[Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's

Thu Aug 29 11:06:09 PDT 2019

On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 8:16 PM Ellie Stock via Dialogue <
dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

> Thanks, Rob.  So well said.
>
> Ellie
> elliestock at aol.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robertson Work via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> To: dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>; Order
> Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> Cc: Robertson Work <warkers at msn.com>
> Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 08:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Spirit of the 20's
>
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> Good to see these concerns being shared. This is my brief summary of what
> humanity is facing, from page 3 of *A Compassionate Civilization: "We are
> living in the most critical time in all of human history, a time to do what
> is needful or face the direst of consequences. Why do I say that? Never
> before in the past five thousand years have we faced such colossal dangers
> and such exhilarating possibilities. The very future of life on Earth is at
> stake. We face multiple, interlocking crises, any one of which could be
> decisive—climate chaos, misogyny, systemic poverty, oligarchy, prejudice,
> and a culture of violence. A whole system transformation is underway, and
> we are at the brink of either mass extinction or a whole new way of being
> human on planet Earth. Which it will be depends on what you and I do with
> our lives." *
>
> *And this is my summary concerning what we need to do at this moment in
> history: "Let us dare to dream and realize a new civilization of
> compassion. Let us take the necessary actions for environmental
> sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory
> governance, cultural tolerance, and nonviolence and peace. Let us work
> together to do all of this as a movement of movements (MOM.) Let us do this
> as mindful activists using methods of innovative leadership including
> participatory facilitation, integral frameworks, and social artistry. Let
> us do this as global-local citizens. And let us do this while cultivating
> understanding and compassion, realizing happiness, celebrating gratitude,
> living lifelong commitment, choosing courage, dancing with time, and
> embracing sadness, sickness, old age, and death." *
>
> Look forward to further thoughts on this ListServe.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Rob Work
>
> ................................................................................................
>
> Recent book: *A Compassionate Civilization: The Urgency of Sustainable
> Development and Mindful Activism - Reflections and Recommendations*
> https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546972617
>
> Blog: https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/
> <https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/>
> <https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/>
>
> LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsonwork/
>
> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecivilization/ 
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of
> Carleton Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 28, 2019 9:08 PM
> *To:* dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Cc:* Carleton Stock <carletonstock at aol.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>
> Thanks John for your reflection on the times, insightful and disturbing!
> I'd sum it all up with what we used to say fairly frequently to one another
> and the world:  "Trust the Mystery and Build the Earth!". Trust the overall
> evolution of life and work like Hell till your dying day!
> Grace and peace,
> Carl(eton) Stock
> St. Louis, MO
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John C via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> Cc: John C <jpc2025 at outlook.com>
> Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 6:50 pm
> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>
> Thanks, Ellie.
>
> John and Lynda Cock
>
> *From: *Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of
> Ellie Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Reply-To: *Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Date: *Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 6:09 PM
> *To: *"oe at lists.wedgeblade.net" <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>, "
> oe at wedgeblade.net" <oe at wedgeblade.net>, "dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net" <
> dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> *Cc: *"Elliestock at aol.com" <elliestock at aol.com>
> *Subject: *Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>
> Hi John,
>
> Thanks for this thoughtful piece--still pondering...
>
> We continue to work with many others at the local level in our
> communities, and local, regional, national, and global levels through the
> church and other NGOS, specifically on issues related to the environment,
> racial justice/white privilege, immigration, root causes of poverty/hunger,
> indigenous rights--trying connect as many dots/movements as
> possible--hoping and trusting that all such work from every corner of the
> globe will eventually create a groundswell of action and change.
>
> Sometimes, it is just overwhelming.  My mantra is to work toward the
> vision of what needs to be, rather than focusing on being against
> whatever/whomever we don't like.  Not always easy.  It just may take
> millions of people to take to the streets to change the tide, before it is
> too late--for us, our grandchildren or to the seventh generation.
>
> Looking forward to reading responses from folks.
>
> Ellie Stock :)
> elliestock at aol.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Epps via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
> To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
> Cc: John Epps <jlepps39 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 4:36 pm
> Subject: [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>
> *The Spirit of the 20’s **John Epps, August 2019*
> The categories for determining the spirit of a decade supposedly come from
> Kierkegaard: An External Situation creates an Internal Crisis which raises
> an Existential Question from which we try to Escape. I’ve used them in
> trying to assess the situation since the 60’s. Here we go again:
> *The Prevailing Spirit:*
> Our External Situation is best characterized as one of *THREAT*.
> Economically, health care costs are rising astronomically, the move away
> from fossil fuels and the trade war with China have put markets in turmoil
> and talk of recession is in the air. Politically, we have cut off alliances
> and find Russia, N. Korea, and Iran all upgrading their nuclear
> capabilities. USA Congress seems unable to act. Culturally, we are besieged
> with increased numbers of immigrants and mass shootings now appear
> commonplace. And encompassing all this chaos is the Earth’s environment
> which appears to be undergoing dangerous changes due to global warming.
> All this has generated or contributed to an Internal Crisis of *FEAR*. We
> increasingly fear those who differ from us, whether by race, gender
> identification, nationality, or ideology. Everything different seems a
> threat, and we fear the changes already in progress. Compromise seems weak,
> and we’re increasingly in a black or white situation: agree or fight.
> The Existential Question in this situation is *HOW CAN WE SURVIVE?* With
> the environment collapsing and threats at every turn, what can we do?
> Problems seem too big to tackle, and local action, while effective, remains
> local while the issues are larger. Institutions we developed to address
> larger issues appear paralyzed: CONGRESS, UN, NATO, NAFTA, ASEAN, Treaties
> with Iran and the Paris Accords for Climate all appear ineffective in
> providing remedies. Attempts to inact gun control legislation, despite
> agreement from both parties, cannot move through Congress.
> We Escape through *BLAMESTORMING*; we look for scapegoats for each issue,
> then cast them as enemies toward which hatred is the only suitable
> relation. We demonize NRA, GOP, “Moscow Mitch,” Trump, Kim, Putin,
> Refugees, Democrats, Immigrants, Socialists, and many others. Extreme
> hostility takes the guise of radical nationalism attempting to band “us”
> against “them” or in too many cases, mass shootings aimed at eliminating
> “them.”
>
> *Towards an Authentic Response: *This is where we meet the question of
> God today: wrestling with the question of responding to threats to our
> existence.
> Local action may be the most we can do, and since that makes a difference,
> should be pursued with vigor. Maybe, over time, the mass changes needed can
> come from local people.
> The threats are real. The status quo cannot and will not survive. The
> future is really open and unpredictable. We can, however, have a hand in
> inventing it.
> Your comments, additions, corrections, and insights are most welcome.
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-- 
Margaret and David Scott
Flathead Valley College
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