May 2025 - Dialogue - lists.wedgeblade.net

ATTENTION: Link to film re "Laudato Si'" and Pope Francis' Legacy: "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
by Ellie Stock 21 May '25

21 May '25

Dear Friends of Earth and All That Is In It! Below is a link to a new film, "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth," about "Laudato Si" and the legacy of Pope Francis (1 hr, 19 min). If you haven't had a chance to read it, the text of Pope Francis' Encyclical is online free. .The Letter: A Message For Our Earth Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com

1 0

Join us with your Path Forward actions, practically, spiritually and emotionally. Inbox
by Don Bushman 18 May '25

18 May '25

Greetings Y'all: As Bill, Sunny, and I met to consider our focus for this Sunday’s *Path Forward Conversation*, we found ourselves returning to H. Richard Niebuhr’s *The Church as Social Pioneer*. Bill reminded us that many of the networks we engage with are responding to some form of *innocent suffering*—a powerful throughline in our shared work. >From that conversation, a compelling idea emerged: Transformation often begins in response to innocent suffering. In my (admittedly not-so-humble) view, the church—at its best—is about the transformation of human beings who live on behalf of all people in our global village. Of course, transformation arises from many sources. I love beautiful sunsets—but in all my years, not one has launched me into a transformative journey. Beauty moves me, yes. But suffering calls me. Then Friday, I found myself—surprisingly—copying and pasting a David Brooks column. His piece *“What’s Happening Is Not Normal”* closes with these words: A civic uprising has to have a short-term vision and a long-term vision. *Short term:* Stop Trump. Foil his efforts. Pile on the lawsuits. Turn some of his followers against him. *Long term:* A fairer society... We can’t go back to the status quo that prevailed when Trump first rode down the escalator. I’m really not a movement guy... But this is what America needs right now. Trump is shackling the greatest institutions in American life. We have nothing to lose but our chains. Like Brooks, I don’t naturally gravitate toward movements. But I keep showing up for these *Path Forward* conversations because of the courage, clarity, and companionship they offer. They remind me I’m not alone. They embolden me. *We’d love to hear from you:* What actions are you taking in these not-normal times? How are you doing—spiritually, emotionally, practically? We’ll gather again this Sunday via Zoom. No prior participation is necessary. All are welcome. *📅 Sunday, May 11* 🕐 1:30 PM Pacific 🕑 2:30 PM Mountain 🕒 3:30 PM Central 🕓 4:30 PM Eastern 🔗 Join the Zoom Meeting <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU0uTqjwU_DVhd6dCwstFFjqI18fcK-XbDR…> 📄 Download Bill’s Narrative & Supporting Documents <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsks1yujwYxa8GdnUgAbGLLFSkrx__KuO3Gy…> Warmly, *For the Path Forward Triad,* Bill Parker, Sunny Walker, Don Bushman ------------------------------ *P.S.* In Bill’s conversations with 70+ network leaders, these questions kept surfacing: - Where do I even begin to ease the suffering I see around me? - Who else is working on this—and how can we support, not duplicate? - What breakthroughs are happening in other towns, clinics, schools, or congregations? - Where do my skills best match the needs? - Where is energy already building—and how can we support it? - Where are the deepest gaps in care, dignity, or inclusion? - How do I find my team—those committed to what I’m committed to? - Why is it still so hard to talk across differences? - What’s keeping our good work from adding up to more? - Is anyone weaving the pieces together? We invite you to bring the questions *you* are hearing—and share what’s stirring in your corner of the world. Don Bushman 828-292-9696

2 1

Re: [Dialogue] POPE LEO & IRON BOY: Top-10 Synchronicities
by James Wiegel 11 May '25

