December 2025 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

Re: [Oe List ...] How do we respond to the Bondi massacre without engaging in cover up or accusations?
by Isobel and Jim 20 Dec '25

20 Dec '25

1 0

How do we respond to the Bondi massacre without engaging in cover up or accusations?
by Richard and Maria Maguire 19 Dec '25

19 Dec '25

I imagine that you as well as the rest of the world have heard about the horrible killings in Bondi. This even brings out once again how terrible it must be for people who have to be afraid of being attacked at any time by violent people just because of who they are, here especially First Nations, people from the Mideast, Jews and Africans. Even though the number of people who would do such things is relatively small, the threat is always there. We hope this might move the politicians to do a lot more about guns, the laws here were very good, but had many loopholes and have been whittled back over the years through political horse trading. We have been struggling with how to talk about Bondi without being seen as defending the indefensible, yet bringing in the larger context. It seems to us that there needs to be a lot more conversation about why antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks have ballooned in the past few years, since Israel's murderous genocidal attacks on Palestinians. See for instance https://theconversation.com/bondi-attack-came-after-huge-increase-in-online… and https://www.visionofhumanity.org/gaza-conflict-leads-to-rise-in-antisemitis… <https://www.visionofhumanity.org/gaza-conflict-leads-to-rise-in-antisemitis…>This dimension of current reality has not been reported much in the media and governments have avoided doing much to deal with the causes. We are also concerned that if the government puts into law the Antisemitism statement proposed by their "envoy" it could make things worse on all sides https://www.humanrights.unsw.edu.au/research/commentary/antisemitism-plan-a…. We were grateful to find these two statement in our emails yesterday from two Australian organisations, "The Movement" https://themovement4point0.au/news/condemn-Bondi-beach-massacre and from The Australian Jewish Council https://www.jewishcouncil.com.au/ which do a great job of holding the tension. We notice how Gaza news has been wiped off the news feeds this week, even though twice as many innocent Palestinians have been killed *per day over the last two years* as were the 15 innocent people killed in Bondi. We, and I believe ICAA, are not interested in making public statements, but it would be great if we could converse about how to respond to immediate disasters like this and bring out the underlying contradictions behind them. One "positive" arising from the Gaza war and behavior of governments is that the interest in Human Rights has grown considerably among the populations. I went to a lecture on international Human Rights and government responsibility featuring Chris Sidoti from the UN Commission on Human Rights, an international Law professor from U of Sydney and Elizabeth Evatt in a large hall that was filled with several hundred people. They commented that if this event had happened five years ago, the hall would have had few non specialists attending. I grew up in a household with a father who was stridently racist and antisemitic. I didn't like the things he was saying, neither did my mother or my siblings, but we didn't have the means to engage him productively so just stayed quiet. I have yet to really understand what leads people to pick up these and similar beliefs and actions other than what dawned on me when I read "You are Accepted" in 1962 long before I met the ICA. That essay changed my life and my life direction. When I learned how the EI was using this piece, as well as its influence on our methods and mission, I was really grateful and still am. Warmly Richard On 19/12/2025 1:02 pm, Karen Newkirk wrote: > Hi Richard, > Merry Christmas to you and Maria! > > I have sent the letters to the ToP Network USA and the ICAI Board, > however, as stated in the letter, we should wait until the ICAI Board > and/or ourselves have received the hotel invoice before we process our > payment. > > Thank you > Karen > > Karen Clover Newkirk > 52 Nelson Rd Queenscliff VIC 3225 > Grateful to the Wathaurung / WadawurungTraditional Owners. > karennewkirk(a)gmail.com > 0419 577 489 > >> On 19 Dec 2025, at 9:42 am, balmkevin(a)gmail.com wrote: >> >> Karen, >> I’m good to go with the two letters. >> Regards >> Kevin >> *From:*Karen Newkirk <karennewkirk(a)gmail.com> >> *Sent:*Friday, 19 December 2025 8:37 AM >> *To:*Kevin Balm <balmkevin(a)gmail.com> >> *Cc:*David Jago <david(a)smartmeetings.com.au>; Richard&Maria Maguire >> <richardandmaria(a)unfoldingfutures.net>; Ms. Michelle Rush >> <michelle(a)facilitate.co.nz>; Robyn Hutchinson <rjhutchinson48(a)gmail.com> >> *Subject:*Re: DRAFT Response to ToP Network USA re-$ for conference >> Hi Kevin (in particular), David, Richard and Michelle, >> I have a response from Robyn: >> “Im OK with these - in haste. thanks Robyn”. >> Michelle has spoken. David and Richard were happy with the original. >> Kevin, you have been closest to the issue and had significant >> feedback on the original draft. Could you please let me know your >> opinion on these two letters? >> Thank you >> Karen >> Sent from my iPhone --

