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May 28, Thursday for ST FINAL
by via OE 26 May '15

26 May '15

The final edited version, for those who have time to read. Sailing over an affair “Come have an affair with me”, Anheuser Busch's Bud indulgently invites PIC dwellers. We pause for a self-indulgent column. We sail on a Micronesian affair. Not the irreverent Micronesian Love Affair band that sings the Hot Leaky Butthole song; we are not that self-indulgent! It is to the fresh free open air of Micronesia that is our affair. I bumped into the ST editor with his friend in the parking lot. Introduced, she was kind enough to say that she reads our column. Ever a self-depreciating oriental, I replied: “that’s three of us; it used to be four but my Mom at 95 now sleeps her days in a hospital.” “You’re modest,” the new acquaintance retorts. She skips the obvious. I was not above fishing for a compliment. I quit writing February, one of the few occasions I'd keep the ink well dry, thinking that I might do something else, but fate gave my plans a different twist. Coming back to Saipan for what I thought was a brief errand turned out to be the “something else”. The moratorium on writing lasted two weeks. I asked that my space be saved and picked up where I left off. OK, we’re writing of the editor and I, but mostly on this peripatetic pedagogue who writes from many places with nary any feedback from local readers that precipitated the intent to quit. Meanwhile, JayVee faithfully edits the paper. A BoE member once told the Board: “JV writes so BoE members learn to use their dictionaries.” He was being funny. His son was on my 6th Grade class at SVES so I listened well to what he had to say. The self-indulgent flavor of this write-up comes from listening to feedbacks for two months, bumping into readers who quickly realize that the column photo is much younger than the unshaven real person in front of them. The first comment of note was: “You use too many uncommon words so we have to look them up in the dictionary,” a lady intoned, “or, we ignore it all together," she sheepishly added, "and skip to the next article.” “There’s not much in the papers these days but self-promotions, propaganda, laments, and complaints," another said, "so your ornate style comes refreshingly different even when we do not agree with what you say.” She was kind enough not to suggest that self-promotion lies behind the florid flair. Another father of a former student, the corporate office head of a local business concern, was effusive not only with the style of writing but also for the content. “Where do you come up with all the things you say?” he loudly wondered. I was seated for a haircut when the barber looked at my face and decided that I looked familiar until I jogged his memory with mention of the ST Opinion page and he beamed a smile of recognition. He likes the historical allusions, he said. On the first Saturday of the Taste of Marianas, the guy next to me who lives in my village turned out to be cousin of my old publisher, the late JP. Retired from the CNMI government, he reads the column and I discovered a friend. A day later, a fisherman in the lagoon came up to me and introduced himself as a reader. A real estate developer approached me at Galleria and inquired if I was the writer of this column. “That’s my brother,” I said, on the off chance he did not like my style. He was kind. “I’ve read everything you’ve written so I feel I know you well,” he added. I blushed. The coup d’ grace was an agent who asked for my driver’s license to document a complimentary local service. Fumbling for the license, she proceeded to process my papers, admonished me to bring my license the next time, and said: “I read your column so I know you are local!” We do get written feedbacks online from outside the CNMI. I had three from HK in the last three years, the latest being a comment on the Made in Saipan piece on “birth tourism” where I called it Hong Kong’s “maternity tourism” extended to Saipan. It is not the birth tourism per se that irks USCIS since it is perfectly legal as HK Playford Ramsey rightly noted in his Letter to the Editor, but the overstaying tourist who illegally waits out delivery of baby, intentionally overstays welcome with the connivance of host caregivers (presumed to have greased the skids of officialdom, not necessarily true but a common mainland China practice) that brews the stew. I learned that baby delivering tourist pay at least, 140,000 renminbi each at source, about $23K, with only $5K remitted to Saipan for mama’s care, to wait out the full term pregnancy, pay the medical cost of delivery and a 30-day post-partum recuperation, yuezi. Most of the collected funds remain in China! The Saipan expense is negligible of actual payment, and to inquire why the division of cost heavily favors source might be a legitimate question. Upscale L. A. asks for $80K per delivery! While hashing this piece of immigration comic hiccup, I heard of readers’ notion that JV and JayVee, the editor, are one, a mistake that is, at best, myrrh of parsley. So now, we formally announce that there are two guys on staff. JV is NOT Mr. Editor! That’s JayVee. We will keep that straight, won’t we? j'aime la vie yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today. participate. in all, celebrate!

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In passing . . .
by Frank Knutson via OE 25 May '15

25 May '15

I learned that John Howell died. Family: > Heather and Michael Mazza > 3705 Galena Hills Loop > Round Rock TX 78681 > 512-382-0910 hmazza(a)austin.rr.com <mailto:hmazza@austin.rr.com> “——Night is drawing neigh——“ For all that has been—Thanks! To all that shall be—Yes! ~Dag Hammarskjold — Markings ❤ Frank Please consider the environment before you print this email.

