Not-So-Quiet Days

Friends:

I have been at the office this week trying to catch up.
Our office closes the first week of August and then we are all back for good.

It used to be that the Consortium slowed down in the summer for catch-up and planning for the future. Marguerite and I were noting the other day that this no longer happens. There is always something to do or more importantly someone to meet and learn from.

Peace,
John

Young Ecumenists

Friends:

As many of you know, one of my 'little projects' is to encourage the next generation of ecumenists. [Of course, it is good for me to get to know such great people]

I had lunch with one up-and-coming Lutheran Ecumenist Today--Erin Betz.

Erin is a recent grad of LTSG who just spent a year at Boston University and will commence her doctoral studies at General Theological Seminary in NYC next fall. She is working this summer in Washington.

Erin was one of the people who began the recent renaissance of the Consortium Student Board. She served as co-chair. She and her colleagues, now friends, got things done and initiated a lot of new ventures such as the Student Ecumenical Dialogue in the Spring.

Everyone--beginning with the Board of Trustees--is taking notice. There now is a report at each Board of Trustees meeting from the Student Board. A student--Tracey Kelly of VTS--now sits on the Consortium Communications Committee.

I wish Erin all the best in her studies!

Peace,
John

PS I am off to vacation and will resume this blog week after next!

Focolare Movement: Spirituality of Unity

Friends:

One of the delights of my job is meeting people and learning.
Last week I met with Mary Young and Bill Neu of the Focolare Movement.

The Focolare is a Catholic Movement for unity that began during World War II.
It is a movement for spiritual and social renew with a very strong ecumenical dimension.
Their focus is a spirituality of unity.

Bill and Mary and I talk for well over an hour about the local and regional work of the Focolare and about the Consortium as a regional ecumenical organization. We agreed to try to be of assistance to one another in our important work for unity.

They left me a copy of the Focolare monthly publication Living City [www.livingcitymagazine.com]

In it I read this quote from Chiara Lubich:

It is not that one church or another must die off (as at times it is feared), but that each church should be born anew in unity. And living in this Church in full communion will be marvelous, as fascinating as a miracle, capturing the attention and the interest of the whole world.

To this I say Amen.

John

Certificate in Muslim-Christian Relations

Friends:

Just a little note to let you know that we still are working here at the Consortium.

Dr. Richard Jones and I met for lunch at VTS [I was over that way for a medical test that turned out well] to discuss the Certificate, the Alwani Chair and other matters. We continue to maintain enthusiasm about this new venture. We are thinking now about the Advisory Board, upcoming courses, presentation of the first Certificates and the like.

Hope you are in a cool place on these muggy days.

Peace,
John