Friends:

The Consortium Science and Religion Faculty group is always open to something new.

Today they decided to pursue a multi-dimensional grant that would provide a platform for peace-building. The proposal, now in development, would look at the variety of dimensions of reconciliation--and the studies and data that may be helpful in an integrated approach to building peace between individuals and among groups.

As you can see, they aim high.

Peace,
John

Friends:

I finished my fall round of talks to new [and sometimes old] students at the member schools this past Saturday at Virginia Union University's Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology in Richmond.

I always try to come early and stay late at these events if I can.
For me the most exciting part of this Retreat Morning for Faculty and Students was the hour of prayer and praise--and an excellent sermon by Dr. Adam Bond, who is a new faculty member. A key element of his message [I could not summarize the many points] was that God is not finished with us yet.

Readers of this blog know that I consider prayer together as the most important aspect of Ecumenism--and I have enjoyed praying with many of you during this fall season of orientations.

Peace,
John

I gave 12 orientation talks in all--the basic ten points can be found on the Consortium website under my picture.

Friends:

Each year I participate in many student orientations and review Crossin's 10 points. [These are available on the website under my picture.]

This past Wednesday I went to Richmond for the orientations at Union/PSCE and at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. I always enjoy my trips to Richmond. Its good to leave the Beltway area from time to time. The folks in Richmond are quite hospitable--and I enjoy my chance to speak to the new students. Several expressed a strong desire to study at the schools in Washington through cross-registration. This might be accomplished more readily during the January Terms and the Summer Schools.

Perhaps some students here in the Beltway area would also like to study in Richmond. Let me encourage you. As I said I enjoy traveling there--and I enjoyed teaching in Richmond in January of 2007--and will do so again in January 2009.

My trips also put me in mind of the region.
The Baltimore-Washington--Richmond corridor is fast becoming an economic region--this explains some of the traffic on 95. As public transportation improves we might also become a "theological region."

When we collaborate we are all stronger.

Peace,
John

Friends:

The Annual Consortium Ecumenical Orientation was yesterday. It is one of our most memorable events.

Roughly 115 student participated in the late afternoon prayer service at Catholic University. They then proceeded to 11 neighboring religious communities for dinner and discussion.

Many students stopped me as they prepared to head home--they mentioned how hospitable everyone was. Several noted that they had shared about their spiritual journeys that had brought them to prepare for ministry. There was a depth to their conversation.

Ecumenism flourishes when we can share our heartfelt concerns with others.
The Holy Spirit often speaks to us through others.

This yearly event reminds me of the power of personal relationships--in the Spirit as we say.

Peace,
John