Science and Religion

Friends:

You can tell from all these posts--pretty unusual for me--that a lot has happened this week.

Fr. Jim Wiseman of Catholic University gave an excellent presentation at the monthly Science and Religion Faculty Group luncheon at WTU. Jim wanted to explore what we can learn from the current discussion/controversy with the 'new atheists.' He pointed out 3 areas that we might think more about. He began to explore them. He focused most on miracles.

Jim invited questions and comments--as he is developing his ideas.

There was lengthy discussion.

He took copious notes--He will be revising for a future more extended professional presentation. As usual the group is not completely of one mind, so it makes the discussion interesting.

Peace,

John

Patriarchal Encyclical

Friends:

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued an Encyclical on the Sunday of Orthodoxy
[February 21, 2010].

I recommend it to you.
It can be found on the website of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.
http://www.thyateira.org.uk/

I found two points struck me in particular:

"...Orthodoxy must be in constant dialogue with the world. The Orthodox Church does not fear dialogue because truth is not afraid of dialogue."

Our Consortium is certainly about dialogue between and among Christians.
Fear, as Archbishop Vsevolod once told me, is the prime obstacle to our relationships.

"It is not possible for the Lord to agonize over the unity of His disciples and for us to remain indifferent about the unity of all Christians. This would constitute criminal betrayal and transgression of His divine commandment." [see John 17.21]

These are strong words that indicate the great importance of the mission of our
Consortium.

Peace,
John

Howard Alumni--Induction of Faculty Members

Friends:

I attended a very fine service last night at HUSD.
During the Worship Service

Dr. and Mrs. Evans Crawford
Dr. and Mrs. Henry Ferry
Dr. and Mrs. Gene Rice
Ms. Cassandra Newsome

were inducted into the alumni.

Drs. Crawford, Ferry and Rice are recently retired faculty members.
Their spouses have been involved in their ministry.
Cassandra Newsome just retired after many years of administration.

I thought that this recognition was a great tribute to their many years of service.

Peace,
John

Annual Ecumenists' Dinner

Friends:

The Annual Dinner--preceded by the Annual Meeting of the Consortium Ecumenism Committee--took place yesterday. All those who teach ecumenism and inter religious dialogue are invited to this annual opportunity to meet colleagues and network.

Several interesting items arose under 'New Business' at the Committee meeting.
Dr. Conte at Wesley has moved his ecumenism course into a 'hybrid' format.
Some classes are face-to-face and some work is through Blackboard.
This seems to be working well--and drew interest from others.

I would note that his format lessens one of the negative aspects of team teaching--the need for travel. Professors teaching together come together less often with the class and spend more time online with the students. This is an interesting development.

Peace,
John

Faculty--Annual Library of Congress Orientation

Friends:

Every year Cheryl Adams, Religion Specialist at the Library of Congress and active member of the Consortium Librarians Group, hosts faculty for an orientation to the Library. She gave her normal splendid introduction to a group this past Friday.

One of the benefits to Faculty of the institutions in our group is proximity and access to the LC--the largest library in the world.

Cheryl, who is most generous with her time, is willing to make contacts and note resources for our Consortium faculty members. She is happy to help us access the immense resources in volumes--but also in specialists--at the Library.

I am always most grateful to her--and to our Librarians--for such dedicated service.

Peace,
John

Prayer Service for Christian Unity and Figel Lecture

Friends:

The Annual Prayer Service, delayed a week because of the blizzards, was a wonderful event.
It took place in Caldwell Hall at Catholic University

The Student Board worked diligently to put it together--and the co-Chairs Linwood Blizzard [who continued to enjoy kidding because of his name!] and Tracey Kelley, led us in reverent, song-filled, and uplifting prayer. Many Student Board members were present and all participated.

In the course of the Service, Marc Delmonico of CUA--and formerly of WTU--received the Consortium Certificate in Ecumenism.

Ambassador Clyde Taylor, Chairman of the Consortium Board of Trustees, presented the Consortium Ecumenism Award to his Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos. Metropolitan Kallistos is a leading Orthodox Scholar.

After a Reception, the crowd moved into the Happel Room for the Annual Figel Lecture.
Jack Figel was present and offered an anecdote explaining the snowy background to his cordial initial relationship with Metropolitan Kallistos begun years ago.

The Metropolitan spoke with great clarity.
He is a superb and interesting speaker.
He summarized the recent work of the International Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue--including the Ravenna Agreed Statement and the recent meeting in Cyprus. He outline issues that are on the horizon and will need discussion. His was both an encouraging and realistic assessment of the important progress being made and of the road ahead.

He fielded several important questions after his presentation.

All in all, the day was a most inspiring one:

• the insightful direction of the Board of Trustees [2:45 meeting],
• the dedication of the Student Board,
• the hospitality of Msgr. Irwin and Msgr. McPartlan,
• the hard work of Associate Dean Mark Morozowich,
• the humor and scholarship of Metropolitan Kallistos,
• the generosity of Jack Figel,
• the many people in attendance

were inspiring. Our ecumenical efforts continue--in a modest way--to build a positive and peaceful future.

Peace,
John

The Ravenna Statement--And Metropolitan Kallistos

Friends:

On Friday afternoon, Msgr. Paul McPartlan of Catholic University--a member of the International Orthodox Catholic Dialogue--gave a presentation and led a discussion of the 2007 Ravenna Agreed Statement of the Dialogue.

A fascinating discussion with Consortium colleagues in Systematic Theology ensued--and went on for quite a bit more time than I had expected.

One of the many points I took away was the necessity of seeing this Statement in the light of the previous three agreed statements of the Dialogue. They are an agreed sequence and shed light on one another. Any statement from the current round of the Dialogue will be seen in light of the four statements.

This discussion makes me even more interested in hearing Metropolitan Kallistos tomorrow [6:30 Figel Address at Caldwell Hall, Catholic University] with his views on the current dialogue.

Peace,
John

Shoveling out of the Snowdrifts--Events Rescheduled

Friends:

I spent the last couple of days shoveling out.
I imagine that you might have too.

I should note:

All the event for February 9th have been rescheduled for February 16th
The Board Meeting, Prayer Service for Christian Unity, and Figel Address.
All are welcome beginning with the Prayer Service at 4:30 in Caldwell Chapel.

Peace,
John

An Invitation to Monthly Prayer for Christian Unity

Friends:

Are you being called by the Spirit to pray regularly for Christian Unity?

Having preached today at Virginia Theological Seminary [notes to be posted later] on Christian Unity, I am conscious of the need to pray for Unity on a more regular basis.

In fact, for the last few weeks I have been wondering if I should propose that we form a group(s) in the Consortium of students, faculty, administrators, Board and friends [anyone who feels called by the Spirit] to pray once a month.

My ideas are just forming--but some colleagues whom I greatly respect affirm the inspiration.

I am thinking of:

• a monthly meeting
• no more than an hour
• with sharing of intentions
• with time for silent prayer
• with a short time for bible sharing/communal prayer [e.g. morning prayer]
• with an initial commitment for March, April and May.

If you read this and feel the Spirit moving you,
please email me at crossin@washtheocon.org

Peace,
John