11 May '25

So, as I count, David, yours will be the third biography?, memoir? There was “Hey, White Girl” by Susan Gregory, and “Grits, Green Beans and the Holy Ghost” by Mary Poole and now yours. There was also a feature article in Chicago(?) magazine by —— Spencer a couple of years ago. Maybe others? Master’s theses— Pat ( was Scott); Brooke Kroeger … Shocked me that you are the same age as the new pope … time does march on Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver > On May 10, 2025, at 12:39 PM, David Marshall via Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > > Order, EI, & ICA former colleagues, > > I recently joined Substack to provide more long-form content for my family communication books, including my upcoming memoir IRON BOY, and posted this 2-page article yesterday. I noticed some of you are on Substack as well, but for those who aren't, I'm providing a copy below. > > Title: POPE LEO & IRON BOY: Top-10 Synchronicities > Subtitle:Bringing Light to World’s “Dark Night” > > > > Growing up ecumenical, I was exposed to a lot more Catholicism than the average Protestant boy in America, even though my family was officially Methodist. I studied Saint Teresa, Saint Augustine, and Saint Francis as a teenager, and attended Catholic mass from different Religious Houses around the world. Our 30-minute Daily Office service each dawn was full of Episcopalian liturgy, which has similarities to Catholic services. > > So when Pope Leo was selected by the cardinals in the Vatican this week, I naturally noticed the parallels between Pope Leo and Iron Boy, including our global debuts just weeks a part this spring, although mine pales by comparison. > > Connections abound: > > 1. CHICAGO - Our formative years were both in Chicago in the 1960s and 1970s, Pope Leo on the South Side, and Iron Boy on the West Side. > 2. ORDERS - We both lived monastic lives, Pope Leo in an Augustine Order for priests and Iron Boy in an Ecumenical Family Order (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and other faiths). We both practiced our own versions of poverty, chastity, and obedience. > 3. CULTS – Some agnostics and atheists say the Catholic Church is one of the largest cults on the planet. Others say the Order Ecumenical I grew up in was a cult as well. People must judge for themselves. What is a “cult” anyway? Cult survivors recount a sense of belonging and intense community, but also of being taught they are holier than others; believing the cult leader is “all knowing;” giving up their own freedom to “group think;” forced to tolerate leader unaccountability for misdeeds; feeling afraid to leave; and ultimately being ostracized by remaining members after departure. I experienced many of these feelings as well. > 4. REFORM - We are both committed to Christian renewal, extending the reforms started by Pope Francis in Pope Leo’s case, and in spreading the good news about demythologized theology in Iron Boy’s case. My platform is admittedly quite small compared to Pope Leo’s. > 5. GLOBALISTS - We have lived on multiple continents and speak several languages. > 6. PERU - We both lived in Peru as adults, arriving in the 1980s, and had family and missional work in this Latin American country. After my mom left the Order, she lived in Peru for six years with her second husband, and they supported the ICA rural development program in Azpitia, Peru. > 7. AGE - We are contemporaries, at 69 years old. > 8. ABUSE - Both our respective Orders were accused of preying on children, and had to make hard decisions about what to do about it, with not great results. > 9. LEO - Pope Leo was known as Robert Prevost until this week, but will go down in history as Pope Leo XIV. The Associated Press reported this week that “In naming himself Leo, the new pope could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th century friar who was a great companion to St. Francis of Assisi, the late pope’s namesake.” For Iron Boy, Leo was a mythical figure in a study book Journey to the East by Herman Hesse in an Order course called “The Odyssey,” which I recount taking in Malaysia in my upcoming book. > 10. SERVANT LEADERSHIP - The “Leo” figure in Journey to the East is often associated with the more secular Servant Leadership movement led by Robert Greenleaf starting in the 1970s and in later years by Ken Blanchard and other exemplars. I had the pleasure of publishing a number of Ken Blanchard’s Servant Leadership books when I worked at Berrett-Koehler Publishers during the last two decades. > > From Google AI on the last two points: > > “In Hermann Hesse's Journey to the East, Leo is initially presented as a simple, unassuming servant, but his disappearance triggers the group's disintegration. He is revealed to be the President of the League, a figure who embodies the essence of servant leadership and the unifying force of the group. His absence exposes the fragility of the League's ideals and the lack of true commitment among its members. > > “Here's a more detailed look at Leo's role: > > “Symbol of Servant Leadership: Leo is described as a quiet, supportive, and beloved member of the group, readily helping others and showing a natural affinity with animals. This aligns with the concept of servant leadership, where leaders prioritize the needs of their followers. > “Unifying Presence: Leo's presence, though unassuming, provides a sense of stability and purpose for the group. His disappearance leads to confusion, anxiety, and bickering among the members. > “Hidden Leadership: It's revealed that Leo is not just a servant but the President of the League. This highlights the paradox that true leadership can manifest in humility and service. > “Test of Faithfulness: Leo's disappearance is a deliberate act, a test of the group's commitment to the journey's core values. The group's inability to persevere without him exposes their lack of faith and their internal struggles. > “Symbol of Inner Peace: The journey to the East, and Leo's role within it, can be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Leo's quiet service and the animals' love for him suggest a connection to a higher, more natural order.” > > I wish Pope Leo the best in serving as a bridge to warring factions in the world and among his own flock, and in holding himself and other Catholic Church leaders accountable for their past and present failings in not protecting the children. > > “Peace be with you,” (Pope Leo to world on first day of papacy) and “Grace and peace,” (Order Ecumenical salutation). > > *** > > I'm probably going to use some version of this for my Sunday Housechuch Countdown #5 post tomorrow. If you want to see the previous five countdown post as part of my IRON BOY book launch, you can find them on my Marshall Books blog <https://marshallbooks.wordpress.com/>. > > David Marshall, Moraga, California > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Dialogue mailing list > Dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net

