So – as a practicing preacher ( 😉) I start with the text, where it came from and its context – and then what the life issue was within that setting. Then I talk about the life experience. I treat it as ORID – but with the O R and I on the text as an ‘art form.’ Bill From: Terry Bergdall <bergdall2@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 10:41 AM To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: w.schlesinger@pvida.net Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] A message from Leo Bill, I spend almost every Sunday morning “demythologizing” the sermon at my local more-or-less progressive oriented church in real time as it is being delivered. Those sermons often sound very much like the Pope’s message. On the rare occasions these days that I am asked to deliver a spiritual message, I try to follow the methodology of RS-1, i.e., share insights that spring from life experience before connecting them with traditional religious symbols. See attached (but only if you’re really interested) when I was asked to do the children’s lesson on Transfiguration Sunday a few years ago. Terry On Dec 20, 2025, at 11:00, Bill Schlesinger via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> > wrote: Or did you want the Pope’s comments ‘translated?’ Lots of stuff on the God lecture – popping balloons. Things that fall apart and don’t sustain meaning. A sense of a centeredness about being embraced/accepted and living from that perspective. Damage done by living out of ‘lesser gods’ and the willingness to do violence. At least that’s what came through for me. Bill From: OE < <mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of James Wiegel via OE Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:46 AM To: Order Ecumenical Community < <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: James Wiegel < <mailto:jfwiegel@yahoo.com> jfwiegel@yahoo.com> Subject: [Oe List ...] A message from Leo Can you translate to ICA EI jargon? Can you translate to every day? <https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BKcL27HyT/%26source%3Dgmail-imap%26ust%3D1766846944000000%26usg%3DAOvVaw3aIear5BU7MbdOvGwcZT7y&source=gmail-imap&ust=1766857248000000&usg=AOvVaw1BZ6udEgQKkstPysmqvoL5> https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BKcL27HyT/ Jim Wiegel -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: This transmission may contain confidential information belonging to the sender that is legally privileged and proprietary and may be subject to protection under the law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or disclosing its contents. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments without reading, forwarding or saving them. Thank you