January 2013 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

Re: [Oe List ...] George's Response to Del
by LAURELCG＠aol.com 09 Jan '13

09 Jan '13

Thank you, George, for bringing us to the primary issue of climate change. I looked at my front lawn this morning and thought, "This is the time to dig it up and plant a native, drought tolerant ground cover of some kind. Our ground water in the San Joaquin Valley is polluted with nitrates, but it's still precious. Hopefully, some young people are working on purifying it. Thankfully, we have a good snow pack so far this season. I pray for rain (and sanity) for my native state of Texas. Hope appeareth indeed. And thank you, Del, for starting this discussion. Blessings, Jann McGuire In a message dated 1/9/2013 8:52:29 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, geowanda(a)earthlink.net writes: Yes, everything seems to be in contention. From gun control to how do we address the rapidly growing inequity between rich and poor, but the matter that will put all of this as secondary is global climate change. What is happening in Australia, the island nations, rise of seas, the Arctic melt and increasing acidity of the oceans, the violent weather, Sandy in the U.S., Cyclone season in other parts of the world and last years Tornado season, expanding desertification and loss of potable water is going to change everything very quickly. Last night at our community meeting the question of water rates came up and the resident who serves on several state and federal water regulation and study groups, jumped to his feet and announced that what we are paying for water is a 4th of what it's worth and the cost will rise rapidly in the coming year, He also pleaded for everyone to stop watering their lawns, saying that's our drinking water. I'd never seen such passion coming from this cool, reasonable mediator type before. It is more than likely that the water sold to rice farmers in South Texas will be cut off because the lakes and aquifers around Austin are at historic lows and even if there were sustained heavy rains it would not fill the lakes or recharge the aquifers. In as much as the wealthy and corporate interests have large stakes in keeping the exploitation of natural resources and pollution levels as they are, or even increasing them, what is unfolding is breaking all of the models of sustainability and, in proportion, governance and life style. It is likely that, in my thinking, that locality will become more contentious and some of the questions that will be driving things will be how can I protect what I have. Facilitators might want to consider how to implement ways to aid the wealthy and the corporate world in how to step back from exploiting consumerism and become expert in conservation and slimming down as a way to profitability. Just as a way was found to eliminate CFCs for the most part and other chemicals creating the Ozone hole, I imagine something similar may begin to occupy the powers that have ignored climate change so far, which will have an enormous effect on how business and governance is done, and will effect everyone's life style and economics, particularly if these measures do not work. Some of the climatologist feel we passed the tipping point. If this be true, what are the models for living on the other side of that? Maybe some of our young folk are already working on that. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin, TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 _geowanda(a)earthlink.net_ (mailto:geowanda@earthlink.net) 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

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Re: [Oe List ...] Salmon: Response to Del
by David Walters 08 Jan '13

08 Jan '13

We may not be able to outlaw guns, but we could outlaw the magazines that are used in assault guns. We could also urge the adoption of laws concerning the sale of ammunition: the size and types of ammunition, how much can be purchased in certaind time frame, and limits who can not purchase. Neither of thesae would be in conflict with the 2nd amendment. -David Walters --- jackcgilles(a)gmail.com wrote: Del, I second Randy's suggestion on Meg's book. I'm about half way through it and it is terrific. I feel everyone needs to read it. $9.99 Kindle edition. My own suggestion for a law on the assault rifles would be to make them illegal, but since it would be extremely hard to confiscate those already owned, I would have them have to be stored at a licensed gun range (people do enjoy shooting them for some perverse reasons) and anyone caught shooting "in the woods" or a place other than a licensed range would loose the weapon and pay a big fine. That way they are not confiscated from citizens, but their use is tightly controlled. Jack On Jan 8, 2013, at 7:32 PM, Randy Williams wrote: > Suggest the reading of Meg Wheatley's latest book So Far From Home. Great statement of the hope beyond hope, in the sense in which Kaz spoke of hope as the greatest temptation. > Randy > > Sent from my iPhone > _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question
by David Walters 07 Jan '13

