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David Morton's Passing
by Mari Crocker 30 Nov '23

30 Nov '23

(This is my third attempt to get this message out to you. I seem to have sent it to an old address. Hope this gets through this time. Marilyn) Dear OE/ICA Global Colleagues, It is with deep sadness, and permission from the family, that I share the news that our dear colleague and longtime personal friend of the the Crocker family, David Morton, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023. David contracted a rapidly progressing form of pneumonia that did not respond to massive doses of antibiotics, and his breathing failed. David and his first wife, Betsy (deceased 1989), were members of the EI/OE community from 1967 - 1978, serving in assignments in various places in the US and Australia. David, a committed researcher, teacher and voracious reader, significantly expanded our Order’s outreach to understand the “new quantum sciences” and their intersection with theology in the years he was a Prior of our Research Centrum in Chicago. He also served on the Global Panchayat, and was one of the major writers/editors of The Order Polity Document, at the request of our founder and Dean, Joseph Mathews, (just before Joe's death in 1977), to “pull together the fundamental operating principles and foundational understandings of our experimental family religious order.” My husband Joe and I were blessed to have been assigned to work with the Morton family both in Chicago, and in Sydney, Australia — and continued our friendship after 1988 when the OE was called out of being, and many of us continued to live out our commitment to serve those in need in many different ways. Joe officiated at the lovely marriage of David and his wife, Denney, in 1991 and we have continued to be close friends, especially as it became more possible when Joe and I moved to Maine in 1999. David and Betsy’s children, Kim Morton Case and Luke Morton, and Denney’s three daughters from a previous marriage, Kate, Julie and Susan all are gathering around to support their blended family in this time of loss. I’m sure messages of condolence to David’s wife and family will be deeply appreciated: Mrs. David Morton, Apt. 2A. 18 Blueberry Lane, Falmouth, ME 04105. Cell: 207-400-9955. Email: denneymorton(a)gmail.com <mailto:denneymorton@gmail.com>; or Kim Morton Case, E mail: casebkim(a)gmail.com <mailto:casebkim@gmail.com> With abundant gratitude for David’s life and his gifts to us all, I offer this — and will send additional information as the family requests. Grace and peace, Marilyn Crocker

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Birthday Witness
by Richard Alton 30 Nov '23

30 Nov '23

*Birthday Thoughts: My Solar Hero* I was struck by Terry Bergdall’s Thanksgiving report from Litibu about his solar cooking for his community dinner. What a great image of our future. Actually, this is the second time Terry has brought solar to the community. Not long ago, Terry was the Executive Director of ICA USA and started a social investment program to fund Kemper’s (Greenrise) own solar system. You invest in the solar system and then from the savings in electricity the Institute would pay you back in cash (50%) and the other half in tax deductions. Absolutely brilliant (somebody told me the real thinker was the late Board member and financier Bob Rafos) but Terry put it into action which was the huge task. Bless him. Solar now covers 25% of our energy use in the Greenrise building. I have become fascinate with solar; after Sally and I invested in the ICA solar project, we did a solar system on our church, which helped reduce our energy cost dramatically. We not only did solar on the roof but also community solar where you buy solar panels in a solar field, which puts solar energy in the system to match your energy used. You could argue you were Net Zero. All our energy was renewable energy. Bless the Methodist Church: they just committed to be Net Zero by 2050. Our Methodist Conference’s Bishop came out with a Net Zero Task Force that is making solar a huge focus. Reminds me of H. Richard paper on the Church as Social Pioneer. The church is being the church when it is the first to repent for the sins of a society, turns its back on it and leads society in the social act of repentance. And then there is the ICA USA Africa Fund which has found an amazing amount of interest in village solar. Zimbabwe has combined solar with their Self Help Groups saving to rotate getting a home solar system. Women groups in Zambia are using solar to keep their chicks warm at night. Ghana has used solar to bring lights to the community. Kenya has just started Self Help Groups to save for family solar kits. Uganda has over 2,000 families in Self Help Groups saving for solar. As Richard Kirya reported on Uganda solar work: “More than 90% of the 230,000 people living in Budaka District of Uganda live without reliable access to electricity. There are reports where young school going children ten to fifteen-year-old have been badly burned in kerosene accidents in the countryside and urban slum communities. The families and children rely on kerosene lamps for lighting their homes; these are very smoky and blacken their home and clothes with soot. The school going children rely on kerosene to study, which is dangerous and produces poor-quality lighting. They cannot study longer, and efficiently. Some homes have experienced total burn of their entire homes causing loss of life long achieved properties.” The world is in a precipitance state. As global leaders gathered in Dubai for the United Nations climate talks known as COP28 this month, we must acknowledge that the fossil fuel age is out of gas- that its end is inevitable, we must ramp up renewables and phase out fossil fuels. Our future is helping communities become Climate Change Ready. Not only with solar energy but, most importantly, coming together to build communities moving together… recognizing we do not stand a chance alone. My survival depends on you. Niebuhr saw this tragedy of ‘individual overemphasis’ and not recognizing how ‘self and society are bound together’. Dick Alton, Greenrise Community member, entering 82 and working to be the church. Became religious and a theologian in 1968. -- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund The Last Chapter Methodist Net Zero T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton(a)gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?

