May 2025 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

Ellen Rebstock's Passing
by Mari Crocker 30 May '25

30 May '25

Dear Mark, Tim, Peter and the extended Rebstock family, I am deeply saddened by the passing of a strong and unique woman colleague on the “Long March of Love”. Joe and I cherished our friendship with both your parents over the years, both those in the Order, and after its dissolution in 1988 when many of us still chose to wear the ring and live out of the discipline. Your Mom and Dad visited us about 10 years ago when we lived on our farm in West Newfield, Maine. Your parents were on a New England trek that your Mom had designed, visiting historic places they had on their “bucket list.” From Maine they planned to head south to make sure your Mom could visit Plymouth Plantation and see that famed “Plymouth Rock”. The morning they planned to leave our home for that leg of the trip, your Mom, wheelchair dependent at the time, seriously compromised with a chronic vestibular system complication, but one that was being managed with meds, collapsed just before breakfast. We called 911, the rural volunteer EMT came to the rescue and whisked her to the hospital 35 minutes away. Your Dad, Joe and I followed in two cars. By the time we were allowed to see her, she was sitting up on her bed like a queen, assuring us "all would be well." We learned from the attending doctor that Ellen, as a former physical therapist and trained healthcare provider, was rigorous in recording every single health event of her adult life (and probably those of all members of the family) in such detail (event/symptoms/diagnosis/treatment/ medical followup) that the hospital team knew immediately what to do. And Ellen carried that diary with her at all times when she travelled, knowing it might mean life or death. Ellen was discharged later that day, and after another overnight with us, we waved your parents off to Plymouth Plantation. Your mom was one of the most intentional disciplined and committed women I’ve ever known, and this vignette holds that for me. I believe these were qualities of character she gave to to every missional, professional and personal encounter. I know if Joe were here with me tonight, I know he would join me in affirming that Ellen Rebstock’s presence on planet earth was indeed, a gift, a life of service, well lived. With love, Marilyn

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Memories of Elen (&David)
by Milan Hamilton 30 May '25

30 May '25

Sent from my iPhone October 2005, one of the special times with Ellen and David in Palm Desert, Southern California. Gathering of a few of Us for a few years Order alums retreat. Only six of us left from that group now. Thanks for Ellen memories now.

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FW: Obituary for Ellen Rebstock
by ballardica＠gmail.com 30 May '25

30 May '25

How sad we were to hear this news about Ellen. Last night we just happened to be looking at the “Between the Arrows” video that Karen had sent from the Archives. There was Ellen in her navy blue suit and elegant white hat looking so young. She was one of the actors telling our stories in that 2000 Millenium Connection finale. Ellen was creative, elegant, insightful, enthusiastic, committed, and all with a beautiful smile. When she and David came East to be close to Johns Hopkins Hospital and Peter’s dear Charlie and Anna, she still carried herself with poise and dignity and her sharp intellect. Our Baltimore Washington House Church group appreciated Ellen and David bringing Climate Justice to us in an urgent way. Somehow she was stronger than the disease that had overtaken her body. We are grateful for her dedication to the Order. Her gifts were an important part of the fabric of our life together. We send our love to Mark, Tim, Peter, and all the family. May you know grace and peace, Jack and Louise Ballard From: Mark Rebstock <mrebstock(a)gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 5:18 PM To: Mark Rebstock <mrebstock(a)gmail.com> Subject: Fwd: Obituary for Ellen Rebstock Dear friends and family - I am writing to let you know, with great sadness and thankfulness for her life, that our mother has crossed over to the other side. She lived a long and full life and blessed us with her love of life and of her family and community. Here is a link to an obituary that was posted today <https://epilogg.com/obituary/ellen-vinette-long-rebstock-minnetonka-mn-usa-…> - We are not planning to have a service immediately. Rather, we are thinking that we will have a Celebration of Life service, possibly on Zoom, sometime later in the Summer. We will keep you all posted about those plans. Love, Mark Rebstock

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ATTENTION: Link to film re "Laudato Si'" and Pope Francis' Legacy: "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
by Ellie Stock 21 May '25

21 May '25

Dear Friends of Earth and All That Is In It! Below is a link to a new film, "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth," about "Laudato Si" and the legacy of Pope Francis (1 hr, 19 min). If you haven't had a chance to read it, the text of Pope Francis' Encyclical is online free. .The Letter: A Message For Our Earth Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com

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The Singing of Those Who Care Three
by Milan Hamilton 21 May '25

21 May '25

This is the third of the triad of Earth Day 2025 songs. any of you will recognize the inspiration for it from the songbook. Thanks to some of you for the feedback and suggestions for improvements. MM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoOV_ZHlJtc Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2(a)gmail.com

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The Singing of Those Who Care Revisited
by Milan Hamilton 20 May '25

20 May '25

Those Who Care Revisited Milan Vocal-VEED.mp4 <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DcdGpeSZ47b0amsHEMHCoku5Z0zNXQXI/view?usp=…> A tiny handful of us have been zooming weekly, instigated by Bill Parker's vision and work for decades in Oklahoma for a new approach (much needed) to "politicking" and grassroots policy and decision making. A Path Forward is the brand we are zooming under. I has been a concern of Linda's and mine that one of the missing elements in attempts to "Move" forward (in a movemental sense) is the Singing. We have the "old" movement songbook which is a treasure to many of us (like buried treasure since the days when they accompanied us every step of the way). But as we have scattered ourselves like the seeds we sang about, the Singing seems to be largely missing. I have been doing some thinking and reviewing and writing to try to figure out what are the songs (hopefully singable) needed for The Path Forward. I've written three on the occasion of this year's Earth Day. Many of you will recognize pieces I have drawn from The Songbook. Disclaimer: with the help of AI apps like Suno, Controlla, and VEEP and a couple others, I wrote the lyrics and had help with the compositions and giving a way to "cover" the song with my voice. For you "creatives" give it a try. This one I am giving you the link to above is *Those Who Care Revisited! *I am attaching the lyrics in a Word doc. Let me know if you think it is singable.I will send the other two separately. Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2(a)gmail.com