07 Jan '13

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Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question
by Del Morril 07 Jan '13

07 Jan '13

Thanks to all who tried to help me with this. Now, just tell me where to find "Unread Mail" - I have looked through every menu I have in my outlook without success. Del Del Hunter Morrill 3217 North Mason Avenue Tacoma WA 98407-5419 H: (253) 752-1506; W: (253) 383-5757 <mailto:delhmor@wamail.net> delhmor(a)wamail.net Web site: www. hypnocenter.com The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell) _____ From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Doris Hahn Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 5:32 PM To: Order Ecumenical Community Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question Wish I could help you, Del, but alas.... But welcome back! Best for the New Year, Doris On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 6:35 PM, Del Morril <delhmor(a)wamail.net> wrote: Hi friends, Ever since I got back from my over-a-month stay in "rehab" I have 69 e-mails that are supposedly sitting somewhere but don't come into my outlook in box. Since the number sits right next to "Inbox" on the menu, and has never done so before (usually shows 0 once I read all and send them to wherever else they need to go. Anyone enough of a computer brain out there who can tell me how to bring those in, or whether it is a "phantom"? Greatly appreciate any advice to this nearly computer illiterate. Del Del Hunter Morrill 3217 North Mason Avenue Tacoma WA 98407-5419 H: (253) 752-1506 <tel:%28253%29%20752-1506> ; W: (253) 383-5757 <tel:%28253%29%20383-5757> delhmor(a)wamail.net Web site: www. hypnocenter.com The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell) _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question
by Del Morril 07 Jan '13

07 Jan '13

My MS Outlook e-mail processor shows only the following at the side (I have checked through all drop menus along the top, as well as all along the side without seeing anything remotely resembling unread mail. PERSONAL folders (all of which are ones I have named and use for my filing of e-mails I wish to keep) MAIL (Inbox, Outbox, Junk, Sent items, etc.) CALENDAR CONTACTS TASKS NOTES Nothing else is listed. My Favorites is a on-line, internet category, not an MS Outlook category, at least on my computer. As of now I still show 62 e-mails never processed. As well as the above I plowed through Search folder, Archives folder, etc. I've run out of options as far as I can see. So I get used to it, or hope those 62 will somehow eventually come through. I've already found e-mails in junk folder that I had never read and definitely were not junk, and in the archives that I had not read, so they are all over the place right now. Sent out some responses to e-mails from October. My, but I am having fun! _____ From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Milan Hamilton Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 1:22 PM To: 'Order Ecumenical Community' Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question It should appear in the "Favorites" in the left panel, and/or in the "search" folders toward the bottom. MM From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Lynn Brailsford Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 1:11 PM To: 'Order Ecumenical Community' Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question It should be in the far left panel labeled Folders (goes vertical up down the far left side, not across the top...on mine the choices read Inbox, Unread Mail, Sent Items, the icons for Mail, Calendar, Contacts, etc.) Take care, Lynn Brailsford Consulting LLC Asheville, NC 28806 brailsfordconsulting.com <http://www.brailsfordconsulting.com/> 201-805-6103 (m) 828-398-0618 (t) From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Del Morril Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 3:54 PM To: 'Order Ecumenical Community' Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question Thanks to all who tried to help me with this. Now, just tell me where to find "Unread Mail" - I have looked through every menu I have in my outlook without success. Del Del Hunter Morrill 3217 North Mason Avenue Tacoma WA 98407-5419 H: (253) 752-1506; W: (253) 383-5757 <mailto:delhmor@wamail.net> delhmor(a)wamail.net Web site: www. hypnocenter.com The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell) _____ From: oe-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Doris Hahn Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 5:32 PM To: Order Ecumenical Community Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question Wish I could help you, Del, but alas.... But welcome back! Best for the New Year, Doris On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 6:35 PM, Del Morril <delhmor(a)wamail.net> wrote: Hi friends, Ever since I got back from my over-a-month stay in "rehab" I have 69 e-mails that are supposedly sitting somewhere but don't come into my outlook in box. Since the number sits right next to "Inbox" on the menu, and has never done so before (usually shows 0 once I read all and send them to wherever else they need to go. Anyone enough of a computer brain out there who can tell me how to bring those in, or whether it is a "phantom"? Greatly appreciate any advice to this nearly computer illiterate. Del Del Hunter Morrill 3217 North Mason Avenue Tacoma WA 98407-5419 H: (253) <tel:%28253%29%20752-1506> 752-1506; W: (253) <tel:%28253%29%20383-5757> 383-5757 delhmor(a)wamail.net Web site: www. hypnocenter.com The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell) _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Talk show in English from Berlin
by James Wiegel 06 Jan '13

