November 2023 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

David Morton's Passing
by Mari Crocker 28 Nov '23

28 Nov '23

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

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Re: [Oe List ...] Elaine Telford Memorial
by rjhutchinson48＠gmail.com 27 Nov '23

27 Nov '23

HI Isobel and all, Here is the email trail on Elaine's memorial with Amanda and Karen. With love Robyn From: rjhutchinson48(a)gmail.com <rjhutchinson48(a)gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 4:40 PM To: 'Karen Snyder' <karen.snyder10(a)gmail.com>; 'Amandatelford' <amandatelford(a)tpg.com.au> Subject: RE: Elaine Telford Memorial Hi Karen and Amanda, Such a lovely celebration of Elaine's life Amanda. Amanda, please let Karen know how you would to take this forward. Love robyn From: Karen Snyder <karen.snyder10(a)gmail.com <mailto:karen.snyder10@gmail.com> > Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 2:31 AM To: Robyn Hutchinson <rjhutchinson48(a)gmail.com <mailto:rjhutchinson48@gmail.com> > Subject: Elaine Telford Memorial Robyn, Do you know how I can get a better photo and information about Elaine Telford - as well as the recorded memorial service. Here is how the memorial page looks now with Elaine and John: https://icaglobalarchives.org/john-telford/. A couple of us missed the service so are eager to hear/see the recording. Peace and love, Karen

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Email address of Karen Snyder Please confirm
by Isobel and Jim Bishop 27 Nov '23

27 Nov '23

Hello Beret, I hope this note will find you well and safe. Can you please confirm if this address is still correct for Karen? Karen.snyder10(a)gmail.com One of Elaine and John Telford’s daughters has asked me for the correct person with whom they can discuss whether to lodge some documents which may be appropriate for the Chicago Archives. I was in touch w Karen on my own behalf a few years ago, and she said then that she loves material coming to her and her Archive Team…. ! I wold be grateful if you could confirm Karen’s address. Thank you Beret, for all that you give to the ongoing life and service of the Spirit Movement, as Those Who care offer for humanity, planet Earth and all creatures. With love from down here in Australia. Isobel Isobel and Jim Bishop isobeljimbish(a)optusnet.com.au

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Thank you!
by Mari Crocker 26 Nov '23

26 Nov '23

Dear Lynda, Thank you so very much for your generous Thanksgiving message — both the poetry written by John 25 years ago, and your “in memorium” list of all the Saints in our Movement and Order who have gone on before us. I think of you often, knowing you are experiencing the “grief before the final grieving” as you accompany your beloved husband in his illness. It’s not an easy charge, especially at the holidays. This is my first Christmas season without Joe being here since 1966 when he asked me to marry him on Christmas Eve. Ah, the journey. I have spent this Thanksgiving week caring for a neighbor’s doggie and kitty — lots of walks and a rigid feeding schedule that Tawney, the dog, keeps me onto like clockwork. There is nothing like the sphinx-like pose and eye-to-eye stare that says, “Time to feed me!!” Also this weekend I opened up and began to read the boxes of letters I had written to my parents during our many years in the OE — saved by my mother over the decades. There were, of course, lots of family chit-chat, but also a treasure trove of my reflections on events and points of engagement that I had totally forgotten. I will be talking with Karen Troxel later this week to explore how to make "missionally germane" sections of my letters available for the archives. Also I am struck by the rich descriptions I shared of the plethora of activities and opportunities Jon and Ben enjoyed as “E.G.” I know other families had different experiences, but my story, written at the time of their formative years, is one of deep appreciation. And yes, things like “in-kind green beans and grits” were not shared, but what I did tell was authentic and true, from my perspective. I always appreciate your “centeredness” and caring in all your communications to us. You are a very special colleague. With love to you and your family, Mari

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Thanksgiving gift: poetry from our house to yours
by Lynda C 25 Nov '23

