July 2025 - OE - lists.wedgeblade.net

Fwd: Email to be shared out today with all our communities about RSVP'ing
by Richard Alton 21 Jul '25

21 Jul '25

Dear friends and loved ones, Linda’s Celebration of Life is just a few days away—this Thursday July 26th at 10am CDT—and we truly hope you’ll be able to join us in honoring her incredible spirit. If you plan to attend (either in person or via YouTube Live), this is a gentle reminder to please RSVP using the link below. This will be our final message to the full invite list; all day-of details will be shared only with those who’ve RSVP’d. Here’s the RSVP link, <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebration-of-linda-altons-life-tickets-141…> in case you haven’t had a chance yet: https://CelebrationofLife-LindaAlton.eventbrite.com We can’t wait to gather with all of you to celebrate her beautiful life. With love, Planning Committee -- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton(a)gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?

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Fw: [Matthew Fox, Daily Meditations] 7/21/2025: Joanna Macy: A Note of Gratitude
by Ellie Stock 21 Jul '25

21 Jul '25

More on Joanna Macy from Matthew Fox.Ellieelliestock(a)aol.com ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox <team(a)dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org>Sent: Monday, July 21, 2025 at 03:30:35 AM EDTSubject: [Daily Meditations] 7/21/2025: Joanna Macy: A Note of Gratitude | | | | The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox | | | | | | | | | | Watch for Matthew Fox'svideo meditation — now appearing every Monday! | | | | | | Joanna Macy: A Note of Gratitude By Matthew Fox 7/21/2025 | | | | | | | | Agreat soul passed away 3:35 PM Saturday afternoon. It was my privilege to call Joanna Macy a friend and co-worker. | | I owe her much. She first introduced me to Thich Nhat Hanh by inviting me to attend a talk he gave to a large gathering in Berkeley. Years later, she assisted in bringing him, along with 40 of his nuns and monks, to speak at our University of Creation Spirituality. She helped introduce me to the gifts ofBuddhism and we often taught together (sometimes on the Buddha Nature and the Cosmic Christ), or led retreats together whether at UCS in Oakland or in Munich, Germany or in Findhorn, Scotland. There | | | Joanna Macy (1929-2025) in 2006. Photo by Dreamfish. Wikimedia Commons. | | we conducted aretreat during Easter Week that included a very poignant Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. We and the participants created the Stations on the sand dunes with wind howling around us. She also joined our faculty in a week-long creation spirituality conference in Australia. One of her talks is published in the book, Creation Spirituality & The Dreamtime.* | | | | Book Cover of Creation Spirituality & The Dreamtime. | I came up with the termdeep ecumenism from what she taught me about deep ecology. We shared the deepest of values regarding peace and justice, saving the earth, animal rights, women’s rights—in short, creation spirituality. I wrote about her the morning she died (in the DM we will publish Tuesday) about an intervention of hers at a conference on the Future of Mother Earth that was sponsored by the Sierra Club. I remember the first time I visited her in her home | | near the rose garden in Berkeley. There were notes on her porch addressed to the wasps who had made themselves at home there. She was begging them to go away and how she did not want to destroy their nests. She was incarnating her Buddhist lessons to respect all beings. I do not recall if her pleas were answered or not. I met Daniel Ellsberg at a dinner at Joanna’s home. She, like Wisdom, was a friend of prophets. Joanna was a spiritual giant. The real thing. Her 90th birthday party was an event etched on my memory forever. So full of life and promise, so many caring people in attendance, and not at all directed to thepast. Her ritual, The Council of All Beings, that she and John Seed created in memory of the species going extinct was real, deeply moving and participatory. | | Her family invited me to her bedside a week ago to give her a blessing along with folk singer Jennifer Berezan, a graduate of our ICCS master’s program, who was among her favorite artists. Jennifer sang her song, “Praises.” We extended our blessings when she was asleep and she woke up at the precise moment that I ended my prayer and her first words were, “Thank you.” | | | | | | | | | “Praises” by Jennifer Berezan. Video by jenniferberezan. | | Her family urged us to give our blessings again after she was conscious. During Jennifer’s song, Joanna danced with her arms almost directing the music. With a big smile on her face, she repeated that it was her favorite song. She called me to herself for a big hug. In my blessing I asked thatthe Buddha and Dalai Lamas of the past and Jesus and Hildegard, Francis of Assisi and Meister Eckhart, greet her in their light. When I mentioned Hildegard, she almost jumped up and shouted—in response, I was moved to add, “Hildegard, a lion.” Both Joanna and Hildegard were lionesses for the truth and for Mother Earth. Bothwere warriors and prophets with lion hearts. | | | | Book cover of Thinking Like a Mountain. From Joanna Macy’s website. | Joanna combined a fierce commitment to systems theory and science, plus Buddhist practices and teachings and gifted writings and ideas thattouched thousands of people of all spiritual traditions. Who cannot be awakened by a book titled Thinking Like A Mountain? She urged all to resist despair and I often cite her teaching that “when your heart breaks, the whole | | universe can pour through.” She urged us to put our energy into gratitude, face hurt head on, and remain creative and fight the good fight. Thank you, Joanna. Thank you for your praises for the world and your hard work on behalf of Mother Earth. For the genuine support you lent your friends,family and co-workers from a deep and passionate heart that was both Buddha-like and Christ-like. | | | | | | * See Catherine Hammond, ed., Creation Spirituality & The Dreamtime: Matthew Fox, Joanna Macy, Veronica Brady, Kevin Treston, Elizabeth Cain, Eddie Kneebone (Newtown NSW2024: Millennium Books), 1991. See Matthew Fox,Confessions: The Making of a Post-denominational Priest, pp. 2f., 157, 160, 352. And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth. And Rev. Matthew Fox and Lama