A great privilege I remember was being in 5th City for Thanksgiving, 1975,
when neighborhood colleagues came to help prepare the feast. I learned how
to make genuine candied sweet potatoes. We had so much fun, cooking and
laughing.
A teenager heated her metal comb on a burner. The smell of singed hair as
she used it is still vivid.
Caught a glimpse of Ruth Carter in the 50/50 ICA video we saw at the
Hamiltons. What a marvelous model of womanhood. Is anyone in touch with her?
My condolences to Robert Schropshire's family. Seems like it was his Ur
lecture that so addressed my life when I was on the Academy staff, spring
'74. He certainly didn't fit into any stereotype.
Blessings on this community as we "gather at the river."
Jann McGuire
In a message dated 6/1/2012 8:22:53 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
mardavscott(a)gmail.com writes:
Phylis Christmas
On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Nancy Lanphear <nancy(a)songaia.com> wrote:
> Dear Ones,
>
> Our common memory is such a gift. Each of us can let go of some of our
> worry about loosing our own. Thanks for sharing your memories with me.
>
> Love,
>
> Nancy
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 7:48 AM, E B <marosel2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> Who can forget Dawn Lingo and Lynette Shanklin?
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Mary Laura Jones <mljones2022(a)gmail.com>
>> To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 9:37 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Being Black in the Order Ecumenical
>>
>> I learned so much from Lois Reeves and Emma Melton in the Cleveland
>> Region. I am so grateful for their presence in our lives. Many things
they
>> said still make me smile. Their wisdom and leadership were very
important
>> in the ICA's work.
>>
>> Mary Laura Jones
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 9:12 AM, McCabe, Diann A <dm14(a)txstate.edu>
wrote:
>>
>> Sharon Turner stands out for me. Vincent Scott and Mary. And deep
>> colleague in Mississippi, the late Ruth Wilson.
>>
>> Diann McCabe
>>
>>
>>
>> On 6/1/12 8:17 AM, "Nancy Lanphear" <nancy(a)songaia.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Randy,
>>
>> I, too would appreciate hearing some of the stories about what it was
like
>> to be black in the Order. I remember Phoebe Reynolds, Christine
Harris, and
>> some of the children .... Tad and Todd Mueller, Eric Shropshire, Adam
and
>> Kaira Lingo, Emanuel Ward, Kevin Woodward ... I am sorry , who are the
>> others who have slipped through my memory ...? Thank you Joyce and
Randy
>>
>> Nancy
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 3:55 AM, R Williams <rcwmbw(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> Joyce,
>>
>> Your brief comment, in remembering Robert Shropshire, about what it was
>> like to be black and to have been in the O:E has me wanting to hear
more
>> about what that experience was like, and trying to
>> recall our black Order colleagues prior to our being dispersed around
the
>> globe, embracing cultures of color everywhere.
>>
>> In addition to you, Carlos and Shropshire, I remember Larry Ward, Nadine
>> Ward, Harold Williams and Richard whose last name was, I think, Epson.
>> Other faces are pictured in my mind's eye whose names I cannot recall.
Who
>> were they?
>>
>> My interest is peaked by the fact that the white majority, in the U.S at
>> least, is shrinking and will likely soon no longer exist, combined
with the
>> fact that there is a glimmer of indication that cultural diversity of
all
>> kinds is coming to be not only tolerated but embraced by more and more
>> people.
>>
>> On behalf of the future, with an eye toward how all people
>> may live together in peace on this flat, increasingly diverse and
crowded
>> planet, I would love to hear more of your reflections, as well as those
of
>> others, on what it was like then to be black and in the O:E and what,
with
>> 50 years of experience behind us, we all have learned.
>>
>> A conversation like this could be a fitting tribute to Robert, Nadine,
>> Harold and others now departed who have impacted our community
>> and consciousness over the years.
>>
>> Randy
>>
>> "Listen to what is emerging from yourself to the course of being in the
>> world; not to be supported by it, but to bring it to reality as it
desires."
