The Lord's Prayer

Have you ever had something niggling at you? Maybe your conscience prodding/poking/pushing you? Mine won't be happy until I put something down on paper with regard to this cornerstone of Christianity. No matter what denomination we are, The Lord's Prayer is the most basic principle. In my day, we even recited it in school every morning. It is spoken at the altar by the priest during our service every Sunday on behalf of all the members in the congregation. Somewhere in the world, it is probably being said at almost any moment of the day.
I have 2 thoughts I would like to share:
(1) Working with it on a daily basis, making it personal, internalizing it, taking it into the core of your being. When working with it, what if you were to change the word "our" to "my" and "us" to "me"? Try it and see what happens - what then opens up for you? Perhaps this would be a wonderful discussion sometime after a service.
(2) What if just once, this prayer was spoken at the exact same time all around the world? Imagine how powerful this would be! What would be a good day and time? Some day that is commonly celebrated, like Easter or Christmas perhaps? Christmas is celebrated in the western world on Dec. 25th, but in eastern orthodoxy on Jan. 6th, which for us is Epiphany. In the northern hemisphere, we still have limited daylight at that time of year - about 8 hours here in Vancouver. Sunset is around 4:00 p.m., which is midnight Greenwich time, and 8:00 a.m. (approx. sunrise ) in Japan, if I have my time zones right. We could consider 2400 hours Greenwich time on Jan. 5th. Wouldn't it be nice to give it a try? It would be a great way to welcome in 2012.

There now, maybe my conscience will give me a rest.
Sparky

Let there be Light

Today is a typical day in Vancouver. Wet, dark and dreary. I have to have my old metal fillings replaced soon. It turns out they are way past their due date, and are probably leaking toxic amounts of mercury. I will have them replaced with something more biologically friendly.
I am also in the middle of preparations for our anniversary/fundraiser next Saturday, the 5th of November. The fundraiser is for our conference next summer entitled, "Living Gold". In very olden times, gold was considered a sacred substance, to be kept only by kings and priests. In recent times, it has fallen into a much sought-after metal, the result of which, we now have gaping holes in the Earth, filled with the toxic substances used to extract this metal. Our challenge now is to fill those cavities with healing substance. If you read our friend Felix' earlier blog on light, you can see where I'm trying to go with this. It is a fact that this silvery light is visible under the right conditions during the Act of Consecration of Man. Many of us can attest to it. Much like the silvery light in this picture, it is a spiritual substance that can fill our hearts and heal our spirits. Whether it is in the dark recesses of our souls, or man-made mining pits, we can allow God to work his wondrous healing if only we give Him the opportunity.
See you there.

Destiny

The following is strictly my own opinion, formed over several months of wrestling with the concept of "Sophia", and also partly out of Rev. Locey's talk this past Sunday on "The power of powerlessness."

I would like to first start off with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning elsewhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified on Dec. 10, 1948. Among the 9 committee members who drafted them were China, USSR, Lebanon and Chile, and of course the USA, represented by Eleanor Roosevelt. At this point in our history, it is worthwhile reviewing these Articles and asking ourselves: How are we doing? Alas, neither Canada nor the US has the right to consider ourselves better than any other so-called Third World country. It is still an ideal to which each and every country must hold itself.

Past: Philosophy, the love of wisdom (Sophia)
Present: Anthroposophy, the wisdom of mankind
Future: Philanthropy, the care and nurturing of mankind's potential

Alexander Hamilton in the first paragraph of the first Federalist Paper, launched the Founders' argument for ratification of the US Constitution by noting that "It is commonly remarked" that Americans were at a new place in history, in which for the first time they could design their own government, for the betterment of mankind. "This" he said, "adds the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism." He was saying that the United States of America was being created as an intentionally philanthropic nation, a gift to mankind.

Philanthropy is what is being called forth out of the past, for the sake of the future of all mankind. This was the destiny intended for North America by our forefathers.

This can only be accomplished when we remind ourselves again and again of Christ's admonition to "love our enemies." How can we possibly consider ourselves to be a Christian nation when we fail to follow the most important and basic tenet of our faith, which is to "love one another"? He did not mean just people who are nice to us, or who have something we want, but even more so, those who hate us. Rather than finding the most efficient methods for mass destruction, we must set ourselves to finding the most efficient methods to provide all the basic needs and rights as set out in the Declaration of Human Rights, which we signed over 60 years ago.

Never before in the history of mankind has there been a greater need faced by so many around the globe. Never before has the spirit of American know-how, and Canadian can-do, been needed.

North America has welcomed, and benefited from, immigrants from all over the world. It is time for us to start giving back, so that we can truly say: We are the World, We are the People.....So let's get busy.