3 3

POPE LEO & IRON BOY: Top-10 Synchronicities
by David Marshall 10 May '25

10 May '25

Order, EI, & ICA former colleagues, I recently joined Substack to provide more long-form content for my family communication books, including my upcoming memoir IRON BOY, and posted this 2-page article yesterday. I noticed some of you are on Substack as well, but for those who aren't, I'm providing a copy below. Title: POPE LEO & IRON BOY: Top-10 Synchronicities Subtitle:Bringing Light to World’s “Dark Night” [image: image.png] Growing up ecumenical, I was exposed to a lot more Catholicism than the average Protestant boy in America, even though my family was officially Methodist. I studied Saint Teresa, Saint Augustine, and Saint Francis as a teenager, and attended Catholic mass from different Religious Houses around the world. Our 30-minute Daily Office service each dawn was full of Episcopalian liturgy, which has similarities to Catholic services. So when Pope Leo was selected by the cardinals in the Vatican this week, I naturally noticed the parallels between Pope Leo and *Iron Boy*, including our global debuts just weeks a part this spring, although mine pales by comparison. Connections abound: 1. CHICAGO - Our formative years were both in Chicago in the 1960s and 1970s, Pope Leo on the South Side, and Iron Boy on the West Side. 2. ORDERS - We both lived monastic lives, Pope Leo in an Augustine Order for priests and Iron Boy in an Ecumenical Family Order (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and other faiths). We both practiced our own versions of poverty, chastity, and obedience. 3. CULTS – Some agnostics and atheists say the Catholic Church is one of the largest cults on the planet. Others say the Order Ecumenical I grew up in was a cult as well. People must judge for themselves. What is a “cult” anyway? Cult survivors recount a sense of belonging and intense community, but also of being taught they are holier than others; believing the cult leader is “all knowing;” giving up their own freedom to “group think;” forced to tolerate leader unaccountability for misdeeds; feeling afraid to leave; and ultimately being ostracized by remaining members after departure. I experienced many of these feelings as well. 4. REFORM - We are both committed to Christian renewal, extending the reforms started by Pope Francis in Pope Leo’s case, and in spreading the good news about demythologized theology in Iron Boy’s case. My platform is admittedly quite small compared to Pope Leo’s. 5. GLOBALISTS - We have lived on multiple continents and speak several languages. 6. PERU - We both lived in Peru as adults, arriving in the 1980s, and had family and missional work in this Latin American country. After my mom left the Order, she lived in Peru for six years with her second husband, and they supported the ICA rural development program in Azpitia, Peru. 7. AGE - We are contemporaries, at 69 years old. 8. ABUSE - Both our respective Orders were accused of preying on children, and had to make hard decisions about what to do about it, with not great results. 9. LEO - Pope Leo was known as Robert Prevost until this week, but will go down in history as Pope Leo XIV. The Associated Press reported this week that “In naming himself Leo, the new pope could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th century friar who was a great companion to St. Francis of Assisi, the late pope’s namesake.” For Iron Boy, Leo was a mythical figure in a study book *Journey to the East* by Herman Hesse in an Order course called “The Odyssey,” which I recount taking in Malaysia in my upcoming book. 10. SERVANT LEADERSHIP - The “Leo” figure in *Journey to the East* is often associated with the more secular Servant Leadership movement led by Robert Greenleaf starting in the 1970s and in later years by Ken Blanchard and other exemplars. I had the pleasure of publishing a number of Ken Blanchard’s Servant Leadership books when I worked at Berrett-Koehler Publishers during the last two decades. >From Google AI on