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

[Dawn Collins]

 It occurred  to me that a practical way to actualize our commitment to the mission of furthering the objectives of the NRM without which the NSV can come into being would be for us "grey-haired ones" to consider bridging the generation gap in an "each one reach one" using social media to include our own youngsters in the struggle to deal with the moral issue of our time and join us in birthing the new.  I think I mean for the elders to engage in passing on the baton to our sons and daughters and if they're willing their daughters and sons. As things stand now, to paraphrase Matthew, Luke and John, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few". I challenge us to reach across the gap and choose a mentee (I think that's a word) or more to open the gates of communication with them and invite them to join us in the "Great Work" we've chosen to be our legacy. 
In sharing our caring we just might get to initiate the path of mindfulness of Spirit, peace and empathy within a truly inclusive and beloved community. Our young ones have in the main appropriated many of the tools and methods we are using to form their own collegial group of fellowship and purpose via social media. 
What say you?
Yours in kindfulness,
dawn

We love the Creator/Source/Spirit because the Spirit/Creator/Source first loved us.     On Saturday, August 31, 2019, 11:14:57 AM MDT, Catherine Welch via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:  
 
 Thank you, John, for such a thought provoking reflection (which prompted more and more thought provoking reflection from others). I think there was an emerging generation song that was was out to capture some of Kierkegaard’s wisdom at an elementary level.  I can’t offer the tune, but the words as I recall were: Oh I don’t want to be myselfOh I don’t want to be myselfBut that’s not my problem, my problem is relatingTo the self that doesn’t want to be itself. Oh I don’t want my situationOh I don’t want my situationBut that’s not my problem, my problem is relatingTo the self that doesn’t want its situation.   This little song still comes back to me from time to time and occasions a more useful reflection on my circumstances. Catherine WelchFrom: John Epps via OE Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 3:36 PMTo: Order Ecumenical Community Cc: John Epps 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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