Seeds of the Spirit

Today in the northern hemisphere is the first day of Fall. This is the wonderful time of year when one can enjoy crisp weather, beautiful fall colours and all the bounty of harvest time. Fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables have all ripened and are ready to release their seeds for the following year. These seeds are spread far and wide by wind, birds and animals. Then they are embraced by mother Earth, to be protected over the dark days of winter from bitter cold and harsh storms. In early spring, the days start to grow longer, and the rays of the sun warm the earth, encouraging the seeds to send out first roots, then tender green shoots. Gentle rains follow, and between the 3 elements of earth, sun and water these shoots slowly grow into plants. The 4th element, also an essential part of the process, is the wind, for without the wind to move the clouds, there would be no rain.
One can also ask the question, where does rain come from? This is the mysterious cycle of evaporation and condensation which again requires the 3 elements of water, sun and earth working in harmony, facilitated by the 4th element, wind. Clouds form over vast expanses of water, then are moved by the wind towards land. As the clouds get closer to land, the water vapour becomes heavier and heavier, until, reaching high ground, the water is released. It then journeys on and through the earth until it reaches a lake or ocean, and the process is repeated. There is a book beautifully written by Dr. Emoto on the journey of water. It's worth looking for and reading if you have the chance.

On atmosphere during the service

This thought has been going through my mind for a few years now but just in the last two days I realized I have thought enough about it to tell or ask other people as well. I would actually love to hear from others how they perceive the so called "intangible" aspects (in terms of the five senses) of our Services whether they are sitting in the Congregation, celebrating the Act of Consecration of Man or serving at the Alter on either side. For myself I do not "see" something other than what is before me every time but sometimes I do very strongly. It could be an elaborative dwelling of thoughts on something mentioned in the Sermon or in the reading of the Gospel or it could be a general perception of a different kind of "light". Before I ever served a few years ago I would sometimes see different forms of "light atmosphere" off and on (no, I am not talking just about how the wisps of smoke from the Censor waft around the Chapel space!) but now while I do try to serve at least once a month I sense this light quite often. It does not even have to be sunny out but if the combination of mood of the day, the floral arrangements and pre-service conversations with other people is good I am often perceptive enough. Then, while serving, the reflections of the candles off of the Chalice and Censor can really heighten the effect. Plus by the time Christmas rolls around and it happens to be one of the late night services, look out, I am prone to get goose bumps! I have heard others talk about how they have sensed a strong Presence, sometimes in connection with a friend or a loved one who has crossed the Threshold. Also, just yesterday, one of my co-workers mentioned how she was sure a certain person I was close to in my family was present during our conversation and even if this person was not strongly connected to our group in Vancouver there was bound to be a higher connection in the current revealing of space and time. She definitely mentioned the feeling of light and mood during the Services in the way it comes to her. So if one of you has more to share on this topic it would be a great way to connect before or after our Celebrations and especially if we happen to have Potluck on that day too!

Movement

The picture above is of a cloud formation called a chinook arch. Note the stunningly beautiful colours, which occur at sunrise and sunset. A chinook is a special wind experienced particularly in southern Alberta, but can be felt as far north as Fort St. John, and as far south as New Mexico. It's warm air coming in from the Pacific Ocean, dumping precipitation on the west side of mountain ranges, and resulting in warm dry air on the east side. A rapid change in temperature results, as much as 100 degrees difference (-50 to +50, recorded in the Black Hills of South Dakota), with winds gusting up to 106 mph. One of the reasons my brother loved Calgary was that they enjoy 30 days of chinook on average over the winter months. They know that unlike the east coast, they do not have to resign themselves to 6 to 8 months of cold weather. Sooner or later, there will be a chinook, melting snow and bringing a feeling of spring if only temporarily. I used to tease him, though, that on the other hand they can also experience a dump of snow pretty much any month of the year, including high summer. In other words, they live in an environment of constant change. In Alberta, the joke goes, if you don't like the weather, just wait a moment.

This is an extreme example of constant movement, involving the 3 elements of wind, earth, water.

Here's a wonderful quotation (from a tango website) I found recently with regard to movement:

Movement is life. Stillness is only a perception. Movement is everything, sound is movement, light is movement, love is movement. To move is leaving a state in order to seek another. It is believing that there is no end, following a path, forever. If we move, our horizon moves, reaching distances we could have never even imagined. In all of us, something always moves. Movement is the essence of being alive, the deep manifestation of living. Where there is movement, there is life.

Through meditation and contemplation, we create stillness, which in turn creates an opportunity for movement.

I am looking forward to Thomas Meyers' lecture tomorrow on meditation and the call of Michael.

Sparky

Invitation to...