06 Jan '13

One of the panelists is Ahmed Badawi who has been instrumental in forming the Kumi network to build a more robust approach to conflict transformation by integrating ToP methods with two other approaches to conflict transformation. I wish Kenneth Boulding could have been part of the conversation. > http://www.dw.de/program/quadriga/s-7296-9798 Jim Wiegel Jfwiegel(a)yahoo.com Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of others, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. -- Albert Einstein Partners in Participation Upcoming public course opportunities: ToP Facilitation Methods: Feb 12-13, 2013, May 21-22, 2013, Sep 17-18, 2013 ToP Strategic Planning, Oct 9-10, 2012 The AZ Community of Practice meets the 1st Friday (1-4 pm) of the month Facilitation Mastery : Our Mastering the Technology of Participation program is available in Phoenix in 2012-3. Program begins on Nov 14-16, 2012 See short video http://partnersinparticipation.com/?page_id=55 and website for further details.

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Re: [Oe List ...] an in-box question
by David Walters 05 Jan '13

05 Jan '13

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an in-box question
by Del Morril 05 Jan '13

05 Jan '13

Hi friends, Ever since I got back from my over-a-month stay in "rehab" I have 69 e-mails that are supposedly sitting somewhere but don't come into my outlook in box. Since the number sits right next to "Inbox" on the menu, and has never done so before (usually shows 0 once I read all and send them to wherever else they need to go. Anyone enough of a computer brain out there who can tell me how to bring those in, or whether it is a "phantom"? Greatly appreciate any advice to this nearly computer illiterate. Del Del Hunter Morrill 3217 North Mason Avenue Tacoma WA 98407-5419 H: (253) 752-1506; W: (253) 383-5757 delhmor(a)wamail.net Web site: www. hypnocenter.com The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell)

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1/03/13, Spong: The Birth of Jesus, Part VI. Rahab the Prostitute: The Second Woman in Matthew’s Genealogy
by Ellie Stock 03 Jan '13

