Mistakes and Shortcomings

Friends:

From time to time I think of my 'opportunities missed', 'mistakes made', and 'insensitivity to people' in my Consortium work. I apologize for these if I realize them. One cannot do this ministry without embracing the virtue of humility.

I have been reading an Orbis Book of selected writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Toward the end of the work he says:

"I believe that even our mistakes and shortcomings are turned to good account, and this it no harder for God to deal with them than with our supposedly good deeds."

This is sobering and consoling.

I am trying to live the 'life of the Spirit', to 'give everything over', as we say--even all the mistakes.

Peace,
John

Thanksgiving for My Many Blessings

Friends:

As I enter now into a period of transition to a new--and as yet undetermined--position, I am grateful for the 13 years I have spent as Director of the Consortium. As I prepare to leave next June, I have a host of memories and many things to be thankful for.

Many people have been most kind to me over this extended period of time. I have met with great hospitality--and wonderful collaboration in our search for Christian Unity.

It has been a little surprising to me how much people identify me with the Consortium. I guess this happens naturally if you stay as long as I have. [There are no current members of the Board of Trustees or the Council of Academic Deans who were in office when I became Director in 1998.]

I think of the Consortium as a large group of people in 17 different institutions who are seeking Christian unity and inter religious understanding.

The Consortium is people in dialogue and collaboration.
I have been happy--most days-- to be a facilitator of this dialogue.

Let us continue to pray for one another and for the Consortium as we begin this time of transition.

A blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace,
John

Deans Gather

Friends:

As I have said many times on this blog, the Council of Academic Deans is one of the hardest working groups in the Consortium.

They gathered on Monday at VTS in the new 'Deans Dining Room' at VTS for lunch and discussion. The most interesting part is the sharing of information and concerns over lunch. Insights into accreditation preparations and visits are among the items mentioned.

The second most interesting part is the discussion of Academic matters. Significantly, the Deans decided to continue a yearly discussion of online courses and their strengths and weaknesses. They will engage this next November.

They reviewed Faculties' Convocation 2010 at Wesley [many thanks to Wesley for all the hard work] and planned Faculties' Convocation 2011.

I sometimes find the meetings exhausting--but they are always most interesting.

Peace,
John

Forgiving and Reconciling:
A Psychologist Looks at
Christian Theology and Scientific Research

Friends:

Dr. Everett Worthington of Virginia Commonwealth University gave a stimulating presentation on the latest research from Psychology on Forgiving and Reconciling this past Saturday at WTU. This was the finale in of a series of presentations--in the Monthly Friday meetings and in the public lectures--on forgiveness from a scientific point of view.

The room was filled with folks from the Consortium and from science and religion groups in our region. The discussion had to be ended--but continued dowstairs at lunch.

Dr. Worthington is a Christian--so he also presented some convergences between recent studies and Christian practice/belief. All in all a fascinating morning.

Peace,
John

State of Ecumenism--Talk at John Leland

Friends:

I was happy to share a few thoughts on trends for the ecumenical future--with faculty and students at the John Leland Center yesterday after lunch.

As you know if you read this blog, I have a few thoughts.

This time I noted:

• The rise of third world Christianity means an increasing prominence of social justice issues in our ecumenical discussion.
• The somewhat surprising discussions and agreement of Catholics and Orthodox signal movement which is 'under the radar' of most folks. The recent statement of the North American Orthodox Catholic Dialogue is a case in point.
• Issues of personal morality need to be discussed--and have not been much up to this point.
• The cut-backs at the national level lend more importance to regional ecumenical efforts.

Peace,

John

The Importance of Grass-Roots Ecumenism--Kinnamon II

Friends:

In his closing remarks two weeks ago Michael Kinnamon challenged us to consider the structure of the ecumenical movement. In 100 years it has gone from a predominantly lay movement to one dominated by professional ecumenists. Maybe it will return to being a lay movement.

Several friends have pointed out to me that there is a turn to regional grass-roots ecumenism. Consortia like ours would have a role to play--we are already training local leaders in our Graduate Ecumenism Certificate and Doctor of Ministry in Ecumenism [offered by Wesley Seminary].

We are encouraging professors through our Annual Ecumenists' Dinner. We are encouraging lay leaders through our Annual Friends Reception--and our public lectures on Ecumenism.

The future seems to be in local and regional collaboration for the common good. This will need to be oriented to both social justice and to agreement in faith--both rooted deeply in the life of prayer.

Peace,
John

US Surgeon General Benjamin Opens HUSD Convocation

Friends:

It was a pleasure to attend the Opening Service of the HUSD 94th Annual Convocation.
The community prayed together,heard a very uplifting address by Dr. Regina Benjamin and dedicated two paintings by Meseretu Wondie of Ethiopia in honor of the late civil rights lawyer Louis Gilden.

Dr. Benjamin had many good points. One that has stuck with me has to do with what she called 'leading from the back'--pushing others to the front, encouraging their talents. letting them lead....Isn't this what we are called to do in our ministry?

Peace,
John

Consortium and the Holy Spirit

Friends:

I have been reading Yves Congar: Essential Writings which came out this year from Orbis Books. Toward the end of thee book Congar is quoted:

"This indeed is the Holy Spirit's special work: to bring plurality and diversity into unity--without violence and by an interior stimulation that acts as a spontaneous and joyful initiative in the individual." [203]

This passage and similar ones reminded me that the Consortium too is the work of the Holy Spirit--bringing our diversity and plurality into unity. I/we must continue to seek the Spirit's guidance for our work together.

Peace,
John

Prayer for Christian Unity

Friends:

For several months now I have been offering prayer suggestions for those who wish to pray monthly for Christian Unity. Beginning with Advent, however, I will offer occasional spiritual reflections on this Blog. As I often say here, prayer is most important. We need the guidance of the Spirit.

Here is my final monthly guide:

• To: Friends Praying Monthly for Christian Unity
  From: John Crossin
  Re: Some Suggestions for our Monthly Prayer
  Date: November, 2010—Virtues for Ecumenical Life
  
  Friends—it is fitting that this last of my Monthly Suggestions has to do with my favorite topic--the virtues. The passage from Ephesians is a classic unity text.
  
  
  1. We might read reflectively Ephesians 4:1-6.
  
  We might quietly reflect for 5-10 minutes.
  
  *How are we practicing humility, gentleness, patience and love in our ecumenical work?
  * Are we relying on the Spirit to guide us?
  
  2. If you are praying with someone, you might share a reflection with the other(s).
  
  3. You might pray together a prayer of your own choosing. I would suggest an Our Father

Peace,

John