July 2014 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

Jaime for ST Tuesday, July 15 FINAL
by via OE 13 Jul '14

13 Jul '14

Kristo Rai @ FIFA A word is set loose in human history that excuses no onefrom walking the life gifted one to live. ChristoRoi reigns supreme. That many refuseto live the one, unique, unrepeatable life they already have, ignoring thatthere was never one like them before, and no one like them will ever come again,leaves a lot of whining lives wasted in sidelines of history. My daughter has a sign in her kitchen: “$5 charge for whining”. Being a Christo is a chosen role, rather thana whine of a victim ran over by circumstances (Roman rule) or mean-spirited (Scribesand Pharisees) external forces. Mymantra: “the situation is never a person’s contradiction; one’s relationship toit, in fact, defines one’s personal circumstance!” We may not be able to manage, let alonecontrol, our situation, but we sure have the option on how to relate to it. The Christ-the-King notion has been turned into a widespreadcult on the butt-full Jesus idolatry terrain rather than the supremacy of theChrist-word and Christ-role as a practical option of our lives. The danger is in reducing the Christ into acognitive exercise, a unit of belief and “faith” sans grounding in existential flesh and blood. Grounding a historical image propagated bytheological reflection, be it from Augustine or Aquinas, Luther or Kierkegaard,cannot replace the bloody flesh on the historical barbwires of reality on one'stime. Jesus the Christ is the exemplar par excellence in mytradition, but to be his disciple in practice means that the Jesus Christ of 2,000years ago takes on my likeness and my name is tagged on wrestling of the terrorof death and the triumphal marquee of the emptied tomb! The Jesus of history fades and my historicalreality emerges. I do not long for a journey to Palestine of old, nor wish adevotional visit to Salman’s Head ofChrist. In the last three weeks, secularme stared daily on the aerial view of statue of the Christ the Redeemer aboveRio in Brazil, a figure I once saw in 1980 on a trek to South America. Today, participants to the World Cup of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) discover that a team excels more when itspassionate kick-and-run supersedes its mature but calculating professionalcredential. Germany lumped host Brazilwhile Argentina shoved Netherlands aside in a free kick shoot-out after ascoreless time play. Cristo Rei in Rio begs the question. What is the Kristo Rai in our lives? Put another way, what is the summum bonum, the highest good in yourlife? The answer is a choice, not an automaticinheritance from heritage or academic expertise. New Canadian friend Alex thinks that all Canada wants fromits young is to be good at hockey. Mygrandchildren this summer play soccer and baseball; two of them are ambidextrousso they can hit and kick right and left, an ability of advantage when playingthe games. At their tender age, they dreamof being professional players all their lives. Family relations reign supreme to many so we treasure thepromise of clan, shield the family name from tarnish, and develop a competitiveedge to ensure high social standing. Beingon top of standardized tests, in academia or at the workplace, is a premium forour children on our guard. We judge aperson by commercial values; earning capacity is nurtured and guarded. Business schools tout the virtues of “Looking after#1”. Where leadership indicates a position in a pecking order, beingan authority or an elected official is cherished. Sports and athletics hone the senses, commandthe muscular and skeletal eptitude that gets instincts to the height of animalsurvival all the way to inescapable hormonal charm. Add intuition and we move into the graciousaffirmation of sensitive and strategic maneuvering. Virtues labeled as "love and compassion"are often used to describe attainment in this field. We obsess for adulation, to be liked and bepopular. Managing language and precision in numbers adds the gift ofintellect into the personality stew. Weconverse with the wisdom of tradition and annotate the literary leavings of thelearned, then dialogue with the voices that command assent among theeducated. Today, it is the adoration ofthe meta-brain that allows for tenure and security in intellectual circles. Expertise loquaciously clothed qualifies,certainty confidently expressed secures. The gifts of instinct, the refinement of intuition, and thesophistication of intellect is nothing if it does not translate into theefficacy of practical intentions. Livingeffectively demands a comprehensive mind, a strategic heart, a capable body anda resolute will. Viewing one’s unique,unrepeatable self from those four portals lead to the highest good of the Cristo Rai role. The FIFA of Brazil shows boldly its Cristo Rei image displayed on the hill! Soccer players from 32 countries left their markson the field. Argentina's Lionel Messi couldnot mess up das teamarbeit enough that Mario Gotze'sgoal on the 113 minute of play finally got Germany their Cup. For us, like everyone else, to be human is to decide roles7/24. Decide. Alleluia! j'aime la vie pinoypanda2031(a)aol.com yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today. participate. In all, celebrate!

