[Oe List ...] Austin ICA Brainstorm

Wed Oct 17 10:25:17 PDT 2018

Randy,

Very well stated. Being (joining) the Order was never the definition of Being the Order. First comes the life decision (sometimes referred to as The Call) and then one finds a way to join with others who did as well. 

I remember asking Joe at a Guardians gathering what can I do symbolize that decision when my current situation is such that it just doesn’t allow for (at that time) moving to Chicago or into a RH. He said there are four symbolic things you need to do. First wear the silver cross. At that moment he took of his and put it on me. When I tried to give it back at the end of the weekend he refused it. I still have it. Secondly, wear the Blue. Thirdly, get a silver ring and wear it on your right hand, which I eventually did. When Judy and i were assigned to Mexico City I found a silversmith who made my ring, with a Turn symbol on it. I wear it always. Fourthly, write it down in a Bible. To complete the story, Joe took me at the end of Guardians meeting and introduced me to a gathering of the Order in the ground floor corner room on the south side. He announced that I was the first member of the Extended Order outside of Chicago. Maybe some of you were there.

I personally feel that although each of us needs to find an engagement function (I like your mission statement) and put your life into it, there is more that we can do before we all pass on to join the rest in marching (singing of course) into heaven together (as Joe used to say). My mission is the Archives. The Archives has to be more than historical records and artifacts. It must enable TWC to be more effective, to grasp the profound Truth of life and act it out in their own domain. I have ideas of how to do that. We need a “living archive”, a source for the sensitive and responsive part of society. We need to seek them out and carefully share what can be helpful. Indeed, what we bring to any situation are simply Methods and Spirit, and the silent witness of our own Being. 

Grace and Peace,

Jack

> On Oct 17, 2018, at 11:21, Randy Williams via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
> 
> George,
> 
> I have long contended, as have others, that for most of us the mission didn’t go away when the OE assignment board came down, and most of us continued to embody it one way or another. The OE, EI, ICA were the structural forms of our engagement, but the movement and mission were never synonymous with the structures. To have made them so would have been our own participation in the perversion of institutionalism.
> 
> I frankly don’t remember what our stated mission was back then. Was it something about “renewing the church for the sake of the world?” And then came the “turn” at which time we declared the church was renewed, and I don’t recall where we went from there as far as articulating the mission. I like the ICA:USA mission statement, “Building a just and equitable society in harmony with planet earth.” However anyone may state it, I have an abiding sense that most of us are still about it and will be while we have breath. 
> 
> My personal mission has not changed, which I articulate as, “Enhancing the capacity of local people to participate in building the Earth.” Though who I work with and where I work has changed, I feel very much connected to all of my old OE colleagues, in Austin and everywhere, and stay in touch and share insights, etc. as much as possible. I take some comfort in the fact that the mission never gets done, knowing that if it ever does, then it was too small from the beginning.
> 
> Randy
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Oct 17, 2018, at 10:24 AM, George Holcombe via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks to those who responded both off and on the list serve to my email. I am hopeful that more of us could/would share what we’re about. Our monthly “Ecclesiola” in Austin has been a most helpful work in centering us and focusing us on our lives and work. Joe once said to those who wished to depart the order that you’d do the same thing we’re doing here, and I think he was right.  I’m especially appreciative of the work of the Cocks daily journey, which helps start my day as well as the work of the Sands, Wards, Marshalls and so many others.
>> 
>> A long time ago each religious house sent in a weekly report by mail (before internet).  I don’t know how much we read it (don’t remember getting the summaries), but preparing it was helpful. The work that everyone is up to is encouraging to know.
>> 
>> I support the work on the archives, however I don’t think we’re finished and much more to contribute in this Phase 4.
>> 
>> The McCabes had a great program for us this month, which featured a video of a speech by Fr. Gregory Boyle.  The conversation helped us focus in on what we’ve done and are doing for the poor and those on the margins. I recommend it.
>> 
>> Best wishes on your mission.
>> 
>> George Holcombe
>> geowanda1 at me.com <mailto:geowanda1 at me.com>
>> 
>> "Whatever the problem, community is the answer.  There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about."  Margaret Wheatley
>> 
>> 
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