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Martin Gilbraith — a great colleague! Listen to his story
by James Wiegel 10 Jun '25

10 Jun '25

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Fwd: Selma
by Ken Fisher 05 Jun '25

05 Jun '25

Beloved Colleagues, It’s not March 25th. The 60th anniversary of MLK’s Selma to Montgomery passed 70 days ago. In searching for Marsha Hahn’s email address, I came across this email chain from 14 years ago. Its relevance to our circumstances today speaks for itself. Thank-you, Anne Woods, Judy Linblad and Charles Hahn for your witness. Your words are eternal. Ken https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_to_Montgomery_marches#:~:text=The%20Sel…. > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Charles or Doris Hahn <cdhahn(a)flash.net> > Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Selma > Date: August 6, 2011 at 5:47:55 PM EDT > To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net> > Reply-To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net> > > Selma seems to have captured us. So I shall tell an expanded account of Selma. Bob FishelFishel and I were the first to go from EI/the Order. We were working in the Local Church Project (what was to become Fifth City). The day after the terrible attack on MLK's attempt to march across the bridge, King put out an appeal for clergy from across the country to come and help. Fishel said let's go. I said OK. We asked JWM for permission to go and to be sent. He said yes. So that night (Monday night) we were on a flight to Montgomery. Also on the plane we met two Chicago pastors who were a part of the Clergy Cadre we had just formed. We were met at the airport and driven to Selma by a woman from Detroit who was helping the cause. > > It was a very exciting event with great services in one of the Black churches at least twice a day and almost continuous rallies of one kind or another. We stayed with black families in Selma. I think it was the second day after we arrived a Congregational Pastor from New England was beaten to death with baseball bats at a restaurant in Selma. We had been urged to stay in the neighborhood of the church, but two or three pastors decided it would be safe go for a meal in the center of town. How wrong they were. > > The decision had been made to keep a significant contingent of people ready to march toward and across the bridge toward Montgomery. The third or fourth night we were there Fishel and I were assigned to be in the "ready to march" contingent. There were other clergy and many students, both black and white---perhaps 75-100 altogether. We all were singing Freedom Movement songs and dancing, etc. After a while The two our three rows of students ahead of us began to surge toward the line of heavily armed State Police blocking the way to the Bridge, and the whole contingent joined in. Off to the side officers from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation were photographing us. The surge would go directly up to the faces of the officers almost bumping into them. Fishel and I were in the third row. This really frightened me. If someone should trip and fall into an officer, I could not imagine what might happen. I turned to Fishel and said: "We have to stop this. It's too dangerous. He broke into raucous laughter, and just shook his head. It suddenly dawned on me the reality of the famous phrase of the period "You can't trust anyone over 30." Fishel was 26 and I was 34. We survived the night. > > After a few days it was decided that I should return to Chicago and help get the busload of people from Fifth City recruited and ready to go for the final push. David Scott was sent to replace me, and to help prepare for the arrival of the bus. I was to stop in Washington on my way and visit two Texas Senators and two Texas Representatives I knew. Particularly, we wanted to thank Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas, who was the only Southern Senator to express outrage in the Senate over what had happened on the Bridge. > > I cannot remember who was on the bus; however, I am certain that Joe was not. > > I hope I have shed a little common memory on the subject and that this has not been too verbose. > > Grace and Peace, > Charles > > From: Norm and Judy Lindblad <nj.lindblad(a)gmail.com <mailto:nj.lindblad@gmail.com>> > To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net <mailto:dialogue@wedgeblade.net>> > Sent: Sat, August 6, 2011 11:25:45 AM > Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Selma > > Thank you Anne for this vivid retelling. There are so many stories! We are blessed to have them and to have folks like you, who were eye witnesses to history, share them with us. > > In our pre-EI days, we were at First Presbyterian Church, Hartford, Conn. When our pastor, George Cox, told the congregation that he felt called to go to Selma, Norm and I dug into our newlywed pockets and contributed for his bus fare. > > These are still the times and we are still the people. > > Grace and peace, Judy Lindblad > > On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 3:17 PM, Anne Wood <awoodewm(a)aol.com <mailto:awoodewm@aol.com>> wrote: >> >> Betty Pesek was not there and neither was Joe Mathews. >> >> My memory of the event is vivid but the cast of characters is blurred.... >> >> I remember Donna McClesky was there and she was very pregnant at the time. I also think that Joe Slicker and Fred Buss were there. >> >> We rode all night on a Greyhound bus........We arrived at some field where they were putting up a huge tent.... there was to be some sort of entertainment that night. >> >> There had been much reported in the news about the "kind of trash" that was participating in the march (including the easy availability of prostitutes). Sooooooooo I had worn my most expensive "David Dow" suit, heels and yes white gloves. >> >> As we got off the bus and strolled across the field to the tent suddenly out of no where came wind and sheets of rain! We rushed under the tent for cover just as the tent pole pulled out of the ground...into the air.....and we were all knocked into what had become a mess of mud and we were trapped under the collapsed tent. So much for a respectable appearance! >> >> There's lots more to this story......it was indeed an awesome event and I will never forget a moment >> >> Anne Wood. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Dialogue mailing list >> Dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net <mailto:Dialogue@wedgeblade.net> >> http://wedgeblade.net/mailman/listinfo/dialogue_wedgeblade.net >> > > _______________________________________________ > Dialogue mailing list > Dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net <mailto:Dialogue@wedgeblade.net> > http://wedgeblade.net/mailman/listinfo/dialogue_wedgeblade.net