>> -Martin Buber (adapted)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OE mailing list
> OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net
> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
>
--
Margaret and David Scott
Flathead Valley College
_______________________________________________
OE mailing list
OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net
http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
On June 1, 2012, George Holcombe <geowanda1(a)me.com> wrote:
I understand Robert's service will be tomorrow. Do you have any
information and could you post it on the list serve? Some in the area may
want to attend.
Conna informs me that his funeral will be Saturday, Jun3 2, visitation at
10 am, service is at 11:00 am at
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church
9147 S Jeffery Blvd
Chicago, IL 60617
773-721-2393
773-721-0538
office(a)bethanychicago.org
http://www.bethanychicago.org
Terry
My, these are beautiful fragments of a great life.
Can we all get on-line on a skype conference call and sing: "For all the
saints...." or maybe: "Free men live..." ?
Paul
In a message dated 01/06/2012 07:37:09 GMT Daylight Time,
jkjmbarker(a)bigpond.com writes:
REMEMBERING ROBERT SHROPSHIRE
Robert is remembered with deep affection and gratitude by the Mowanjum
community and all of us who were there as staff in the Derby Religious House
in the early 70's. His presence in an Aboriginal community in the remote
North West Kimberley region of Australia caused far more attention than he was
comfortable with. The press were on to his presence - at first positive
when a great photo appeared on the front page of "The Northern Times" of him
with the senior elder Micky Bunguni in front of a new sign "Mowanjum
Community - Mission to the World" together with the wedgeblade. But later the
same paper led a scare campaign with banner headlines "Black Power comes to
Derby!" Robert's response was to laugh at the notion that he of all people
should be considered a dangerous threat - after all "I am only a cool school
teacher". Some of our fond memories of Robert are:
* such an empowering and imaginative teacher especially of teenagers *
introducing Aboriginal people to music they had never heard before * his
delight in embellishing the story of the great sheep drive (5,000 of them)
including the fact that they all got lost at the first attempt! * his coolness
towards our tight structures * both his eruptive anger at being treated
"differently" and his gratitude when people were straight with him * being
followed around by giggling school girls * the love of kids who called out
"Shropshire, come here" * his infectious laughter especially at the
incongruence of situations we were faced with * his zany sense of humour and apt
comments when the going was tough * introducing "right on" into the Indigenous
vocabulary * his liberating presence as a proud black man * singing along
with the elder Wattie Ngerdu's favourite song "Free men live in
responsibility" (Wattie could sing but Robert???) - we could go on. People of Mowanjum
will mourn his passing - and are sure to retell great Robert Shropshire
stories.
We also cherish our opportunity to have caught up with him in the nineties
in Chicago and have his distinctive chuckle again etched into our memories
- and yes, the Great Sheep Drive was told once again!
We resonate with Evelyn Philbrook where she says "I somehow feel he is
some where laughing with the Mystery expecting great things from us all to
carry out God's unfinished work."
Goodbye to a true spirit colleague.
Jonathan and Janeen Barker
On 31/05/2012, at 9:45 AM, George Holcombe wrote:
Conna Wilkerson told me that Robert died Tuesday night at his mother's
home in Chicago. A service will be held for him on Saturday.
Wanda and I will never forget Robert. When he arrived at Mowanjum, he was
the star of the show, everyone thought he was the greatest. Years later
Robert and I had a great time playing music at the summer programs. I'm sure
others of us have memories of Robert, too.
George Holcombe
14900 Yellowleaf Tr.
Austin, TX 78728
Mobile 512/252-2756
_geowanda1(a)me.com_ (mailto:geowanda1@me.com)
Hope appeareth, but it is not your Hope—you do not have anything to do
with it. It just appeareth. It comes as a stranger, as an alien—it just
appeareth! You do not even know why you hope. How in the world could you hope
when there is absolutely nothing to justify any hope? ~Joseph W. Mathews
_______________________________________________
Dialogue mailing list
_Dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net_ (mailto:Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net)
_http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net_
(http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net)
=
_______________________________________________
Dialogue mailing list
Dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net
http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Shrop was a delightful colleague who could see through to the profound
spirit core of issues in our community and the world and was willing to
address them insightfully and incisively (what we used to call
"delivering the Word.") All of your comments have rekindled his image
for me. I had the opportunity to bring him onto my team at McDonald's
home office, where he served as Manager of Corporate Contributions back
in the early 80s. I particularly remember him as the way-cool
percussionist in the beloved OE music combo called "The Blues Brothers."
