on the part of government 
and educational institutions) the prevailing—if 
reluctant—conclusion was that CanKor should be 
laid to rest in a dignified fashion.

My intended retirement date was postponed 
because of a renewed crisis on the Korean 
Peninsula early this year. A satellite launch, 
nuclear test and the belligerent escalation 
of threats and counter-threats led even sober 
analysts to voice fears of an accidental war 
that appeared more likely than it had been in 
the previous two decades. CanKor was inundated 
by calls from the media. Numerous members of 
the CanKor Brain Trust were interviewed by 
media across the globe. It seemed a most 
inauspicious time to close the doors on CanKor. 
So we continued to post articles on our website, 
receiving more "hits" and accolades than ever 
before. 

Perhaps it is fitting that we close CanKor at 
the height of its popularity. Every project 
should have a best-by date, and ours is the 
60th anniversary of the Korean Armistice 
Agreement: 27 July 2013...

With best wishes,

Erich Weingartner,
Editor-in-Chief

****

NET NOTES

PHOTOS OF RAMADAN
Celebration 2013

The Atlantic Online
July 10th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mddoem4

--

EGYPT TODAY ON A KNIFE EDGE
A Review of What's Happening

The Tablet, UK
July 13th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/luyfrvj

--

A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ARABS
Learning More About a Different People

The Tablet, UK
July 13th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/m78xqyg

--

IRELAND APPROVES ABORTION BILL
Historic Shift in National Politics

USA Today,
July 11th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kgpzkgt

The Guardian, UK
July 12th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lg2l3yg

--

THE CALGARY STAMPEDE THIS YEAR
Miracle of Sorts - Much Human Effort Too

CBC - The National (Visual)
July 5th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kxgpxkv

"Local Initiatives Raise Big Money"

Calgary Herald
July 9th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lcny8zt

--

PAKISTANI POLICE ACQUIT THEMSELVES
Rationalize the Death of a Christian Youth 

UCA News
July 12th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kfldfuu

--

JOINT CHURCH ASSEMBLY A MILESTONE
Anglicans, Lutherans Hold Joint Ottawa Conclave

Ottawa Citizen
July 2nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/qebxcls

"The Road to Waterloo"

Anglican Journal
July 2nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kw2a9bs

--

PRIMATE OFFERS PRAYERS TO LAC-MEGANTIC
Anglican Leader Shares Concern Over Rail Tragedy

Anglican Journal
July 10th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/k9e44bz

--

VATICAN BANK DIRECTOR, V-DIRECTOR RESIGN
Corruption Surfaces at Highest Level

Catholic News Agency, Rome
July 1st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lxu5rvu

--

FRANCIS ENACTS SWEEPING JUSTICE REFORMS
Vatican Laws Will  Protect Children, Penalize Graft

Vatican Insider
July 12th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lznmahy

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners Online -

The first form of rulers in the world were the tyrants, 
the last will be the martyrs. Between a tyrant and a
 martyr there is of course an enormous difference, 
although they both have one thing in common: the 
power to compel. The tyrant, himself ambitious to 
dominate, compels people through his power; the 
martyr, himself unconditionally obedient to God, 
compels others through his suffering. The tyrant 
dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his 
rule begins.

- Soren Kierkegaard

--

The way to Christ is first through humility, second
through humility, third through humility. If humility 
does not precede and accompany and follow every 
good work we do, if it is not before us to focus on, 
if it is not beside us to lean upon, if it is not behind 
us to fence us in, pride will wrench from our hand 
any good deed we do at the very moment we do it.

- St. Augustine

--

We must be free not because we claim freedom 
but because we practice it.

- William Faulkner

--

The church has been planted as a paradise 
in this world.

- Irenaeus of Lyon

--

The work of God is the calling of a people, whether in the 
Old Covenant or the New. The church is then not simply 
the bearer of the message of reconciliation, in the way a 
newspaper or a telephone company can bear any message 
with which it is entrusted. Nor is the church simply the result
of a message, as an alumni association is the product of a 
school or the crowds in a theater are the product of the
reputation of the film. That men and women are called 
together to a new social wholeness is itself the work of 
God, which gives meaning to history.

- John Howard Yoder

--

In our era, the road to holiness necessarily passes
through the world of action.

- Dag Hammarskjold

--

As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the 
motion of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the 
false trail, the way you didn't go. Be like the fox who makes 
more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction.
 Practice resurrection.

- Wendell Berry

--

Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. 
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

- Elie Wiesel

--

An individual can march for peace or vote for peace and 
can have, perhaps, some small influence on global concerns. 
But the same individual is a giant in the eyes of a child at 
home. If peace is to be built, it must start with the individual. 
It is built brick by brick.

- Dorothy Day

--

The first duty of love is to listen.

- Paul Tillich

*****

ON THIS DAY

HONG KONG REVERTS TO CHINESE RULE
http://tinyurl.com/m24ukhh

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEGINS
http://tinyurl.com/mrvkkf9

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT

You can always die. It's living that takes real courage.

(end)