the last two points: “In Hermann Hesse's *Journey to the East*, Leo is initially presented as a simple, unassuming servant, but his disappearance triggers the group's disintegration. He is revealed to be the President of the League, a figure who embodies the essence of servant leadership and the unifying force of the group. His absence exposes the fragility of the League's ideals and the lack of true commitment among its members. “Here's a more detailed look at Leo's role: - “*Symbol of Servant Leadership*: Leo is described as a quiet, supportive, and beloved member of the group, readily helping others and showing a natural affinity with animals. This aligns with the concept of servant leadership, where leaders prioritize the needs of their followers. - “*Unifying Presence*: Leo's presence, though unassuming, provides a sense of stability and purpose for the group. His disappearance leads to confusion, anxiety, and bickering among the members. - “*Hidden Leadership:* It's revealed that Leo is not just a servant but the President of the League. This highlights the paradox that true leadership can manifest in humility and service. - “*Test of Faithfulness:* Leo's disappearance is a deliberate act, a test of the group's commitment to the journey's core values. The group's inability to persevere without him exposes their lack of faith and their internal struggles. - “*Symbol of Inner Peace:* The journey to the East, and Leo's role within it, can be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Leo's quiet service and the animals' love for him suggest a connection to a higher, more natural order.” I wish Pope Leo the best in serving as a bridge to warring factions in the world and among his own flock, and in holding himself and other Catholic Church leaders accountable for their past and present failings in not protecting the children. “Peace be with you,” (Pope Leo to world on first day of papacy) and “Grace and peace,” (Order Ecumenical salutation). *** I'm probably going to use some version of this for my Sunday Housechuch Countdown #5 post tomorrow. If you want to see the previous five countdown post as part of my IRON BOY book launch, you can find them on my Marshall Books blog <https://marshallbooks.wordpress.com/>. David Marshall, Moraga, California

2 2

Path Forward Conversation link Sunday 11 May
by Don Bushman 09 May '25

09 May '25

Greetings Colleagues After last Sunday's meeting, Karen wanted to know: "But what can I do now?" Our response has arises from Bill's reflection about the Oklahoma Human Community Network's effort to convene a statewide congress. *A successful congress in Oklahoma would be an extraordinary accomplishment. BUT what is needed to impact our nation, would be statewide congresses in all purple states, and probably the other red states as well.* To provide an opportunity to consider Bill's challenge, I invite you to join us this coming Sunday. Maybe you have a different answer to Karen's question. 📄 Download the Bill's narrative and supporting document links. <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU01zozgU_DVwSwrEh-Cggx1C4kmIxxOv7Z…> We will gather Sunday 11 May, at: 1:30 p Pac 2:30 p Mtn 3:30 p Cen 4:30 p Est 📄 Zoom link for Path Forward Conversation Sunday <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU81yozgQfhpxSwoESHDQwQ7B9kxI1hNP7M…> Rob asked that the following be shared: *Ken Gillgren just made me aware of this upcoming series on strengthening networks: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/networksfestival2025?srch=&date=&sort=s… <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/networksfestival2025?srch=&date=&sort=s…> I think that Bill and our group would be interested in it. Can you please share it with the group?* And *Would you please share this important article with our group: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fa… <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fa…>* For the Path Forward Triad, (Bill Parker, Sunny Walker, Don Bushman) Don Bushman 828-292-9696