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Final draft for Charles' Memorial Service
by George Holcombe via OE 13 Jul '14

13 Jul '14

The emails have kept coming in and I must now get ready for the service this afternoon. This is the final one. I hope it’s OK for everyone. My gmail account has been acting strange, sending emails to other boxes even putting some in spam, even after initiating all over again. I’m sending this in both MSWord and PDF, since some reported difficulties with the MSWord doc. We’ll try and send pics and other comments from the service this afternoon. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe(a)gmail.com "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley

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Thanks for the Crosses
by George Holcombe via OE 12 Jul '14

12 Jul '14

I wound up using Paul Noah’s pdf, but thanks to everyone for helping. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe(a)gmail.com "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley

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Witnesses to Charles Moore's Life 2nd version
by George Holcombe via OE 11 Jul '14

11 Jul '14

Here’s an updated copy with a little format change. Folks keep sending more witnesses, so I’m sure this will not be the last one. Trying to get set to do final print Sat. morn. If you see anything, your witness missing, mistakes, etc. Let me know. One person could not open the MSWord doc. If you have problems, I can also post it in Pages and Pdf. Thanks. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe(a)gmail.com "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley

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Re: [Oe List ...] Witnesses to Charles Moore's Life 2nd version
by Nancy Trask via OE 11 Jul '14

11 Jul '14

Woke up in the night thinking about those of you who will stand together at the funeral for Charles. And remembering when JWM was very ill, I heard he said he would wait for us all at the pearly gates, so we could all march in together. A touching image to think of all our colleagues hanging out there together awaiting the rest of us. Appreciating those of you who will attend the funeral and stand together in memory of Charles. On the journey, Nancy Trask Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: George Holcombe via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> </div><div>Date:07/10/2014 9:24 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: ICA/OE List Serves <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net>,Order Ecumenical Community <OE(a)wedgeblade.net> </div><div>Subject: [Oe List ...] Witnesses to Charles Moore's Life 2nd version </div><div> </div>Here’s an updated copy with a little format change. Folks keep sending more witnesses, so I’m sure this will not be the last one. Trying to get set to do final print Sat. morn. If you see anything, your witness missing, mistakes, etc. Let me know. One person could not open the MSWord doc. If you have problems, I can also post it in Pages and Pdf. Thanks. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe(a)gmail.com "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley

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Re: [Oe List ...] Congolese Cross
by George Holcombe via OE 11 Jul '14

11 Jul '14

Does anyone have a PDF of the Congolese Cross that I could use on the cover page of all your witnesses to Charles Moore? George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe(a)gmail.com "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley

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Fwd: JUL 06
by David Zahrt via OE 10 Jul '14

10 Jul '14

Dear Climate March Colleagues, SUN Jul 06 I got up late—4:20am. The group had decided at yesterday evening’s meeting that Sunday morning would be a morning of silence. After things were put away some of the Marchers went to the RR station to protest the hauling of petroleum products in tankers. When they returned Izzy said he was riding a bike today. So we set off together. I rode John J’s bicycle again. The seat on an upright bike is quite a bit different. Izzy and I rode 11 miles and stopped at Indianola, NE expecting that it had WiFi and John A, driving the kitchen truck, would bring our computers. He went right on by. I went on to Bartley, NE, another 5 mi. The food truck was at the community park, but the cab was locked. Eventually John J arrived in the Gear truck. He discovered that John A was in the Community Center across the street from the park. I got the key, got the computer, and went to the Community Center to do some journaling. It was nice being in the Community Center because it was air-conditioned. The temperature outside was about 90º. We had permission to sleep in the Community Center so I brought my sleeping gear in. I opened up the big tent that got wet last night from the sprinkler and spread it out to dry. I also adjusted the seat on my bike. I raised the back so it was straighter up and down. I also put a cushion on the bottom seat. Hopefully that will force me to sit upright and keep my tailbone off from the bottom of the seat. There was no camp conversation before, during, or after dinner. Izzy arranged for the Gypsy Band to play at the American Legion Hall just down the street. I took my bass and amp down to play with them. We were the only ones there: no Marchers; no residents from the town. It gave us a good time to practice. The band affirmed the contribution the bass is making to the band. I need to have paper copies of everything we play with the chords marked so I can practice. We finished about 9 PM. Peace, David