Tsomo, The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity. And Fox, One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faith Traditions. And Fox, Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality. Banner Image: The dunes on the beach at Findhorn, Scotland. Photo by valenta. Wikimedia Commons. | | | | | | A Heartfelt Request for a DM Team Member Dear Friends, As many times as we have invited your action, today we ask in a very personal way. A key member of the DM team, Drake Moore — a young husband and father, gifted web wizard, musician, and generous soul — is | | | | | battling an aggressive Stage 4 cancer, which has wiped out his family’s income and buried them in medical expenses. We ask your prayers, and if you are willing, we invite you to contribute to the GoFundMe Drake's friends have set up to help him and his family make it through this difficult time. Anything you can contribute will be enormously appreciated - thank you! --The DM Team | | | | | | Queries for Contemplation How has Joanna Macy affected your life andspiritual journey directly or indirectly? | | | | | | | | | To view today's video, please click the image. You will be taken to today's post on the DailyMeditations with Matthew Foxwebsite, where you can see the meditation in a larger version and also view and post your Comments. In the sharing that follows, a kind of community is developing around the DM. If you can't reach today's post on the website directly, click HERE. If you can't reach Matthew's video on the website, try hisVimeo channel HERE. | | | | | | Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialogue, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. | | | | | | Recommended Reading | | Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition) Matthew Fox’s stirring autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment. “The unfolding story of this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.” —Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self | | | | | Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in SouthAmerican Liberation Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator. “A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spiritualityand Practice. “I am reading Liberating Gifts for the People of the Earth by Matt Fox. He is one that fills my heart and mind for new life in spite of so much that is violent in our world.” ~ Sister Dorothy Stang. | | | | | The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity How can we move away from “us vs. them” thinking as our surroundings feel more divided andpolarized than ever? Co-authors Matthew Fox and Lama Tsomo discuss how Tibetan Buddhism and Mystical Christianity answer this question from unique points of view, with many commonalities and practical tools to break down the barriers between us. “The Lotus and the Rose is an extraordinary example of what can happen when spiritual leaders from different traditions open up and speak from the heart.” — PaulChaffee, The Interfaith Observer. | | | | | One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths Matthew Fox calls on all the world traditions for their wisdom and their inspiration in a work that is far morethan a list of theological position papers but a new way to pray—to meditate in a global spiritual context on the wisdom all our traditions share. Fox chooses 18 themes that are foundational to any spirituality and demonstrates how all the world spiritual traditions offer wisdom about each.“Reading One River, Many Wells is like entering the rich silence of a masterfully directed retreat. As you read this text, you reflect, you pray, you embrace Divinity. Truly no words can fullyexpress my respect and awe for this magnificent contribution to contemporary spirituality.” –Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit | | | | | Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality Matthew Fox lays out a whole new direction for Christianity—a direction that is in fact very ancient and very grounded inJewish thinking (the fact that Jesus was a Jew is often neglected by Christian theology): the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, the Vias Positiva, Negativa, Creativa and Transformativa in an extended and deeply developed way. “Original Blessing makes available to the Christian world and to the human community a radical cure for all dark and derogatory views of the natural world wherever these mayhave originated.” –Thomas Berry, author, The Dream of the Earth; The Great Work; co-author, The Universe Story | | | | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE | | | | | | | | | | Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world. In this 6-month immersion program with Matthew, you’ll explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0 — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness. By Application only - apply HERE Register for a free information session HERE | | | | | | | | | | | | | Matthew Fox offers an online lecture and Q&A to the Association of Pittsburg Priests on “Pere Chenu: Father ofLiberation Theology, Creation Spirituality, and Much of Vatican II”. Wednesday, August 6, 4:00pm – 5:30pm PT. Register HERE. | | | | Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Hildegard of Bingen’s Book of Divine Works with Letters and Songs, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, August 21, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. | | | | MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT. Join Zoom Meeting HERE, Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org | | | | | | Creation Spirituality Conversations | | | GMU President Dr. Gerald Grudzen, along with Father Augustine Pamplany, Dean of the GMU Religion and Science graduate degree program, hosts the Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox for a presentation on "Creation Spirituality and Science," July 11,2025. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | View this post, video, and more on our website | | | | | | Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox is made possible through the generosity of donors. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Thank you! | | | | | | Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Did you receive this email from afriend? You can subscribe to our daily meditations via the opt-in box on the sidebar at DailyMeditationsWithMatthewFox.org | | | | PO BOX 424533 San Francisco CA 94142 US Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