1 0

Jo, I just refound, on my iPad, "Prescient thoughts of John Epps on the mood of the times", You mentioned several reflections from Wayne that were in or near the same file folder. I would like to see them, if possible.
by James Wiegel 02 May '25

02 May '25

Jim Wiegel “We are all time travelers journeying into the future. But let us make that future a place we want to visit. “ Stephen Hawking

1 0

"Order Kid" David Marshall's New Book: IRON BOY: Searching for Freedom Inside a Family Religious Order
by K & D Marshall 01 May '25

01 May '25

Twenty years in germination, I am finally ready to publish my memoir about my experiences in the Order, Ecumenical Institute, and Institute of Cultural Affairs: *IRON BOY: Searching for Freedom Inside a Family Religious Order*. It covers twelve years, starting when I was six years old in 1962 as my family joined a several other minister families in a big house in Evanston, Illinois, followed by the next five years on the Chicago West Side campus until the historical fires after MLK Jr’s death drove us out, and then six years of youth deployment in Iowa, New York City, Kuala Lumpur, Denver, and San Jose CA. Finally, a 40-year-old self weighs in. The story is told in my boy’s voice, with limited vocabulary and awareness at first, which matures as I become more knowledgeable and conscious in my teenage years and beyond. *Who is it for?* IRON BOY is primarily for former members of these three extraordinary organizations and their extended families. It is for the remaining “Order Adults” and “Order Kids,” but also for ICA folks who never lived the monastic Order life. It is for “Spirit Movement” people who never become interns and priors. It is for the Order Kids’ partners and their children, like my own two kids, who only heard about these revolutionary times second hand. It is for my cousin Randy, whom I visited every summer in Oklahoma in the 1960s during my brief respites from Order life, who recently told me, “The 'normal' of your childhood was always unfathomable to me.” In a broader sense, it is for anyone struggling with "group think" and "us vs. them." Long from now, it is for my children’s children. *What is it about?* Having spent 16 years in the book publishing business, we always asked prospective authors, “What’s the Big Idea of your book?” If they could not say it in a couple of sentences, we asked them to return to the drawing board. IRON BOY is about FREEDOM of the human spirit in the way we taught it in RS-1 on Saturday afternoon with the Freedom Lecture and the Bonhoeffer paper, followed by the *Requiem for a Heavyweight *movie that evening. It deconstructs my first RS-1 in the West Side chapel at eleven years old. But if you are looking for a black and white treatment of the Order, EI, and ICA, this book is not for you. It is neither a blanket indictment of these three organizations nor a love fest about them. In my opinion, it is a nuanced view that may make some readers cheer and others recoil. But it is an honest portrayal of a boy’s rite of passage from darkness to spirit freedom. *When and where can I read it?* It will be published on June 15, 2025 on Amazon. You can pre-order the e-book now <https://www.amazon.com/IRON-BOY-Search-Freedom-Religious-ebook/dp/B0F3Y36V8…>, but you must wait until the publication date to order the paperback (Amazon’s rules, not mine). The e-book costs U.S. $9.99 and the paperback costs U.S. $19.99. For those of you who are my Facebook friends, or follow me on other social media sites, I have been doing a 10-week countdown every Sunday starting earlier this month. I usually share several photos and something about the book. You can see the weekly countdown on my Marshall Books blog <https://marshallbooks.wordpress.com/>. David Marshall, Moraga, California Link: Iron Boy Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.com/IRON-BOY-Search-Freedom-Religious-ebook/dp/B0F3Y36V8… Link: 10-Week Book Launch Countdown: https://marshallbooks.wordpress.com/ -- www.marshallbooks.net

1 0