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Amara (Gilbert) Oden
by Michael Shaw 20 Jan '26

20 Jan '26

From Amara’s Facebook post: “I've discerned a call to go be in witness and solidarity this week with those in Minneapolis, in response to a call for clergy to come. https://www.marchminnesota.org “ It's supposed to be -10 on the day we are marching outside.” I join my spirit to Amara’s and to all who hear the call. Peace, Michael (Molly) Shaw sent from my phone

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Iron Boy Review
by Ken Fisher 19 Jan '26

19 Jan '26

Colleagues, I am six months late writing this. I must say that David's song reference at the beginning of each chapter spun me out. Reengaging took its own pace. As well, in that time I came very close to edge and now have a pacemaker. Hugs, Ken Iron Boy Review From the blackness of Chicago’s West Side comes the odyssey of IRON BOY. David Marshall writes out of his youth’s microcosm and in the last chapter, holding a knife, he gives life to himself and his peers. Like Hannah Arendt, one of the most influential political theorists of the twentieth century, David Marshall was also influenced by Soren Kierkegaard, Rudolf Bultmann and Paul Tillich. For the first time ever, within itself, the west encountered fascism and went through the paroxysm of World War Two killing 75 million to put our monster back in a box, allowing humanity new life. In the 50s and 60s the impulse of utopianism was everywhere - decolonialization, Black Power, feminism, student power. In Europe and North America, the forces of renewal in Christianity were widespread. David’s Iron Boy allows one to experience the blood and guts of a white boy growing up and growing through this utopianism in the form of The Order Ecumenical, the families and individuals who staffed the Ecumenical Institute from the 60s through the 80s. On the one hand, the secular impact of this 60s community continues globally through the services of the Institute of Cultural Affairs active in about 50 countries. On the other hand, many of the youth who grew up in the Order Ecumenical intentional community suffered deeply. As a young parent, I was there too. My sons are still meeting these challenges with grace.

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Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story
by carol.walters＠yahoo.com 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

The following story was written by George Walters after we talked together about our memories of the Baumbach's when we lived and worked together. Jim Baumbach: A Westside Story By George Walters It was a cold Chicago winter, 1977, and the old WestsideBethany Seminary where the ICA colleagues lived to work in Fifth City wassuddenly without heat for the third time. All the stopgap solutions had notworked on the ancient steam heating system. We were getting quotes on a newsystem, which for an NGO budget were astronomical. Jim had spoken to me several times about a treatment andrestoration system of the old system and pipes that his company sold around theworld and so we talked again and he said, “Let me show you what is possible.” I okayed a modest budget so he could go towork. We managed to clunk along for several days by wearingsweaters and jackets, kept warm enough to work. Suddenly after about a week, the heat was on everywhere. A knock on mydoor and Jim was standing there smiling and saying, “come look.” Down into the basement we went, and I could hear the roar ofthe furnace as we approached and there it was – new pipes painted red, and aseries of drums of chemicals across the floor with tubing tied into new valveswith handles you could turn. He and our building super, Mike Ford, were beamingfrom ear to ear as they explained to me the technology and the chemicals beingapplied. “This tank will begin to clean out the rust and corrosionacross the entire 5 story campus” he said. “This tank will prevent new build upof corrosion” he added. “This big barrel will collect the corrosion which wecan then have hauled away. Mike will gradually increase the corrosion, removalchemicals and increase the chemicals that prevent build-up. I will help him monitor.” But then there was the long-term issue. It was still an oldsystem which could have other ailments. The chemicals were costly and wouldneed to be sustained to sustain the system. Jim just smiled and said, yes thatis all true, but we’ll tackle that next winter. I agreed. I’m not sure how therest of that winter got paid for, but I think I know. By the next winter, I wasgone and we soon left the old campus in favor of the Bethany Hospital’sexpansion plan. Today as we mourn Jim’s passing, we all remember theconsummate professional he was, and the generous spirit he embodied as shown inthis one of many stories.

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How would we rewrite this?
by James Wiegel 07 Jan '26

07 Jan '26

The current pope is calling for a re-reading and study of the documents from Vatican II ‘62-65 as they give guidance for these days. Our councils and formation date from this same time period. I wonder what we would say? https://www.facebook.com/share/1CJhetcnS5/ Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver

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Harvard Exposes "Parasitic” Toxins Are Devouring The Memories Of Nearly Every American Over 61
by Sunny Walker 03 Jan '26

03 Jan '26

This CNN report & the all natural supplement could return our disappearing colleagues to us. Check it out. Harvard Exposes "Parasitic” Toxins Are Devouring The Memories Of Nearly Every American Over 61 https://share.google/ewBhb0eAe4DqfflVR *Sunny Walker * *She/her/hers* *On **Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) tribal land* Certified Facilitator (Also Certified ToP Facilitator) ToP Methods Mentor Trainer - Upcoming Courses <https://www.top-training.net/w/> Virtual Facilitation Collaborative Senior Facilitator sunny.sunwalker(a)gmail.com 303-587-3017 For diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging inquiries: sunny(a)diversityinnovators.com www.diversityinnovators.com For virtual facilitation inquiries: sunny(a)virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com www.virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com

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MY PACKAGE
by Cynthia Vance 01 Jan '26

01 Jan '26

Hi Folks, I received a lovely 'Happy Birthday' fruit package for my Jan 2, birthday (I'll be 82)There is no indication of who sent me this gift.Anyone here on the OE or ICA list serve? Thanks,Cynthia Vance (I would like to thank this person -- the fruit is delicious!)