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Remembering the gift that Linda Alton has been to the ToP Community.
by Marilyn Oyler 03 Jun '25

03 Jun '25

Though Parkinson's disease may have dimmed Linda's light in recent years, the brilliance of who she was—and the love she poured into building our ToP community—will shine on forever in each of us she touched. When Linda Alton <https://www.facebook.com/groups/117010510211/user/1019464018/?__cft__[0]=AZ…> left the full-time ICA staff and made Minneapolis her home, she didn't just relocate—she planted seeds that would grow into something beautiful. She became the heart of our training and facilitation family, and I was blessed to be her partner in this work. Together, we poured ourselves into creating something meaningful: more than 15 Mastering the Technology of Participation trainings, countless facilitation events, continuing to develop advanced courses and a network that became so much more than the sum of its parts. Linda had this extraordinary gift—she could see potential in everyone she met. I used to joke that she could recruit anyone to our cause. Put her in an elevator with a stranger on the eighth floor, and by the ground floor, they'd be signed up for a course! But it wasn't just her persuasive charm—it was her genuine belief in people and her infectious passion for what we were building together. She was a really dynamic facilitator who always had her groups laughing. She was our anchor when storms hit. When the ICA community faced its darkest hour and the training staff was dismissed, Linda didn't retreat—she opened her arms wider. She organized meetings to help us find our way forward. When new trainers and facilitators needed a chance, Linda became their champion, sharing not just her connections and expertise, but her generous heart. How many times did Linda welcome not just me but so many of us into her home for trainings and meetings? Her table was always set with good food, great humor, and even better conversation. Those evenings weren't just about work—they were about friendship, about sharing our dreams and dilemmas with someone who truly understood. Linda had this way of making you feel seen, supported, and never alone in the work. Linda was more than a colleague or ToP Network co-founder (among many) —she was a mentor to many of the those who Mentor today. She was a cheerleader and a friend who believed in the power of bringing people together. And she contained so many multitudes the Network had to invent a new title - the ToP Network 'Animator' when it hired her to bring life to it's early years. Her legacy lives on in every facilitator she guided, every trainer she encouraged, and every life touched by the community she helped nurture. We will carry her spirit forward—that generous, innovative, unstoppable force for good that was uniquely Linda. She is deeply missed and will be forever cherished. -- Marilyn Oyler Partners in Participation Phoenix, AZ marilyn.oyler(a)gmail.com www.partnersinparticipation.com 602 468 0605 or 602 460 8843 (mobile) Purchase a sticky wall on www.partnersinparticipation.com Visit our airbnb https://bit.ly/37HPqqq

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Re: [Dialogue] Dialogue Digest, Vol 159, Issue 2
by Lawrence Philbrook 03 Jun '25