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Completed life of Jack Gilles
by Terry Bergdall 30 Nov '23

30 Nov '23

Jack died peacefully early this morning and, according to his strongest wises, at his home at the Litibu EcoVillage in Mexico. Grace and Peace, Terry Bergdall

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Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Completed life of Jack Gilles
by A.M. Noel 29 Nov '23

29 Nov '23

Linda and I are so thankful for the opportunity to work with Jack and Judy in India and so many places across the world. He was a scientist coach, spiritual giant and great friend who was committed to leaving a better place than what he experienced A.M. Noel On Wed, Nov 29, 2023 at 10:50 AM Marian Karpoff via OE < oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > Jack was a leader in the early Cleveland cadre of which we were a part. We > have treasured his friendship and direction all these years. > We are thankful for his life, wisdom and care. > Fred and Marian > > On Wed, Nov 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM Martha Laird via OE < > oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > >> I, too, came out of the Cleveland region with Jack and spent many hours >> in other locations with him, including Chicago. Every hour spent was a >> delight. >> >> Martha (Laird) >> >> >> On Nov 29, 2023, at 1:18 PM, Joan via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: >> >> >> You never forget your first RS1 teacher so I can never forget Jack. We >> both came out of the Cleveland Region. We have journeyed together, >> shoulder to shoulder for many years. Journey on. >> >> Joan Knutson >> On Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 04:56:07 AM MST, Terry Bergdall via OE >> <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: >> >> >> Jack died peacefully early this morning and, according to his strongest >> wises, at his home at the Litibu EcoVillage in Mexico. >> >> Grace and Peace, >> Terry Bergdall >> _______________________________________________ >> OE mailing list >> OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net >> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net >> _______________________________________________ >> OE mailing list >> OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net >> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OE mailing list >> OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net >> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net >> > _______________________________________________ > OE mailing list > OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net >

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Latest addition to the Global Archives
by Karen Snyder 29 Nov '23

29 Nov '23

In the earliest days of the Ecumenical Institute of the 1960s, teams of people taught the first course of the religious studies series, Religious Studies I (RSI), to thousands across the United States and around the world. Gene Marshall was one of those great teachers - then and now! Michael May now shares his Interior Mythos Journeys series as "a re-packaged 21st Century presentation of the curriculum that took so many of us on a journey so many years ago” (https://interiormythos.com/) Michael gave permission to have Gene Marshall’s presentation on “G-O-D” in Life Journey #6: The Ultimate Love to be added to the RSI section of the Global Archives here: https://icaglobalarchives.org/collections/spiritmovement/rs-i-plc/ (click on the God section to see it). It is on YouTube as well here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNSXVbVLcbs&t=548s Life Journey - The Ultimate Love youtube.com Enjoy!

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Celebrating the Completed Life of Sandra Lynne Rafos
by Sharon Rafos 19 Nov '23

19 Nov '23

It is with deep sadness that we report that our Mother, Sandra Lynne Rafos, passed away Monday, November 13, 2023. She died peacefully at home with her daughters Kim, Sharon and Robin by her side. She lived an amazing and spirited life. No doubt she is dancing in heaven with our Father. May they walk together, reunited in peace. Sandra Lynne Rafos Obituary <https://www.canalefuneral.com/obituaries/SANDRA-LYNNE-RAFOS?obId=29923771> [image: girlsatdunes.jpg][image: 101_0230.JPG] In peace and prayer, Sharon Rafos -- srafos(a)gmail.com (231) 340-0634