3 3

Jim Baumbach's Memorial Service on December 19.
by Alice Baumbach 16 Dec '25

16 Dec '25

The service will probably go live at 10:50am. Jim's service link: https://youtube.com/live/C6owpn8GU98?feature=share

1 0

Re: [Oe List ...] A Strange Affirmation of Imaginal Education (Randy Williams)
by Richard and Maria Maguire 14 Dec '25

14 Dec '25

Hi Thanks, Randy, for pointing us to this article. I read "The Image" before I met up with the ICA. I was quite excited to read it, since he gave a clue about how people form and maintain their beliefs and how these lead to certain actions. I learned how Culture and symbols play a huge role of (at least) all people and their societies, whether they are a member of the KKK, the Nazi Party, MAGA, neocons or the Civil Rights or Peace Movements. What matters is the interests that these cultures and symbols represent. To me the illustration of the current distortions of the Social Process toward the economic is the undelying social source of so many past and current cultures. I find it most disturbing the way so many important cultureal institutions, like the media and the education system are being bought up or even more heavily influenced by people of wealth or their allies. as Adam Smith said in "The Wealth of Nations"in 1776. "When ever these people get together, the public is worse off. The talk is always about how to raise prices and lower wages" "All the goods belong to all the people" is a message that neocons and their related movements would probably never use, nor would they affirm the messages and cultures implied by that or the many Human Rights Instruments affirmed by many countries (although often not by the US). From what I learned, especially in CSI was that culture is like technology, it all depends on what the intention is, and how much it is or is not an affirmation of connectedness and love or separation and fear. Best wishes Richard --

2 1

Re: [Oe List ...] Jon Elizondo's thoughts about all kinds of Order stu ff. Part One
by jonzondo＠juno.com 13 Dec '25

13 Dec '25

Hello to all who read this thread, these threads.Back to our "recent" chats coming from Marsha's thoughts, and now with these new posts... well, suffice to share that I'm all stirred up in many different ways. First of all, I offer myself to any adult OR "child" who wishes to chat on the phone or email or Zoom or in person about any of this. and yes, the OKC (Order Kids Club) is open to have any 2nd generation person join us. We all have unique perspectives. And we support each other a lot, and as best we can. Sometimes we have small or large reunions. If I had more time, I would write all sorts of things out and put them in some kind of order that made sense to me (it might end up being a book) ... but I think I'll just respond with numbered bullet points because there is just So Much Stuff to cover. and reply to. And this may take some time. Second of all, as a matter of authorship perspective, I have spent most of my professional life as an early childhood professional, teacher and advocate. 36th year this year. So I bring that mental framework of child development and human development to this conversation. 1. The whole CULT thing.My definition of Cult has changed and grown over time. Essentially and importantly, any group one belongs to that tells you how to live your life and applies pressure to make you do things a certain way. Therefore, almost all religions, no matter how well meaning, are cults or have cult-like aspects. But how did I get to this place where this is what I think and believe?I was in the order from summer 1968 (5 1/2 years old) until 1980 when I graduated high school. I kept in touch during the next 7 years in various ways, but did not live in the ICA/Order, and for most of those years I internally thought that I would end up being a leader in the ICA. Then summer 1988 I jointed the RLC (Residential Learning Center), the kinder offshoot of the Student House, in Seattle as a volunteer for one year. During that time I realized I wasn't going to be a leader in the ICA. After I left the RLC I was on my own spiritual quest and joined a group of questers. In that group, one of the leaders was a counselor. At one retreat weekend, I said during informal conversation I said that I grew up in a communal Christian group. The counselor said, what group? I said, the Institute of Cultural Affairs. He replied, Oh, that cult. I counseled someone else who grew up in that group. That comment started my journey down the reflective rabbit hole of what is a cult. After some time and reflection I started changing what I told some folks. I would say something like... 1a - At its best we were a healthy tribe/community / at its worst we were a Cult.Each of us has our story. Where we were and when mattered. Who we were with mattered. Our personality and how it interplays with life mattered. Our allies or lack thereof mattered. I might share that we were malnourished... or tell about the mother who wasn't allowed to get on an airplane to go see her deathly ill daughter in the hospital because the mother was a prior and the mission needed her to stay where she was. When adults were taught that the mission was more important than caring for the children, all of that was cult behavior. Period. When adults who worked at Camp New Jerusalem were silenced from reporting on what happened there at the end of the summer session in Chicago, that was abusive cult behavior. 2. In case you didn't figure this out yet, the "crap" that happened in the Order/ICA affected everyone involved, not just the kids. That means you too!abuse - happened to many. Adults and kids. systemic stuff too. neglect - happened to all of us. separation of kids from caring parents - how in the flying crapmobile did parents ever agree to this??? I know some of the answers from my own parents.lack of accountability for mess ups and abusers - yup this happened to all of us. 3. Good intentions and collateral damage.I think it is fine to speak about good intentions... and especially about the intentions that were discussed and created by ICA/Order leaders and members. Did you create what you wanted to create? Did you learn from what happened? use ORID and have a great discussion. very important.ANDTalking about Good Intentions should never be used as an excuse to avoid responding and listening to the consequences of adult/ICA/Order behavior.Many of you signed the apology letter or have the desire in your heart to make amends... so stop making excuses. Just stop. Listen to what is being said by each individual and practice reflective listening. What is being asked for? Listen for that. I think I'll pause for now and send this off. Let's keep talking. Both here and every where else where the discussion is needed.Walk in Beauty,Jon Mark Elizondo425 205 3856jonzondo(a)juno.com