Watch your mailboxes in the next week or two, as your board of directors is sending out a very special invitation. Some of you may already have noted it on your calendar. We will be marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of our church on November 5th. This celebration will also be an official fundraiser for the Living Gold 2012 international conference next July. We are very pleased to be able to combine these two events together in such a way.
I noticed that my last blog was called "Giving Birth".
For this one, I would like to talk about the word, "crowning". This is one of those words in the English language that can have a variety of meanings. It can be either an adjective or a verb.
Let's take the adjective first:
Over the past 40 years, we have so far had 4 priests: Rev. Hegg, Rev. Grimm, Rev. Kientzler and Rev. Locey.
I would like to point out that of the 4, Rev. Werner Grimm has served our community for 32 years now, and I feel that our 40th anniversary could be considered his "crowning" achievement, to a great extent. We are very fortunate to have both Werner and Dietmot still participating so actively. Without Dietmot, we would not have home made bread for communion, or flowers gracing our altar so often.
As a verb, particularly on the subject of birth, you also have the term "crowning", which is when the baby's head first makes its appearance. This is the moment when all of a sudden that baby is a living reality. You still don't know anything else about this baby, but you know it is going to be here any minute! This picture can be applied to the 2012 conference. It's getting closer and closer, and one day we will wake up and know that it is almost upon us.
We have our anniversary on the one hand, celebrating all the hard work and support with which our church has been blessed over the years, and on the other hand, the 2012 conference: heralding the beginning of something new for our community.
There is usually a lot of preparation and excitement in a family when a new baby is coming. Friends, relatives, and co-workers all want to get involved. Maybe it involves fixing up a nursery, or helping the mother so she doesn't get too worn out, or making sure all the necessities will be on hand to help the family with unavoidable costs.
As we look back on the 40 years that have already passed, we can also ask ourselves, is all in readiness for what lies ahead? What kind of legacy are we leaving for those who will be coming after us? Is everything neat and tidy and in good repair, or is it all falling apart?
By now you may have noticed the bolding of the number 40. This is because coincidentally, it takes about 40 weeks from the time of conception the birth of a baby, and come to think of it, as of the middle of October, we will have 40 weeks left before the conference!
Let's get ready for that baby.

Sparky

Giving Birth

This week in Washington, DC, the Dalai Lama is hosting a very special 10 day event called a kalachakra, or consciousness raising. The image above is painstakingly created in sand at the beginning of the event, and then dissolved at the end. It's a very solemn, yet at the same time joyous, occasion, filled with hope and promise.

What does raising your consciousness mean, and how do you go about it?

To me, it means breaking through an invisible barrier. We all have things that hold us back: fear, pain, anxiety, anger, the desire or need to hold on to things that are familiar to us, or just stuff in general. That little voice inside your head that tells you, don't do it! We all have stored memories and feelings this little voice brings up when you are faced with making a decision - it's part of who we are up to now. You can suspend or dampen this voice for brief periods of time, but not forever.

But there is another voice that speaks from the heart. It will always tell you the truth. It will always tell you the right thing to do. Being able to examine and transform negative thoughts, memories and feelings helps you to listen more to what is in your heart, waiting to be brought forth. The more you can do this, the more you are able to "raise" your consciousness.

Some people describe it as being "reborn". In a very similar way, it's like being pregnant and giving birth. A baby is a symbol for hope and promise for the future, but to get there, you have to go through a whole lot of changes, some painful, some not. Sometimes that baby just doesn't want to come out! (That would be my first child - 3 weeks late, and 36 hours of labour.) The good news is, you are filled with such gratitude and euphoria when the baby finally arrives, that you forget all about the pain. You forget that by the time you're ready to deliver, you just want to pack up and go home - that's the little voice inside your head. You know it's about persevering and pushing through, because something unimaginably wonderful is waiting.

It's a joy that everyone wants to share in and be a part of.

Do you know the song, I Have a Dream, by ABBA?

Art exchange

Sometime late last year my daughter and one of the companions at Cascadia engaged in an exchange of original art created by themselves. I will give initials only here to respect their privacies. It started out one day with AFL telling me he had made a drawing that he wanted to show me. Then he opened a cupboard door, produced the mixed media drawing shown above and continued: "I made this for your daughter." I'll tell you, I was floored and so was my daughter when I brought the art piece home that evening. She absolutely loved it and right away hung it on the wall at the head end of her bed. Then I got to thinking if my daughter could give something to AFL in return and I thought of a poem she had written a few months before. She didn't think it was that great but everyone we showed it to thought otherwise so we produced a copy and I gave it to AFL the next chance I got. I'm telling you, he was so happy I could see his eyes moistening up on the spot! So here now is the poem which my daughter JAS wrote:

                    Memory
Somewhere out along the sea,
Lives a lonely Memory.
I've seen this Memory once before,
Wading near the ocean's shore.