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(More) news of Joanna's passing ... with a message from her colleague, Anne
by Ellie Stock 21 Jul '25

21 Jul '25

Dear Friends,Below is an email from Maureen Wild, Sisters of Earth, who forwards news of Joanna Macy's death and memorial service from Joanna's dear friend and colleague, Anne Symens-Bucher, also including a link to the song "When I Go." Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Maureen Wild <mawild(a)telus.net>To: Maureen Wild <mawild(a)telus.net>Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 02:25:53 PM EDTSubject: news of Joanna's passing ... with a message from her colleague, Anne Dear Sisters of Earth, This is just to let you know that Joanna Macy died at her home yesterday, Jul 19th, transitioning with gentle peace with her last breath, surrounded by the love of her family and dear friend and colleague of many years, Anne. Thank you for remembering her these many days of hospice care, united with so many in our global family holding vigil for her. Her assistant, Anne Symens-Bucher (who spoke livestream to SoE at our 2018 Conference in Cinci when Joanna wasn't able) writes this today. Also, so you're all aware, the family is planning for a public memorial for Saturday, Oct 4th, to be held at a venue TBA in the Berkeley or Oakland area. Maureen ------------- from Anne: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Dear Ones, Joanna's wish was to have a home wake. This is how we used to do it of course. And Joanna was all about reclaiming rituals and practices that helped us reconnect to understanding ourselves as part of the living body of Earth. In death, we return to this body from which we came. Joanna wanted us to see the beauty in death. She wanted to show us how to embrace death, as Francis of Assisi did, as a Sister. She wasn't afraid to die and she showed us that there is nothing to fear. In her dying process, and now in her death, she continues to be our teacher. Joanna wanted a home wake so that people could have the opportunity to sit with her body in the sacred container of the home she loved. Joanna believed in the brilliance of self-organizing systems, and so do I, and I know you do as well! So here we go with an event we have been waiting to plan, without knowing when it would be or how many people would want to attend! The ritual will be mostly in silence. There will be people to act as guides and you will know what to do. When you arrive, there will be an instruction part! Joanna's home (2812 Cherry Street in Berkeley) will be open on Sunday from 2pm to 8pm and again on Monday from 1pm to 8pm. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Parking is limited. We think it might be helpful to have an idea of how many people will be coming to the wake. Please let us know roughly when you are coming by filling out this form. (here is the form URL incase the link doesn't work: https://forms.gle/GDq27hnZtAKhWVmw9 ) Below is from my heart to yours. I am writing this just after Joanna died. It is very quiet and peaceful here now. After Joanna took her last breath, I listened to Dave Carter’s When I Go. He sings: "I will fly like the falcon when I go." For a time I mostly sat in Joanna’s living room, staying as balanced as I could in what still feels like a state of suspension. I am watching myself as if from some other place. I wonder, am I in shock? Do I realize what has just happened? I want to stay in this moment for a while longer. I hear through the open windows the sound of people on the street. They don’t know what has just happened, and neither do you as I sit here thinking of how very soon, you will know too. We have been on a journey together these last six weeks. We knew how it would end. We had no idea it would be so epic, so majestic. Joanna was recently referred to in an email from Anna in Germany as the “great lady of deep ecology.” The Great Lady of Deep Ecology has left us.