25 Nov '23

In this season of Thanksgiving and All Saints, John and I give thanks for the lives of our many colleagues who have moved into the Great Beyond this past year: Patricia Vice (formerly Coker) from the WDC House; Elaine Johnson-Denver House; Marilee Blanchard-Area Chicago; Joe Crocker-Area NY; Bud Ames-Area Chicago; Nelson Stover-India, Greensboro; Betty Dyson, Bill Grow and Jonathon Troxel -Chicago and most recently: Sue Laxdal-Area Chicago; David Rebstock-Greensboro; Bob Hawley-Chicago; Ginny Reece -LCX-Wichita, KS; Elaine Telford and Ann Duffy-Australia, and Frank Knutson-Archives teammate. The attached poetry is John’s most famous poem which first appeared in his book Motivation for the Great Work. Justin Morrill, who was working with fund raising at a Catholic School, asked if he could use the poetry for a Thanksgiving card for their donors. That card spurred the news article from the Archbishop which was quite a tribute to a younger poet/theologian, John Cock (25 years ago). We invite you to print out the card and use for others you may want to share such greetings with. It has been used as a get-well card, a funeral card, and a sympathy card with the Thanksgiving being “thankful for the life of….” The poem was later adapted in Our Universal Spirit Journey (jpc/llc) to read “Spirit does not promise”… and ending with “…but believe it or not, Spirit does promise ways to end poverty, stop wars, and save the Earth.” Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with special meaning and memories with your families and friends. Grace and peace, Lynda and John Cock P O Box 2333 Davidson, NC 28936 Lynda860(a)outlook.com<mailto:Lynda860@outlook.com> www.reJourney.blogspot.com<http://www.reJourney.blogspot.com> 336-404-0770

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Memories of Ann DUffy
by Isobel and Jim Bishop 23 Nov '23

23 Nov '23

> Dear everyone, > > I would like to add a few lines about dearest Ann Duffy. > > The Duffy, Oakley and Robins families were all part of the Ecumenical ministry team in Broken Hill. The Duffys were Presbyterian > ( like Jim and I )The Robins and Oakleys were Methodist. ( Later in 1977, we all become members of the new Uniting Church in Australia. A long and complex story how our Church was formed…) > > Broken Hill is way out west in the State of New South Wales. It is 715 miles, or 1151km from Sydney ! In those days it was primarily a mining town. > > Don Clark and I taught the first RS1 there, as far as I remember…. It went well, others can add/correct, please. > > Ann and Rob and their family were part of the first Sydney Religious House in Australia. This Religious House was actually the Paddington Manse, the Church house in which Jim and family lived . > > Ann was a primary School Teacher, and yes, was an early ‘ Permeator’. Ann was also a person who always carefully weighed up the consequences and did not act without due consideration as to the effects of the decision she was making. I personally appreciated the way she challenged issues analytically. I remember most of all Ann’s laugh, given as a sincere deep laugh, almost a low chuckle. > > The early days were quite hard as we adjusted to missional family living. While the Duffys were living in this House, we invited some children from Mowanjum, a former Presbyterian Aboriginal Mission, to come and live with us. These children and our own bunches all attended the local Primary School where Ann taught some of them. This required us to expand our living space, so we ended up with our children and some adults living in two Church houses on the same block of land. Steve Rhea may remember some of this, or Jeanette Stanfield. ! > > Later, Ann and Rob were Area Priors of Area Edmonton before they moved to Chicago Centrum when Rob was assigned to the Panchayat. From there, they were assigned to Hong Kong where Ann and Rob worked across South East Asia before returning to the Sydney House. Eventually they returned to congregational ministry when Rob was appointed minister at Canowindra Uniting Church in western New South Wales. > > Grace and peace be yours, > > Isobel > > Isobel and Jim Bishop > isobeljimbish(a)optusnet.com.au <mailto:isobeljimbish@optusnet.com.au> > > Isobel and Jim Bishop isobeljimbish(a)optusnet.com.au

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Chapman Funeral
by rjhutchinson48＠gmail.com 22 Nov '23