03 Jun '25

Richard thank you for the note. Seva mentioned it to us Sunday or Monday just as I was arriving from Cambodia. Linda was always an ally, we worked together for five great years in Kenya and then off and on while she was in Brussels. Our last real connection was 10 years ago co-assessing a Ukrainian facilitator. She in Minnesota and Larry first in Taipei and then in Kyiv. Her energy and joy at the opportunity to connect with them and me was joyful Linda was always present with positive energy even when she was describing a challenge. A quick recognition of reality or a question that allowed it to be explored. Evelyn and I will miss her and stay in deep appreciation for her spirit and care. With love and respect Larry and Evelyn Philbrook > > From: Richard Alton <richard.alton(a)gmail.com <mailto:richard.alton@gmail.com>> > Subject: [Oe List ...] In Loving Memory of Linda Alton > Date: June 2, 2025 at 18:56:46 GMT-5 > To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>>, Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net>> > > >>>> In Loving Memory of Linda Alton >>>> >>>> Linda Alton’s life was one of courage, conviction, and compassionate service. >From her early days at the University of California, Berkeley—where she earned both her B.A. and M.A. between 1963 and 1970—Linda was a powerful force for change. As editor of the Berkeley Yearbook and an active voice in the Free Speech Movement and the anti-Vietnam War resistance, she stood firmly for justice and truth, even when it wasn’t easy. >>>> >>>> While still a student, Linda journeyed to Harlem to work in storefront schools, helping high school students who had dropped out find their way back to education and hope. It was there she encountered the Ecumenical Institute, whose mission of global community service would soon become her own. In 1970, she joined the Institute’s staff in San Francisco, beginning a lifelong commitment to international development and human dignity. >>>> >>>> In 1976, with her young daughter Christina by her side, Linda moved to the Philippines to co-direct a USAID-funded community development project with the newly formed Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). There, she led efforts to support women’s small businesses, empowering families and transforming communities from the ground up. >>>> >>>> Her journey continued to Kenya, where Linda and her growing family—including her second daughter, Kay, born in Nairobi—devoted themselves to uplifting lives in both urban slums and rural villages. Together with a local staff of 150, she helped shape development initiatives that reached thousands of communities across the country. >>>> >>>> Later, in Brussels, Belgium, Linda served as Program Director at ICA’s global headquarters, bringing her deep wisdom, compassion, and leadership to an international stage. >>>> >>>> She moved to Minnesota with her partner Lynne Larsen to create a home for themselves in Minneapolis. She was a lead technical trainer/convenor with Minnesota Technology of Participation up until she retired. >>>> >>>> Linda’s legacy is not just found in the places she lived or the programs she led—but in the countless lives she touched, the justice she stood for, and the love she gave so freely. Her spirit lives on in the communities she served and in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. (Daughters: Christina & Katherine Alton, Grandson: Wyatt Wren, Wife: Lynne Larsen) >>>> > > > -- > Richard H. T. Alton > ICA Global Fund > United Methodist Net Zero > T: 773.344.7172 > richard.alton(a)gmail.com <mailto:richard.alton@gmail.com> > Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 > Won't you be my neighbor?

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In Loving Memory of Linda Alton
by Richard Alton 03 Jun '25

03 Jun '25

*In Loving Memory of Linda Alton * >> >> Linda Alton’s life was one of courage, conviction, and compassionate >> service. From her early days at the University of California, >> Berkeley—where she earned both her B.A. and M.A. between 1963 and >> 1970—Linda was a powerful force for change. As editor of the *Berkeley >> Yearbook* and an active voice in the Free Speech Movement and the >> anti-Vietnam War resistance, she stood firmly for justice and truth, even >> when it wasn’t easy. >> >> While still a student, Linda journeyed to Harlem to work in storefront >> schools, helping high school students who had dropped out find their way >> back to education and hope. It was there she encountered the Ecumenical >> Institute, whose mission of global community service would soon become her >> own. In 1970, she joined the Institute’s staff in San Francisco, beginning >> a lifelong commitment to international development and human dignity. >> >> In 1976, with her young daughter Christina by her side, Linda moved to >> the Philippines to co-direct a USAID-funded community development project >> with the newly formed Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). There, she led >> efforts to support women’s small businesses, empowering families and >> transforming communities from the ground up. >> >> Her journey continued to Kenya, where Linda and her growing >> family—including her second daughter, Kay, born in Nairobi—devoted >> themselves to uplifting lives in both urban slums and rural villages. >> Together with a local staff of 150, she helped shape development >> initiatives that reached thousands of communities across the country. >> >> Later, in Brussels, Belgium, Linda served as Program Director at ICA’s >> global headquarters, bringing her deep wisdom, compassion, and leadership >> to an international stage. >> >> She moved to Minnesota with her partner Lynne Larsen to create a home for >> themselves in Minneapolis. She was a lead technical trainer/convenor >> with Minnesota Technology of Participation up until she retired. >> >> Linda’s legacy is not just found in the places she lived or the programs >> she led—but in the countless lives she touched, the justice she stood for, >> and the love she gave so freely. Her spirit lives on in the communities she >> served and in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. (Daughters: >> Christina & Katherine Alton, Grandson: Wyatt Wren, Wife: Lynne Larsen) >> > -- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United 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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Celebration of Life Service for Ellen Rebstock
by Karen Snyder 01 Jun '25

01 Jun '25

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 Ellen Long Rebstock SATURDAY, JUNE 14 11:00AM CST Zoom Link <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87145021225?pwd=gGLxIW5m43AUysxJc00iYmFWooxF9g.1> Obituary available here <https://epilogg.com/obituary/ellen-vinette-long-rebstock-minnetonka-mn-usa-…>. Please email mrebstock(a)gmail.com <mailto:mrebstock@gmail.com> with any questions.

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ATTENTION: Link to film re "Laudato Si'" and Pope Francis' Legacy: "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
by Ellie Stock 20 May '25

20 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

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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

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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

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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

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