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Honoring Joanna Macy
by Elsa Bengel 21 Jul '25

21 Jul '25

Here in Boston we created a Creation Spirituality course based on the work of Joanna Macy, Brian Swimme, Thomas Berry and others. Joanna’s Council of All Beings process plunged open compassion for all beings. Although I did this 30 years ago I remember representing maple trees. First sharing all that maple trees give us humans and then what the maple trees were asking of us humans. She helped us face the grief and the glory. Elsa Sent from Gmail Mobile

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Fwd: In Memoriam: Joanna Macy
by James Wiegel 20 Jul '25

20 Jul '25

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Our conversation reminds me of
by James Wiegel 19 Jul '25

19 Jul '25

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EG Photographic History
by Michael May 17 Jul '25

17 Jul '25

David Marshall and Iron Boy has reignited, once again, the “Family Order,” “Emerging Generation,” “Phase One” conversation among those of us still standing. Prior to her death in 2019, Ann St. John became the guardian of a box of old photos representing a diverse collection of Emerging Generation history. I am guessing this archive was the collection of Stan Crow. Ann had the photos digitized and our daughter, Maryellen, laboriously placed each of the 800-plus photos on Dropbox which you are welcome to visit and review at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9ty5tp67w018qb13j4aj4/AE7S_Ly9Z62MczCqXc3nIq… Most of these photos are poor quality and have limited artistic value. But some will evoke stories from your own memory or present the parameters of a story emerging from the content of the image. Feel free to explore. Grace and Peace, Michael

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Re: [Oe List ...] all this is affecting my dream life. RS-1 came up (W. J.)
by James Wiegel 16 Jul '25

16 Jul '25

Richard, are you going to share the colorful language you recall or leave us hanging? Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver > On Jul 16, 2025, at 12:05 AM, Richard and Maria Maguire via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > > I haven't seen the text of RS-1 in a nutshell, is it available to be seen? > > As far as colorful language about the language about this reality is concerned, we didn't have any truck drivers or Frank Hilliard in the spring 1976 academy but we had plenty of colorful language about the name. Robert Shropshire gave a very memorable and humorous rendition of what we said in a one of his talks the next day. > > Warmly > > Richard > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > OE mailing list > OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Re: [Oe List ...] all this is affecting my dream life. RS-1 came up (W. J.)
by Richard and Maria Maguire 16 Jul '25

16 Jul '25

I haven't seen the text of RS-1 in a nutshell, is it available to be seen? As far as colorful language about the language about this reality is concerned, we didn't have any truck drivers or Frank Hilliard in the spring 1976 academy but we had plenty of colorful language about the name. Robert Shropshire gave a very memorable and humorous rendition of what we said in a one of his talks the next day. Warmly Richard --

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Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Can you recall?
by James Wiegel 14 Jul '25

14 Jul '25

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