22 Nov '23

Dear Colleagues, I am re-sending this as some folk apparently did not receive the earlier email below, and we have more information. Colleagues will remember the wonderful contribution given to ICAA by the Chapman’s over many years. The Chapmans who mostly lived in reginal Australia, and held that dynamic, were part of the backbone of ICAA, for many years. Nan was a great support to Mike who spent time as ICAA president, as well as a special time working with our colleagues in Timor Leste. We are grateful for the completed lives of Mike, Nan and Justin, and the gifts they brought to making the world a better place. Robyn with ICA Australasia CHAPMAN, Justin and Nancy. Our family is sad to announce the passing of Justin aged 59 on 16 October, 2023. Nancy passed away aged 87 after a short illness on 10 November, 2023 surrounded by family. Both will be deeply missed, always loved and never forgotten. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during this difficult time. A Memorial Service will be held for Justin on 24 November at 10am. This Memorial event will be directly followed by another service at 11am for Justin’s mother, Nancy. The Services will take place in the Magnolia Chapel at the Macquarie Park Cemetery, Plassey Road, North Ryde. A reception with light refreshments will commence at 12.30pm in the adjacent Wallumatta Function Centre where we can continue to share memories of both Justin and Nancy celebrating the love they brought into our lives. Live streaming will be available for those who cannot attend the Memorial event in person. Please visit https://bit.ly/47DVAFs <https://streaming.naoca.com.au/e/d8b699a6-8a7d-41d4-9f7d-229cac65ce46> and enter PIN 7040 or contact Simplicity Funerals Balgowlah for details. <https://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/495106/justin-and-nancy-chapman/SMHC…> Dear colleagues, Ben has asked that we let you know that Nan Chapman passed away on 10th November after a short illness. Justin has also tragically passed away recently. Please feel free to share the link below to her & her son Justin’s memorial notice. There will also be a memorial service for Nancy at Club Mudgee at 10am on Wednesday, 29th November, the day before her 88th birthday. Warm regards, Thanks for your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Ben https://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/495106/justin-and-nancy-chapman/?utm… <https://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/495106/justin-and-nancy-chapman/?utm…> &utm_medium=publicboard&utm_campaign=publication-share

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Notice of Ann Duffy's death and funeral service Friday 24 Nov
by RichardandMariaMaguire 20 Nov '23

20 Nov '23

Dear Colleagues, Family, friends and all of us in ICA Australia would like to let you know of the death of Ann Stuart Duffy (nee Dunlop) on 9th November 2023, shortly after her 90th birthday, in Sanctuary Point (South Coast NSW). Born on 26 October 1933 in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla by the ocean, Ann was an active member of her local church and as she grew, looked for new ways to put her beliefs into action. As Ann ventured into challenges posed by a post-war world, she was joined by Rob who shared her conviction. In 1956 they were married and together, despite their conventional appearance, continued to look for meaningful ways to act as people of faith in their local congregations. A dynamic team in work and in life, Ann and Rob listened to the Spirit and dared to heed God’s call upon their lives. They sought to be a living demonstration of non-judgemental love and, in 1970, joined the ICA with a mission to meaningfully share life’s abundant possibility with people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and circumstances, particularly the poor and marginalised, in Australia and overseas. Ann embraced the opportunities the ICA offered and undertook many roles across the globe; from community engagement in Vogar Canada at Lake Manitoba to Nam Wai in Hongkong to leading planning workshops (LENS) across Asia to development circuits along the east coast of America to “permeation” assignment in Sydney. Ann’s commitment to a life of faith also saw her face many deep challenges; these included the inner conflict between being an active part in the ICA’s global mission for human development and her need to nurture her four children while living in intentional community. Rob’s death in 2016, after almost 60 years of marriage, was also a time of deep struggle and her own deteriorating health followed. Despite this, Ann's faith shone through and she was cared for by her children Paul, Linda and David, daughter-in-law Brenda as well as by her four grandsons. They all looked after her at home until the very end. With many people here and around the world, we give thanks for Ann’s amazing completed life of awakening and service on behalf of all and for our common future. Her memorial service will take place at the St George’s Basin Uniting Church, 7 Meriton Street on Friday 24th November 2023 at 11:00am followed by a committal at the Shoalhaven Crematorium in Worrigee, on Worrigee Road at 1:00pm. The committal will be live-streamed *here <https://murphyfamilyfunerals.com.au/tribute/details/1572/Ann-Duffy-nee-Dunl…>.* For more information, including a photo of Ann and lifetream access see the website of Murphy Family Funerals: https://murphyfamilyfunerals.com.au/tribute/details/1572/Ann-Duffy-nee-Dunl… <https://murphyfamilyfunerals.com.au>, where you will also find the live-stream. Donations can be made for Bush Heritage Australia. With admiration and gratitude, David Duffy and Maria Maguire

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Frank Knutson’s Passing Last Night
by Linda Hamilton 20 Nov '23

20 Nov '23

Not sure i had the correct email address so apologize if i am sending twice. Kyle Knutson, Frank Knutson’s son in Dallas area, where Frank has been living with his family, called this morning to say Frank journeyed on just after midnight last night. Sent from my iPad