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Re: [Dialogue] Dialogue Digest, Vol 140, Issue 9
by Lawrence Philbrook 18 Nov '23

18 Nov '23

I appreciate Dharma’s comment about another part of our community being gone. I have been struggling to find my voice and still do not feel up to is but I felt moved to speak. I was trying to say something about Elaine Telford, David Rebstock, and Sandy. I can not speak to wholeness and gift of each but I can describe how they intersected my life my life in a particular order and each impacted me and others. Each had a combination of wisdom and an ability to hold the space in a gentle way, less assertive than my own but just as steadfast. They held their ground and invited others to reflect and choose their own. Sandy I have known the longest and had interaction with as she changed and I changed. I remember many things but I remember most her ability to say no gracefully and with care. I do not remember a time I changed her mind but I remember several in which I learned something and together we made a third choice. Elaine I remember from Africa where she tended to speak less but when she did whatever she said needed to be heard. David I am sure I have known a long time but I did not meet him until Covid or just before as the virtual world of books and research expanded. Several time David and Jim Wiegel and I worked together on projects of learning. I really appreciated his intention to follow and to understand. To try to make sure that commitments made are commitments met. With love, respect and remembrance Larry Philbrook Taipei > On Nov 18, 2023, at 11:40, dialogue-request(a)lists.wedgeblade.net wrote: > > Send Dialogue mailing list submissions to > dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > dialogue-request(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > dialogue-owner(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Dialogue digest..." > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: [Oe List ...] Celebrating the Completed Life of Sandra > Lynne Rafos (Dharmalingam Vinasithamby) > > From: Dharmalingam Vinasithamby <dvinasithamby(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Celebrating the Completed Life of Sandra Lynne Rafos > Date: November 18, 2023 at 11:40:41 GMT+8 > To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net>, ICA List <dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net> > Cc: Sharon Rafos <srafos(a)gmail.com>, Robin Gmail <robrafosroy(a)gmail.com>, Kim Gmail <ksirrine(a)gmail.com> > > > Dear Sharon, > > My condolences to you. We grieve that with her passing, yet another part of our community is gone. It makes it more clear how precious she and all others who left are to us. > > Dharma > > On Saturday, 18 November 2023 at 10:46:58 am GMT+8, Sharon Rafos via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > > > It is with deep sadness that we report that our Mother, Sandra Lynne Rafos, passed away Monday, November 13, 2023. She died peacefully at home with her daughters Kim, Sharon and Robin by her side. She lived an amazing and spirited life. No doubt she is dancing in heaven with our Father. May they walk together, reunited in peace. > > Sandra Lynne Rafos Obituary <https://www.canalefuneral.com/obituaries/SANDRA-LYNNE-RAFOS?obId=29923771> > > <girlsatdunes.jpg><101_0230.JPG> > > In peace and prayer, > > Sharon Rafos > -- > > srafos(a)gmail.com <mailto:srafos@gmail.com> > (231) 340-0634 > > > _______________________________________________ > OE mailing list > OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net > <101_0230.JPG><girlsatdunes.jpg> > > _______________________________________________ > Dialogue mailing list > Dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net

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Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Celebrating the Completed Life of Sandra Lynne Rafos
by Isobel and Jim 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

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Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Celebrating the Completed Life of Sandra Lynne Rafos
by Isobel and Jim 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

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Virtual Memorial Service for David Rebstock
by Karen Snyder 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

> The Rebstock Family invite you to join them at the Celebration of Life Service for David on December 9 at 11:00 CST. RSVP below to receive a zoom link. > > From: Mark Rebstock <mrebstock(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Virtual Memorial Service for David Rebstock > Date: November 13, 2023 at 9:57:01 PM CST > Cc: "David & Ellen Rebstock" <grapevin2(a)gmail.com> > > CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE > HOSTED BY THE REBSTOCK FAMILY & > PEACE CHURCH UCC- ROCHESTER, MN > Please join us for a virtual service to honor the memory of David Milton Rebstock. > > SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 > 11:00AM CST > > Please RSVP here. <https://forms.gle/wXc92x834aBnSYfaA> > > A Zoom link for the service will be emailed to you within 24 hours. > Please email mrebstock(a)gmail.com <mailto:mrebstock@gmail.com> with any questions.

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