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Re: [Oe List ...] Charles Moore Memorial
by Timothy Wegner via OE 10 Jul '14

10 Jul '14

I have placed a web page on Charles Moore here: http://wiki.wedgeblade.net/bin/view/Main/CharlesMoore Most of the material is drawn from remembrances compiled by George Holcomb primarily from these mailing lists. If you have additional material, I suggest you send it to George (grholcombe(a)gmail.com) I will update the page accordingly with what George compiles. Susan and and I plan to drive to Austin for the memorial service. Tim Wegner PS - The remembrances pages at wiki.wedgeblade.net are somewhat random in who is included. Mostly it's a matter of someone compiling the information. Anyone willing to compile such information about someone is welcome to do so and post the information, or send it to me.

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Salmon: Event Rational
by William Salmon via OE 10 Jul '14

10 Jul '14

An activity of Pastor William Salmon Making Death My Friend On New Year's Eve 2013, I got a tattoo on my left butt! Since I've donated my body to Kansas University, the image is that of the Kansas State "Power Kat." Two words surround this image: "Last Laugh!" This will make it possible when they take my body to KU and roll me over, I can have the "last laugh!" This April begins my 80th year, and I'm planning my Memorial Service for July at a local hall in Salina, KS. We'll have a cash bar, jazz band, poetry reading and, "nice things to say about me. After I'm dead, they can say anything they want to about me." On Sunday afternoon, we'll have another party for the tea-totalers along the same line but the choir will sing, etc. Perhaps, I can convince Pastor Barry to dedicate the Sunday Service to interpreting the Funeral Service. The thinking in back of this was first planted in my mind while in the Order. We read a book by Carlos Castaneda ("The Teachings of Don Juan") where he wrote that, "Death never lies to us. When we ask Death, 'Am I dead yet?' and Death says, 'No!' then we are not dead." On the other hand, when we ask, "Am I dead yet?' and Death says, 'Yes,' you can absolutely believe we are dead." (Loosely quoted) With this mind, I made the decision to make death my friend. Which, by-the-way, is good theology as Jesus taught us on the cross to die early to living independently from God** in order to live the surrendered life. Consequently, it makes sense of the resurrection; I'm already a dead man walking. Actual death is just another stage that My Friend will see me through, whenever that will be. The second source of this thinking is a book by Mitch Albom, "Tuesday's With Morrie." Interestingly, this was the longest running Number 1 book on the NY Book list. Morrie is the professor of Albom who makes the commitment to visit his professor every Tuesday since Morrie is slowly dieing, and he decides to hold his own Memorial Service so that he can enjoy it. Today, this is an idea that many are making. Since I am being cremated by KU and after they are through with me-laughing all the way, of course--I'll be sent back to Salina for whatever appropriate rites are helpful to Beverly, family and friends. Please do not morn for me, as you were there when, "I danced in the morning. . . . I danced on the Sabbath. . . . I dance with the Devil on the back. . . . They cut me down and I lept up high. . . . Dance then. . . . Dance then. . . .* (In gratitude to "Zorba, The Greek"!) *UMC Hymnal # 261 PS: The two tattoo artists laughed all the way though the 2-hour procedure. The other artist suggested that the KU med student skin out my tattoo, tan it and hang it on the wall. So much for tattoo parlor humor. Bill **Salmonology defines God experientially as At-One-Ment or/and as The Guarantor.

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Salmon: Event Invitation- page 1
by William Salmon via OE 10 Jul '14

10 Jul '14

SAVE THESE DATES Colleagues: In the event you have not sent a reflection or plan to attend, please send a note. Better still tell a brief story that involved you and me and/or others. Such mail will be read during one or both of these events. Thanks. SAVE THESE DATES! -"My memorial for me!"- July 26, 2014 The City Saturday 129 No. 7th Across the street from Cozy Inn 4 to 6 p.m. Jazz Combo: Light refreshments Open Mic + + + + + + + July 27, 2014 Trinity UMC Sunday 901 Neal ½ mile South of Magnolia on Ohio 2 to 4 p.m. Church Music: Choir/solos & Gospel (swing) Singing Open Mic ---Come celebrate the meaning of my life as it comes to us in the meaning of death and resurrection-

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