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Fwd: Fw: [People vs. Fossil Fuels] Human Connection and Social Change
by Sunny Walker 19 Nov '23

19 Nov '23

>From a climate colleague in Denver. Reading it, I forgot the source and thought it was on of you, so many poets. Sunny Walker, Certified Professional Facilitator | Emeritus Certified ToP Facilitator ToP Mentor Trainer 303-587-3017 sunny(a)virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jesse/Fran Aguirre <jaguirrejja(a)aol.com> Date: Sat, Nov 18, 2023, 6:54 PM Subject: Fw: [People vs. Fossil Fuels] Human Connection and Social Change Thinking of all of you as I read and pass on this poem, etc. Fran Aguirre ----- Forwarded Message ----- *Subject:* [People vs. Fossil Fuels] Human Connection and Social Change https://tedglick.com/2023/11/18/human-connection-and-social-change/ Future Hope column, November 18, 2023 Human Connection and Social Change By Ted Glick Standing on a corner, alone, in the early morning half-dark, half-light, You, waiting for the commuter bus to take you to the Big Apple, Me, on one of my 3/4 times a week long distance bike rides, approaching you, 30-20-10 feet away, And our eyes meet, followed a second or two later by a smile, an involuntary acknowledgement, you to me and vice-versa, that though we don’t know each other and may never see each other again, Today, this morning, for literally one second, we felt the warmth, the quiet joy, the reassurance of human connection. I wrote this poem in 2016. I was reminded of it by something which happened yesterday morning. I’ve been sick for a week and a half, needing to stay home and concentrate on trying to get well. I felt pressure to do so not just because I didn’t feel good and couldn’t do much work but because of a public event that happened two days ago, Thursday. At this event I was the only performer, singing/leading six songs, reading poetry, and reading excerpts from my two books published in 2020 and 2021. Fortunately, I recovered enough to make the event, and based on the input I got from those in attendance I did a pretty good job of it. But I was disappointed that more people weren’t there. I was also feeling anxiety about Israel’s genocidal destruction of Gaza and the state of the world generally. So when I went out early the next morning to look for the newspaper which is delivered to our house, I was not in good spirits at all. The paper wasn’t there, but as I took in the morning sunset across the street for a minute, up pulls a car and someone gets out of it. It was the newspaper deliveryman. He walked over, put out his hand and gave me the paper, and we spoke very briefly, me asking about his family, he telling me to give his best wishes to my wife, with whom he has talked in the past. As he went back to his car and I turned to walk back into my house, I felt very noticeably different. Instead of being down and anxious, I felt good, felt like something very small but very important had just happened. Something very similar to this happened <https://tedglick.com/2022/06/21/a-very-special-human-being/> a few years ago with a crossing guard who we knew bringing our paper to me as I pulled into the driveway on my bike after one of my early morning rides. What is it about human connection, friendly interaction with others, that can have such an immediate positive impact? Clearly, it’s something about the way that we are constructed with all our feelings and anxieties and hopes and fears. That “something” can be found in almost every human being, based on my experience and readings. All of us, whatever our other deficiencies, need friendly human contact. How does this relate to the continuing, urgently-needed, historic process of positive social change? Think about it this way: anyone who has done organizing knows that a situation where you are able to talk with someone else with some friendliness or even just basic mutual respect is going to be much more conducive to positive discussion than a situation of open disrespect or hostility. It’s not that a conflictual interaction can’t in some cases ultimately lead to positive personal and idea-change, but it’s harder, and definitely less productive numerically as far as results. To me, this is common sense, but for too many revolutionaries in the past and still some today, it’s not. Some, I’m sure, would see these views as too “liberal,” not tough enough to fight the power. I don’t think so. And here’s some back-up, via one of Che Guevera’s most famous sayings: “At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.” Yes, yes, yes. *Ted Glick has been a progressive activist, organizer and writer since 1968. He is the author of the recently published books, Burglar for Peace and 21**st** Century Revolution. More info can be found at * *https://tedglick.com* <https://tedglick.com/>*. * <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free.www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#m_4922571423820191429_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> -- We're organizing to end the era of fossil fuel production, protect communities from the climate emergency, and repair the harm caused by fossil fuels. President Biden must declare a climate emergency and stop the federal approval of all new fossil fuel projects. Visit peoplevsfossilfuels.org for more. ---

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