*****
GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net
Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com
"Quicklinks" are included with many items
at the beginning of this issue. To get a more
complete picture, however, scroll down to
find your special selection in the body of
the blog.
-----
HOLST FAMILY
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LETTER
Calgary, Alberta
Christmas, 2014
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
2014 was a year of transitioning through
semi-retirement for both of us. We have
more free time from formal work duties
but new opportunities to invest ourselves
in activities we enjoy. That implies time
with family, plus more fitness, travel and
cultural event possibilities.
Our immediate family has not changed in
size – reflecting the first time we have not
added new grandchildren in almost five
years. Our extended family continues to
grow, however.
We became quite aware of that this past
July 26th when we hosted almost all of
Marlene’s siblings and their related families
at a gathering in our back yard. The occasion
was to say goodbye to Carmen and Mark,
Emily and Owen Hamm (Marlene’s second
daughter and her family) who are now on
a four-year stint with Shell in the nation of
Oman (Saudi peninsula).
A total of just-under thirty people attended
this wonderful event. This was for us a
highlight of the year. We hope the Hamms
felt well-supported. Marlene and I plan to
visit them in Oman.
Meanwhile they are living an experience of
a lifetime in an oil-rich Muslim nation. These
grandchildren are learning to develop socially
in a multi-cultural environment where, as
white Canadians, they are in the distinct
minority. This was Jacqui’s experience
(Wayne’s daughter from his first family)
when they lived in Trinidad, West Indies –
45 years ago.
But how the world has changed!
Wayne has completed his teaching career
through Continuing Education at the
University of Calgary where he was
employed for 25 years. He still teaches
at the Faith and Spirituality Centre on
campus however and continues to enjoy
the challenge. He leads many learning
and spiritual development programs as
staff at St. David’s United Church, where
he has served for a quarter century.
Wayne has begun to write as a regular
columnist and reviewer for the Anglican
Journal (Toronto). This provides extra
money for cultural events we enjoy and
gives him much satisfaction. He also
creates his weekly religion and culture
blog - Colleagues List - noting weekly
global hits reaching several thousand -
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com
Marlene enjoys more free time, but works
as a backup in the church office. She also
loves ”face times” Skyping with her
grandchildren – luxury not afforded
previous nanna generations.
We spent the month of May traveling
down the West Coast of the USA and
returned via the Mountain States;
enjoying an anniversary trip to Glacier
National Park, Montana in October.
Next October, we hope to lead another
St. David’s Spiritual Travelers tour
(our third). This time we go to Jerusalem
(Israel & Jordan) visiting sacred sites of
Jews, Christians and Muslims.
We wish you and your loved ones the
best of this Holy Season of the year and
hope to hear from you.
marleneaholst@gmail.com
(or) waholst@telus.net
Marlene and Wayne
*****
A DISTINCT ADVENT/CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Anglican Journal
December 12th, 2014
My December Column -
http://tinyurl.com/q2xpjs2
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT - Alexander Solzhenitsyn
If only it were all so simple!
If only there were evil people somewhere
insidiously committing evil deeds, and it
were necessary only to separate them from
the rest of us and destroy them. But the line
dividing good and evil cuts through the heart
of every human being. And who is willing to
destroy a piece of [their] own heart?
*****
Next Week:
My final Colleagues List for 2014 --
a compilation, with links, of all
45 book notices, reviews, articles
and reflections this year.
(end)
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