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The Singing of Those Who Care Revisited
by James Wiegel 18 May '25

18 May '25

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Singing of Those Who Care 2
by Milan Hamilton 18 May '25

18 May '25

Here is the second of three songs I wrote on the occasion of Earth Day 2025. Again with a little help from my (AI) friends. Some of us may sing only in the shower now but who knows. We may find our voice and if so, sing out loud. https://youtu.be/vMSHG91ES8U Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2(a)gmail.com

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Join us with your Path Forward actions, practically, spiritually and emotionally. Inbox
by Don Bushman 18 May '25

18 May '25

Greetings Y'all: As Bill, Sunny, and I met to consider our focus for this Sunday’s *Path Forward Conversation*, we found ourselves returning to H. Richard Niebuhr’s *The Church as Social Pioneer*. Bill reminded us that many of the networks we engage with are responding to some form of *innocent suffering*—a powerful throughline in our shared work. >From that conversation, a compelling idea emerged: Transformation often begins in response to innocent suffering. In my (admittedly not-so-humble) view, the church—at its best—is about the transformation of human beings who live on behalf of all people in our global village. Of course, transformation arises from many sources. I love beautiful sunsets—but in all my years, not one has launched me into a transformative journey. Beauty moves me, yes. But suffering calls me. Then Friday, I found myself—surprisingly—copying and pasting a David Brooks column. His piece *“What’s Happening Is Not Normal”* closes with these words: A civic uprising has to have a short-term vision and a long-term vision. *Short term:* Stop Trump. Foil his efforts. Pile on the lawsuits. Turn some of his followers against him. *Long term:* A fairer society... We can’t go back to the status quo that prevailed when Trump first rode down the escalator. I’m really not a movement guy... But this is what America needs right now. Trump is shackling the greatest institutions in American life. We have nothing to lose but our chains. Like Brooks, I don’t naturally gravitate toward movements. But I keep showing up for these *Path Forward* conversations because of the courage, clarity, and companionship they offer. They remind me I’m not alone. They embolden me. *We’d love to hear from you:* What actions are you taking in these not-normal times? How are you doing—spiritually, emotionally, practically? We’ll gather again this Sunday via Zoom. No prior participation is necessary. All are welcome. *📅 Sunday, May 11* 🕐 1:30 PM Pacific 🕑 2:30 PM Mountain 🕒 3:30 PM Central 🕓 4:30 PM Eastern 🔗 Join the Zoom Meeting <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU0uTqjwU_DVhd6dCwstFFjqI18fcK-XbDR…> 📄 Download Bill’s Narrative & Supporting Documents <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsks1yujwYxa8GdnUgAbGLLFSkrx__KuO3Gy…> Warmly, *For the Path Forward Triad,* Bill Parker, Sunny Walker, Don Bushman ------------------------------ *P.S.* In Bill’s conversations with 70+ network leaders, these questions kept surfacing: - Where do I even begin to ease the suffering I see around me? - Who else is working on this—and how can we support, not duplicate? - What breakthroughs are happening in other towns, clinics, schools, or congregations? - Where do my skills best match the needs? - Where is energy already building—and how can we support it? - Where are the deepest gaps in care, dignity, or inclusion? - How do I find my team—those committed to what I’m committed to? - Why is it still so hard to talk across differences? - What’s keeping our good work from adding up to more? - Is anyone weaving the pieces together? We invite you to bring the questions *you* are hearing—and share what’s stirring in your corner of the world. Don Bushman 828-292-9696

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Path Forward Conversation link Sunday 11 May
by Don Bushman 09 May '25

09 May '25

Greetings Colleagues After last Sunday's meeting, Karen wanted to know: "But what can I do now?" Our response has arises from Bill's reflection about the Oklahoma Human Community Network's effort to convene a statewide congress. *A successful congress in Oklahoma would be an extraordinary accomplishment. BUT what is needed to impact our nation, would be statewide congresses in all purple states, and probably the other red states as well.* To provide an opportunity to consider Bill's challenge, I invite you to join us this coming Sunday. Maybe you have a different answer to Karen's question. 📄 Download the Bill's narrative and supporting document links. <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU01zozgU_DVwSwrEh-Cggx1C4kmIxxOv7Z…> We will gather Sunday 11 May, at: 1:30 p Pac 2:30 p Mtn 3:30 p Cen 4:30 p Est 📄 Zoom link for Path Forward Conversation Sunday <https://email.reply.donbushman.com/c/eJxsU81yozgQfhpxSwoESHDQwQ7B9kxI1hNP7M…> Rob asked that the following be shared: *Ken Gillgren just made me aware of this upcoming series on strengthening networks: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/networksfestival2025?srch=&date=&sort=s… <https://www.tickettailor.com/events/networksfestival2025?srch=&date=&sort=s…> I think that Bill and our group would be interested in it. Can you please share it with the group?* And *Would you please share this important article with our group: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fa… <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fa…>* For the Path Forward Triad, (Bill Parker, Sunny Walker, Don Bushman) Don Bushman 828-292-9696

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