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Death of Vivan Paul
by Dharmalingam Vinasithamby via OE 24 May '15

24 May '15

Dear colleagues, Vivian Paul, who worked with us in Maliwada, the Delhi House and at Kemper, which were among his various assignments, died at 9.17 pm on Wednesday, the 20th of May. I just received the news from Marie Paul in San Antonio, Texas, where he has been living since moving out of Chicago years ago. He was being looked after by Marie and his children after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four months ago. He died during surgery. Dharma

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Vance Engleman's Advent Posters
by Jack Gilles via OE 24 May '15

24 May '15

Dear Colleagues, As many of you know, Vance Engleman produced a set of magnificent posters that he sent out as gifts each December. I have been in touch with Beth Engleman and we have identified that between she and I, we have almost a complete set. We want to give these to the Archives as they are classics pieces. Starting in 1977, he, then Beth and he, produced posters until 2002. We are missing just the last two, 2001, titled “O! Rajasthan” and 2002, “Take a Bite out of Poverty”. If anyone has either or both of these two would you please contact me, or Beth so that we can get the complete set to the Archives. Thank you! Grace and Peace, Jack and Beth

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May 29, Friday editorial
by via OE 23 May '15

23 May '15

To the JFK corwd. Jack He was the 35 th President of the United States, a former Massachusetts’ Senator who served the executive office from January ’61 until his assassination in Dallas, Texas in November ’63. On his watch, the United States went through the Bay of the Pigs debacle butchered by CIA operatives during Eisenhower’s term arming Cuban exiles to invade Fidel Castro’s domain. A Cuban Missile Crisis followed when Khrushchev posted warheads in Cuba in the same way as the US pointed armaments on the USSR from Turkey. The Navy blocked ships from the USSR. The Russian reformist PM, known for banging shoes, showed the same habit in a session of the United Nations! Warmly referred to as “Jack” in the “Camelot” era, JFK took Eisenhower’s legacy to the Berlin Wall erected by the Soviets to deter the exodus of East Berliners into the western sector, supported the African-American Civil Rights movement that finally saw legislation under President Johnson but cost MLK’s life, and escalated US armed involvement in Vietnam that wracked the nation’s soul. It is as if JFK crammed his short term to the hilt, credited for initiating Project Apollo at NASA, projecting an eventual landing of a man in the moon accomplished a good three years ahead of schedule. JFK’s legacy, however, is not programmatic (in spite of the US Peace Corps program, and furthering the women’s movement headed by Eleanor Roosevelt) but imaginal. He turned a nation’s energy into exploring new horizons. He began with the image of the New Frontier, dared America’s post WWII self-content public to a “set of challenges that sums up not what I intend to offer the people, but what I intend to ask of them.” A famous quote reverberates even today; it sums up JFK’s hold on the imagination: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” He then asked the nations of the world to wage together a fight against “common enemies of tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” When he was assassinated, the world joined a nation in mourning. Politically astute, the current WH occupant avoids identity with the Kennedys (elder Joe was UK ambassador, Robert was assassinated while in L. A. campaigning for the Presidency, and Senator Edward Kennedy endorsed Obama’s candidacy). Instead, he invokes the legacy of Lincoln and Reagan, both Republicans. John Jr., caught saluting his Dad’s casket at three years of age, died in a plane crash. However, Caroline, JFK and Jackie’s girl, serves as the current US Ambassador to Japan. JFK became President at 43, gunned down at 46. He would have been 98 years old today. His centennial birth anniversary in two years highlights a legacy of snooped after sexual proclivity and health struggles (he received the last RC rites more than once going into surgery), but a PR beaut of a job on “hope” that enabled the election of the first African-American occupant of the Oval Office, and will get the country its first female President. In the famous words of Marilyn Monroe, “Happy Birthday, Mister President.” j'aime la vie pinoypanda2031(a)aol.com yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today. participate. in all, celebrate!

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Death of Vivan Paul
by Marilyn Crocker via OE 23 May '15