3 2

A Strange Affirmation of Imaginal Education
by Randy Williams 13 Dec '25

13 Dec '25

Colleagues, In an article in the January 2026 issue of The Atlantic magazine entitled “The Neocons Were Right,” the conservative journalist David Brookshe says: “…culture drives history. The assumptions people rely on, the mental categories in their heads, the things they admire and disdain, the way they process the world, their norms and habits — all of this will determine how they behave.” No doubt, Kenneth Boulding, Willis Harmon, Peter Senge, David Korten and others would jump for joy to read this. The surprising thing is, at least to me, Brooks includes this as one of the four key beliefs of neoconservatives. Who knew? Randy

2 2

Fwd: The Plume Across the River
by James Wiegel 09 Dec '25

09 Dec '25

2 1

Do Good Intentions Make Up for Collateral Damage?
by David Marshall 08 Dec '25

08 Dec '25

Former Order: Ecumenical & Ecumencal Institute Colleagues, Early IRON BOY readers (paperback & ebook published on Amazon on 6/15/25) have asked me about this. In response, I just published my CULTS article on Substack. I imagine this will rub some folks on both sides of the aisle the wrong way, but it's my truth. It's too long (five pages) to publish here or on Facebook, so if you read it and have comments, you can either do so on Substack or on this more private thread. Thank you.[image: Instagram-Cults-Image_6-28-25.jpg] https://open.substack.com/pub/marshallbooks/p/can-cults-still-do-good-work?…

15 18

Jean Smith
by Richard Alton 03 Dec '25

03 Dec '25

Jean was a great trooper. She kept the boat afloat in Kenya and was the star of our Last Chapter program. Just a great attitude towards life. She will do well in her next posting! Dick -- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton(a)gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?

1 0

Fwd: Jean C Smith - End of Life
by Sunny Walker 03 Dec '25

03 Dec '25

See the message below. *Sunny Walker * *She/her/hers* *On **Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) tribal land* You may have already received this message but for those that I missed, Jean has passed. sent 12/1 ******************************************************************************************************************** Dear friends, I want to let you all know that my mom passed away Friday night 11-28 from acute myeloid leukemia. She was cognitively (fairly) well right up until the 26th. Her health declined extremely rapidly those last few days. The family is working on closing her affairs and I would appreciate it if you shared this message more widely with her community of friends and colleagues. (obit to follow). Peace, Val Wainwright I can be contacted at vjwainw(a)comcast.net 604 So Laredo Circle Aurora, CO 80017

1 0