Indeed, we were enriched by the extravagant talents he brought to the
adventure of life in mission.
Marilyn Crocker
On Thu, 31 May 2012 10:37:58 -0500 "Otto, Ken" <ottok(a)crcl.net> writes:
I was also in this Academy with Evelyn and remember his anger about
asking permission to marry in the Order. Every time I came into his
presence after Academy, winter of '74 humor and joy would enter my
being. It was so good to see this man's courage and action. I pray he
is at peasce with the Mystery now.
Ken Otto
From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net
[mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Evelyn Philbrook
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:20 AM
To: oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Death of Robert Shropshire
Robert Shropshire taught my academy and made me laugh and he made me
think about racism, reverse racism, what blocks each of us from being our
potential is just a story, which we can change, simple as that. (Then he
got angry about getting married and he did a collegium which just blew
everyone away.)
He was also a facilitator for the Gibson Human Development Project
Consult in Gibson, North Carolina. I remember when he said he had never
seen a Southern town like Gibson before. He kept singing this song about
the company store under his breath. Those of us who were there knew what
he meant. And then he turned around and said that as a Black African
American man his role was about healing - accountability, absolution and
healing. Then he went and did the Contradiction workshop. It was painful.
He held everyone accountable, white, black, American Indians,
everyone.Then he said it was time for forgiveness. The room was silent.
Everyone looked at the white Mayor, who ran the company store. Then it
was like a revival. Amen, Amen, Amens were said all around, started first
by the Black reverends, and the black school principal, then everyone....
(Or at least that is how I remember it.)
Later, he said, may be he would go to hell for this, but that is what he
needed to do. Amen to men of courage like Robert Shropshire. Sing the
Gibson Town Song under your breath and then Amazing Grace.
His mother is named Evelyn and his daughter is named Evelyn...I never met
anyone besides Bob who knew another Evelyn. I am so sorry to hear of his
death. I somehow feel he is some where laughing with the Mystery
expecting great things from us all to carry out God's unfinished work.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and colleagues who
lived, and worked with Robert Shropshire, a very courageous man indeed.
Evelyn Kurihara Philbrook.
On 5/31/2012 10:59 AM, jsloan45(a)gmail.com wrote:
I am saddened to hear of Robert's death. I often wondered what ever
happened with him. He, Carlos and I enjoyed many long and wrenching
conversations in appropriating being black in American and in the Order.
I have fond memories of teaching the Urban Academy with him. He was a
true treasure, and I pray that his soul is at peace.
Joyce Sloan
On , E B <marosel2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> It is a sad day to hear of Robert's death. He was dean of my first and
second Academy.
> May God have mercy and welcome him into His Kingdom.
> Our deepest condolences to his bereaved family.
> Elsa Batica
> Minneapolis, MN
>
>
> From: George Holcombe geowanda1(a)me.com>
> To: Order Ecumenical Community OE(a)wedgeblade.net>; ICA LIST SERVE
dialogue(a)wedgeblade.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 7:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Death of Robert Shropshire
>
>
>
> Conna Wilkerson told me that Robert died Tuesday night at his mother's
home in Chicago. A service will be held for him on Saturday.
>
> Wanda and I will never forget Robert. When he arrived at Mowanjum, he
was the star of the show, everyone thought he was the greatest. Years
later Robert and I had a great time playing music at the summer programs.
I'm sure others of us have memories of Robert, too.
>
>
> George Holcombe
> 14900 Yellowleaf Tr.
> Austin, TX 78728
> Mobile 512/252-2756
> geowanda1(a)me.com
>
>
> Hope appeareth, but it is not your Hope�you do not have anything to do
with it. It just appeareth. It comes as a stranger, as an alien�it just
appeareth! You do not even know why you hope. How in the world could you
hope when there is absolutely nothing to justify any hope? ~Joseph W.
Mathews
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Dr. Marilyn R. Crocker
123 Sanborn Road
West Newfield, ME 04095