23 May '15

Dear Colleagues and family members of Vivian, Joe and I remember Vivian with fondness and respect. If our collective memories are on target, he and his beautiful wife, Marie, were participants in the Jabalpur ITI - or maybe even the Singapore ITI. And later in Nava Gram Prayas days. We feel as if we knew them as Movement and Order Colleagues forever. They were such a handsome couple, handsome and beautiful, as were all their children. Later on we were neighbors of Vivian and the children on the 7th floor at Kemper, and our sons became good friends with Sherlyn and Shiran and I believe are still in touch occasionally. I like your image of "soldier," Jack, although images of warfare are now unpopular and probably need to be repositioned. But Vivian "soldiered on," no matter what difficulties befell his family. He fulfilled missional assignments at Kemper that were far different from his positions of significant leadership in India ( I believe in education administration), and yet he did so obediently and faithfully, but not without palpable pain and some sense of loss (at least to our eyes.) We are happy Vivian was able to be back with Marie and their children (now adults) over the past months, especially since his diagnosis. We mourn his loss to the universe, but celebrate the strength, courage and faithfulness his life represented on many continents. Grace and peace, Marilyn and Joe From: OE [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Jack Gilles via OE Sent: Friday, May 22, 2015 12:57 AM To: Patricia Tuecke Cc: Tracy Longacre via OE; Marie Paul Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Death of Vivan Paul I will miss Vivian very much. He was a soldier, through and through. He told stories of fighting the Chinese in the Himalayas. One of his disciplines was to take a cold bath every day at the Delhi House, no matter how cold it was. This came from that battle experience. He represented the best of our colleagues who came from the early days of the Movement in India. I presume he was a product of the work Raymond Spencer did in those early years. Journey on dear friend, journey on. Jack On May 21, 2015, at 11:47 PM, Patricia Tuecke via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Dharma, I didn't know Vivian as well as Marie. She was one of the 4 or 5 women assigned to each accompany me for one week of a six week Global Women's Forum in the villages in Maharashtra. Actually she worked with me in one of the city forums, not sure which one. For all of the women I think it was the first time they had travelled outside their village or home without their husband or a male relative. It was unusual to do so at the time. I remember Vivian was somewhat naturally concerned for Marie but we had a great week together and no unpleasantness happened. Please let Marie know we hold her in our thoughts and prayers as she celebrates Vivian's completed life and begins her life without him at her side. Pat Tuecke On Thursday, May 21, 2015, Dharmalingam via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Dear colleagues, Vivian Paul, who worked with us in Maliwada, the Delhi House and at Kemper, which were among his various assignments, died at 9.17 pm on Wednesday, the 20th of May. I just received the news from Marie Paul in San Antonio, Texas, where he has been living since moving out of Chicago years ago. He was being looked after by Marie and his children after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four months ago. He died during surgery. Dharma _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Completed Life of Frank Powell
by jonzondo＠juno.com via OE 23 May '15

23 May '15

Special prayers and thoughts go to the family, and especially to Ali (Frank's daughter) during this time. I intend to help her, if I can, as she travels from Seattle to Africa. May we all have the support we need during these transitional events. In Beauty,Jon ---------- Original Message ---------- From: "McCabe, Diann A via OE" <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> To: Terry Bergdall <bergdall2(a)gmail.com>, Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Completed Life of Frank Powell Date: Fri, 22 May 2015 18:56:34 +0000 Thanks for the word, Terry. Frank was a creative and powerful presence. Our work with him and Sandy (and many others) in Mississippi in the mid-late 70s was a whirlwind of doing (1000 miles/week in the car), shaping Terry McCabe and me in ways we still are examining. Here's to his completed life, with gratitude for his being. Grace and Peace, Diann McCabeSan Marcos, TX From: Terry Bergdall via Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Reply-To: Terry Bergdall <bergdall2(a)gmail.com> Date: Friday, May 22, 2015 8:03 AM To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Subject: [Dialogue] Completed Life of Frank Powell I have heard from Sandy Conant, Frank's former wife, that Frank died earlier this week in Nairobi. He endured major medical issues for several years and apparently they all caught up with him. After the Order entered into its diaspora, I worked closely with Frank for many years during the 1990s on various consulting assignments across Africa. Frank was a very creative, and often stubborn, man. I celebrate with you his completed life. Grace and Peace, Terry Bergdall

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On Frank and Sandy
by via OE 22 May '15

22 May '15

Sandy and Frank; Frank and Sandy. They were a team once that held our breaths in wonder, like the solitary and corporate souls that bumped into our existence. We are all heading out with whatever life covenant we have in our lifetime frame. (If you did not do yours at academy, and every year thereafter, grab a colleague and do it again!) We may be "nobodies" in the large scheme of things, but between the birthing and dying of our consciousness, we are creatures of our creation and innovation, and that somebody, privately held in its authenticity, is where most of us belong. To Sandy and Frank, for the memory, and to Frank, for the completion of a well-orchestrated journey, l'achaim! j'aime la vie yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today, participate! in all, celebrate! -----Original Message----- From: via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> To: oe <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Sat, May 23, 2015 3:36 am Subject: OE Digest, Vol 38, Issue 17 Send OE mailing list submissions to oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net

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Completed Life of Frank Powell
by Terry Bergdall via OE 22 May '15

22 May '15

I have heard from Sandy Conant, Frank's former wife, that Frank died earlier this week in Nairobi. He endured major medical issues for several years and apparently they all caught up with him. After the Order entered into its diaspora, I worked closely with Frank for many years during the 1990s on various consulting assignments across Africa. Frank was a very creative, and often stubborn, man. I celebrate with you his completed life. Grace and Peace, Terry Bergdall

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Parliament of World Religions
by David Zahrt via OE 22 May '15

22 May '15

How many people from our 'crowd' are planning to attend the *Parliament of World Religions *meeting at Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Oct 15-19? Looks like we could save $$ if we had a group going and registered by Jun 30-- - Spouse/partner--$449 - Group of 5-9--$399 - Group of 10+ $389 Here's the URL-- < https://www.instantreg.com/registration/register.jspx?id=a54b854e4352167d> -- Peace, David

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