03 Jan '13

HOMEPAGE MY PROFILE ESSAY ARCHIVE MESSAGE BOARDS CALENDAR The Birth of Jesus, Part VI. Rahab the Prostitute: The Second Woman in Matthew’s Genealogy The second woman mentioned in the genealogy of Matthew comes out of a story told in the book of Joshua. One can read the details in chapters two and six of that book. There are two things that are noteworthy about this woman. First, she is not a Jew, rather she is a citizen of Jericho and thus presumably a Canaanite, i.e. a Gentile. Second, she is introduced and described in a single word, “harlot,” that is, Rahab was a prostitute, she sold sex for gain. Rahab had clearly entered the folk lore of both Judaism and Christianity for there are references to her in the Hebrew Scriptures in the book of Job: 9:13 and 26:12, in the Psalms: 87:4 and 89:10 and in the book of Isaiah 30:7 and 51:9. In addition to this reference in Matthew’s genealogy, she is also referred to in the Christian Scriptures in two places, Hebrews 11:3 and James 2:35. It is difficult to establish any dependency between Matthew and these other New Testament references, so we have to assume that the story of Rahab must have been a popular one in both Judaism and in early Christianity. In this column today, I want to recount the narrative of Rahab as it appears in the book of Joshua. The context is this: Moses has died in the wilderness of Moab and has been buried by God acting alone in a mysterious and unknown grave, or that is at least the story we receive in the last chapter of Deuteronomy (34). Joshua, Moses’ number one military captain, has assumed the position of the leader of these wandering, nomadic people. As if to validate Joshua with an aura of Moses, a crossing of a body of water in Red Sea fashion has been promised to Joshua at the Jordan River. Beyond that river lay the first military prize for the invading Hebrews, the fortified and walled city of Jericho. While the people were encamped west of the Jordan preparing for that miraculous crossing, Joshua sent two men to spy on Jericho. These spies are unnamed, but they presumably managed to cross the river in daylight and enter the city, the gates of which were not closed until nightfall. They immediately went, as if by some pre-arranged plan, to the house of Rahab the prostitute. Perhaps there was some kind of prior relationship. Perhaps they sought out this house, the only local brothel, for their own entertainment. Perhaps it made strategic sense. Rahab’s house was conveniently located, built as it was into the wall that encircled the city. Certainly a brothel might have been chosen simply to serve to give the spies cover. We will never know. There is certainly the probability that this location and the service Rahab offered were well known to citizens and strangers alike. It was certainly in the “public domain.” Reality says that for a stranger to enter the city and go straight to the house of Rahab would arouse little suspicion. Whatever the reason or reasons, it was to Rahab’s house that Joshua’s spies went and there, the text says, “they lodged.” It seems that they remained there for several days. In time, their presence became known. It would certainly arouse suspicion if regular customers were rebuffed because of the presence of these strangers, and the public utterances of miffed regular customers would surely start rumors flying. In any event, their presence quickly came to the attention of the authorities in Jericho, including the king. Almost immediately they were defined as spies who had illegally entered the land. So the king, apparently knowing where they were, sent a deputation of soldiers to the house of Rahab with orders for the spies to come forth, presumably to be executed, for that was the normal fate of spies. Rahab, however, turns out to be more loyal to the spies than she is to her city, so when she gets wind of the danger, she not only hides the spies, but she lies to the king’s messengers about their continued presence. She did not deny that they had been there, since that seemed to have been a well-established fact. She admitted that they had visited, but that she had no idea where they were from or what their business was in Jericho. They have now gone, she said, telling the authorities that the two men had departed before the gates of the city had been closed when darkness fell. What might have been her motives? Perhaps she was just protecting her customers. Perhaps she had already developed a relationship with one of the spies that altered her priorities. Whatever the reason, Rahab urged the king’s representatives to pursue these spies rapidly for their departure from city, she said, had been recent and they could surely be overtaken. All the while, according to this narrative, Rahab has taken these men to the roof of her house and has hidden them under stalks of flax that were “laid in order” on her roof. The king’s men took Rahab at her word and pursued what they thought were the escaping spies to the Jordan River and across it into the surrounding countryside. When the pursuers had left the city, the gates were closed for the night. No one could now leave and the pursuers could not return until the dawn when the gates were reopened. Rahab then goes to the roof to uncover her hidden guests. She speaks to them as one who knows they are destined to conquer Jericho. She tells them that fear of the invading Hebrews had fallen upon her fellow citizens and has caused their courage to melt away. She tells them that the people have heard of the miracle at the Red Sea and of their conquest of the Amorites in the wilderness and that the citizens of Jericho feel themselves doomed. Then she extracts an oath from the two spies. As I have protected you and dealt kindly with you, she said, I am prepared to continue to serve you by helping you escape. You must first, however, give me a sign that when your people conquer Jericho, you will repay my kindness by sparing my family from death. That means, she says, not just my life but those of my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, their spouses and