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Return to Zambia
by Terry Bergdall 31 Dec '25

31 Dec '25

This trip was an important highlight of the year for me. The attached reflection was primarily written for my personal journal but then, with a few alterations, I thought it might be something that could be shared with others as a brief update about my current activities. However, if you find the text too distant from your interests, then you might just enjoy skipping to end to view some photos via a quick scan. Read as much or as little as you desire! Terry

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Re: [Oe List ...] Completed life of Ed Feldmanis
by Isobel and Jim 29 Dec '25

29 Dec '25

Dear friends, I am so sorry to read of the death of Ed. I did not know his birth name of Atis. Over the years we corresponded on many topics I remember one such was his own family story and how he came from Latvia. I have Latvian friends here so like Jo, I think we bonded over that connection . He will be deeply missed from The Greenrise Community and all his many friends within his networks . Here, Australia is in a deep trough, after the recent 15 person massacre of members of the Jewish community. Various different voices are trying to sense a way forward on a pathway of unity and social cohesion. We face a delicate and uncertain process to overcome antisemitism. The genocide of 70,000 Palestinians to date in Gaza and the West Bank has shaken many Australians. At last trucks are now entering into the war zones and delivering food and aid, although the severe winter weather is heavy. Our Prime Minister is being strongly tested to act quickly, a very difficult scenario for him to navigate. Many people here have doubts about the Prime Minister of Israel and his Israeli Army, with such precise tactics to date. My view. We all long for peace both globally and locally. The Guardian has sent an article from Robert Reich ‘Americans are waking up. A grand reckoning awaits us.’ As an interested and concerned outsider,I found it a very helpful article. I hope and pray for a peaceful New Year and democracy to make its beginning to return. With these best wishes and my love, Isobel Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425 > On 29 Dec 2025, at 9:54 am, Terry Bergdall via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > This morning, Sunday, December 28, Ed Feldmanis passed at his home in the GreenRise Intentional Community, Chicago. Ed was a long-time OE and ICA staff member, a communitarian at GreenRise, and, more recently, a dedicated volunteer with the ICA Archives program. He also was a strongly committed member of an active, and long-standing, men’s group in the greater Chicago area. > > Grace and Peace, > > Terry Bergdall > _______________________________________________ > OE mailing list > OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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Completed life of Ed Feldmanis
by Terry Bergdall 29 Dec '25

29 Dec '25

This morning, Sunday, December 28, Ed Feldmanis passed at his home in the GreenRise Intentional Community, Chicago. Ed was a long-time OE and ICA staff member, a communitarian at GreenRise, and, more recently, a dedicated volunteer with the ICA Archives program. He also was a strongly committed member of an active, and long-standing, men’s group in the greater Chicago area. Grace and Peace, Terry Bergdall

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Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Completed life of Ed Feldmanis
by Doug and Pat Druckenmiller 28 Dec '25

28 Dec '25

What? Oh dear. Very sad news. Ed rather saved my sanity the first summer in Hai Ou. While he and others had Hepatitis, I was trying to carry on. When I was a kid near Seattle, we had Latvian refugee neighbors. Ed and I bonded over that connection. He will be missed Pat Druckenmiller Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________ From: Dialogue <dialogue-bounces(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of Jo Nelson via Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2025 5:02:11 PM To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: Jo Nelson <jo.r.nelson(a)gmail.com>; Order Ecumenical Community <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Completed life of Ed Feldmanis Oh, no! It’s sad to hear this. I originally met him in 1970/71 when he visited the DC House. His name was really Atis Feldmanis, and he had Latvian heritage — maybe was born there. In 1970 I remember he was very careful not to tell strangers he was Latvian. I think this was from his family’s fear after WW2. Recently he told me his mother pronounced it “Atti”, and he really appreciated it when I called him Atis. -- Jo Nelson, CPF, CTF <jo.r.nelson(a)gmail.com<mailto:jo.r.nelson@gmail.com>> 647 233 6910 "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead On Sun, Dec 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM Terry Bergdall via Dialogue <dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net<mailto:dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote: This morning, Sunday, December 28, Ed Feldmanis passed at his home in the GreenRise Intentional Community, Chicago. Ed was a long-time OE and ICA staff member, a communitarian at GreenRise, and, more recently, a dedicated volunteer with the ICA Archives program. He also was a strongly committed member of an active, and long-standing, men’s group in the greater Chicago area. Grace and Peace, Terry Bergdall _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue(a)lists.wedgeblade.net<mailto:Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net

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