children. The spies agreed. “Our lives for your life and those of your extended family” was the deal and it seemed to them a fair bargain. So it was agreed. A sign was established. Rahab was to hang a scarlet cord in the window of her house in that protective wall. This cord would be seen by all who passed by. The spies swore that all who were gathered in this house with the scarlet cord would be spared. Then Rahab made a rope and lowered each of the spies in a basket to the ground outside the wall and thus to safety. She instructed them to go to the hills through which their pursuers had already swept and hide there for three days until their pursuers had returned to the city. Their escape was successful and, after three days in the woods, they returned to Joshua with their report. The people of Jericho are faint hearted, the spies said, they know the Lord has given Jericho and its people into our hands. Rahab then disappears from the drama until the conquest of Jericho occurs in chapter six. In the meantime, the swollen, flooded waters of the Jordan have been split, in Red Sea-like fashion, and the army of the Hebrews has crossed that river bed on dry land. Then they set up siege positions outside the walls of the city of Jericho. For six days, the army would walk around those walls following the Ark of the Lord, attended by priests blowing constantly on their trumpets, which in fact were shofars or the horns of a ram. On the seventh day, the Hebrew army walked around the city walls seven times with the ram’s horns being blown constantly. When the seventh journey around the walls was complete, the trumpets blew a long and sustained blast and then the people shouted with loud shouts and, we are told, the walls around Jericho fell to the ground. Perhaps the sound vibrations from the shofars and the shouting people were more than their structures could tolerate. Perhaps the miraculous aspects of this story were enhanced with its telling as the years rolled by. This narrative, as a matter of fact, was not written until some 300 years after this event was supposed to have taken place. The important thing for our purpose is to note that this book says that Joshua and his army destroyed Jericho, putting everyone to the edge of the sword – all men, all women, all old people, all young people and all the animals in an act of genocidal fury. True to their word, however, they spared all those who gathered in the house of Rahab. Joshua gave specific orders, “Search out the harlot’s house and bring out of it the woman and all who belong to her as we promised.” The book of Joshua concludes with the story of Rahab by saying that Rahab the harlot was saved and all her household “and she dwelt in Israel until this day.” Matthew from some source declared that she married a man named Salmon. Was he one of the two spies? Once again, we will never know, but Matthew asserts that Salmon and Rahab had a baby boy whose name was Boaz and that the line from Salmon went through Boaz to Obed to Jesse to David, who became the King of the Hebrew nation, and that this line would lead directly to Jesus of Nazareth, who was of the house of David.. So this is the second woman included in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. The first was guilty of an incestuous relationship with her father-in-law, the second was a prostitute. Matthew is introducing the story of Jesus’ birth. He is establishing the Jewish roots of Jesus as well as his royal roots. He is also stating in a loud and provocative way that the line that produced Jesus of Nazareth traveled through incest and harlotry. Why would he introduce the virgin birth this way? What is his agenda? What is his purpose? The story moves on and so does Matthew’s genealogy. When this column resumes, we will introduce the third of the “shady ladies” in Matthew’s genealogy. She is a seductress. So stay tuned. ~John Shelby Spong Read the essay online here. Question & Answer Bill Echols via the Internet, writes: Question: In talking to a friend, I stated my opinion that “in future years, I believe Bishop Spong will be looked upon as one of the greatest theologians of our time.” I was wondering, do you consider yourself a theologian? Why or why not? Also, who are some of the past and current theologians you would recommend for study? Thank you for living your faith so beautifully and courageously. You have certainly been an inspiration in my life. Answer: Dear Bill, I think it is fair to say that only my mother would agree with your assessment of my place in history, so for now I am happy to have two votes. Thank you for your confidence. I consider myself a theologically and biblically-trained communicator. I study daily. I read the great theologians and the great biblical scholars constantly so that I can communicate their thoughts to other people. I certainly do not list myself among them. The mountain top theologians of the Christian tradition would surely include Paul, Origen, Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and John Calvin. I would also add to that list some more modern thinkers like Soren Kierkegaard, Friederick Schleiermacher, Paul Tillich, Hans Kung and Edward Schillebeeckx . Sometimes the best way to study these giants is to read those who can communicate their insights in a language that people can understand. That is where I come in and I am certainly not unusual or special. People like Marcus Borg, John Crossan, Martin Marty, James Cone, Karen Armstrong, Elaine Pagels and James Carroll are just a few of the communicating giants in our day. Than you for your letter and for your comments. ~John Shelby Spong Announcements Happy New Year to all you believers in exile! May it be a year full of light and love. Any questions or concerns, please contact us at support(a)johnshelbyspong.com or 503-236-3545. Copyright © 2013 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have a membership at our website. Our mailing address is: ProgressiveChristianity.org 3530 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Unit 1 Portland, OR 97214 Add us to your address book .

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LIGHT
by Nancy Lanphear 02 Jan '13

02 Jan '13

Dear Ones, Once again, this year has been a year of endings and a year of beginnings. As I am challenged to maintain an open heart and mind about the present and future of our planet and human life, I find the conversations within our meditation group to be helpful. How do I/we celebrate life and it's gifts available to us AND share the grief of peoples/creatures of our world who live in fear, terror and starvation? Several years ago I discovered a poem by Thich Nhat Hahn that spoke to me then and continues to speak as his words return to my thoughts. It speaks to the dilemma that I feel daily... holding images of the whole of existence. My own poetry writing is at a plateau at this moment and so I choose to share words from a mentor and friend. Please see the attached poem, PLEASE CALL ME BY MY TRUE NAMES. It has been two years since Fred's passing from his earthly life to journey-on in whatever form beautiful energy can be found. Our family and friends continue to share memories of Fred - often laughing, making jokes and shedding tears as we tell stories, singing one of his favorite songs, looking at his photos .... my 7 year old neighbor Alex asked me the other day if he could see some photos of Grandpa Fred who is a vibrant presence in our lives; in the lives of young and old. Our community, my beloved community of Songaia is so present in my life. We are in the midst of creating a larger neighborhood that includes 2 other communities whose properties are adjacent to ours, in fact they include some of the original Songaia members who have moved and opened the doors for new members on the original property. The garden was incredibly beautiful this past summer with the creative guidance of Patricia Newkirk as garden manager along with our own community Biogaians, many volunteers and our first 3 garden interns. Our new web site in process can be seen ... www.songaia.com Fred's and my whole family gathered this afternoon with the exception of our oldest grand daughter, Ilaria ( Bob and Nina's daughter) who is in Scotland with her significant other, Nico. They will be back in Seattle in January for a few months. I always look forward to our holiday time together, each family; Bob, Ann, Noah (19), Noah's girlfriend Carla and Mason (17) who live in Seattle; Bruce, Nancy, Rachel, Ella and Martha from Vancouver, BC; Sandra, Paul, Alex and Matthew Krause from Redmond, WA. We shared a jointly prepared meal on Christmas evening, all attended the movie of Les Miserables on the day after Christmas - this was a highlight of our time together. Wanting another opportunity to be together before scattering once again, we shared a meal on Friday and concluded the evening choosing our animal totems for the year. Mine was the hummingbird - A GIFT OF JOY. Choosing the animal cards have been a practice of our family over the years - it allows our gratitude to go beyond the human realm into the circle of the whole EARTH COMMUNITY. Reconnecting with old friends has been part of my spiritual practice this year. It has mostly been done through emails and letters, some phone calls and visits. Sharing experiences with those of my age along with those my children's ages has added to my sense of gratitude for the part they have played in my life. Reaching out to families of those with ALS and /or other illnesses and limitations is also a part of my spiritual practice. I hope this message finds you in a place of wellness and healing. May the new year be one of care for the planet and each other within the earth community. With love, Nancy

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