It glides about just like a bird,
It never stops, or so I've heard.
Folks only know to believe it exists,
Some place far into the mist.

Just last week I stood alone,
Waves rolling in; a bluish tone.
I swear I saw, upon the sea,
A familiar sight, the Memory.

I'm not quite sure if it was that,
But at one time it was here that it sat.
So live a while, and possibly,
You'll come across this Memory.

JAS 2010

from feeling to thought to paper

Here at the Christian Community I think it is fair to say that creative Spirituality is a good part of our social aspect. Past festivals come to mind where we had various workshops of many kinds, poetry contributions from more than several people and a whole assortment of artistic presentations brought forth also with people from Cascadia and the Waldorf School.
Almost exactly two months ago I had a sudden flood of ideas for this poem while I was at work at Cascadia, I had gone down to the creek to wash my hands I believe. By the time I got home that evening I had it pretty well worked out on paper but I have to admit I tweaked a few words just before I got ready to type it out here today. I am calling it:


Water trail, woodland grows

We went down to the creek today; my childhood came with me and held my hand for awhile. Invisible, nearly silent and not quite so noiseless beings came to murmur almost secret goings-ons of Spring's gradual but ever faster explosion along the water banks. My childhood smiled and spoke softly:
" These are the kinds of places you used to play in, among Nature's peaceful roots popping out of the ground and the wide spread of green boughs and different coloured blooms." The spaces between trees were calm as Sun unfolded it's golden blanket and elsewhere a woodpecker hammered on a metal furnace chimney. "Still looking for bugs?" I wondered. I thought to myself: "The woods are almost nicer now than in mid-Summer because every thing is so suddenly fresh and not over burdened." Don't get me wrong, I like most things about every season by the time it comes along. Then I went back to my work and to write this down later so I could think of it again someday and to share it with you.

(That woodpecker was heard a few times this Spring on the North Shore and I would be amazed to see who responds to say they heard it too. Once, during a Thursday morning co-worker biography presentation, it began a very loud rat-a-tat-tat on the Cascadia chimney and most everyone had a good chuckle about it!)

Vespers Tomorrow Night

If you are a parent or a teacher, by this time of year, you may be feeling frazzled, fatigued, frayed, or if you're watching the Canucks, just plain frustrated.


Tomorrow night, Rev. Locey is offering something very special for Whitsun, a vespers service. Now I may just be getting old, but I don't recall ever having a vespers service here in Vancouver before, especially not for Whitsun.


It's a very special way of being able to detach yourself from the events of the day, perhaps even dating back to the Essenes, especially when it is preceded by a community meal.


In my own limited experience, I have found it to be renewing and re-enlivening - but you'll just have to come and "see" for your Self.


If you can't make it for 6:00 for the potluck, I recommend "shooting" for the service at 7:00.


Hey - it's been 40 years - it's our turn for the Cup!





Sparky


Song for the day: Stompin' Tom Connors' Hockey Night in Canada

Gone Fishing

This blog is dedicated to my brother, Richard James Gronlund, who passed away last week in Calgary, at the age of 52.
My brother was born in Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., overlooking the Fraser River. The landscape along this mighty river, is, so I have been told, similar to the landscape along the Jordan River.
He was the only boy, sandwiched between 4 girls, and life with so many women was not easy! Picture a man about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds. He liked to wear either a black muscle shirt, or a black leather vest. His body was covered in scars from his rough and tumble days as a roofer. Most people would have taken him to be a biker, but his family and friends knew that under that gruff exterior was a heart of gold. It could very well have been his heart that gave out on him in the end.
At the age of 35, he turned his life around and went through AA - we were very, very proud of him. He did not have much of a formal education, but believed in self-education, and subscribed to a variety of magazines, including men's health and nutrition. He liked to cook, putter with cars, and put in a basement suite pretty much on his own.
He loved nature, and was a very good illustrator of animals and birds, perhaps in another lifetime he had been an artist.
He talked about working with street people when he retired, because he knew what it was to have an addiction.
Above everything else in this world, though, my brother loved to fish.
We love you, bro.

Shirley, Carolyn, Pat and Jill

Love is the great mystery of life

Dear friends, last week I very nearly lost my son.
What happens when a loss or near loss occurs? The world stops as you have known it and pauses, before everything resumes, but it can never be the same as it was. I have had to let my son go so that he can begin a new life. He won't understand right now, but hopefully he will later on.
I'm grateful that it has happened in springtime. Tulips, rhododendrons and trees are in full flower. This is the time of year when one can experience the miracle of new life with all one's senses. Beauty surrounds us. What seemingly was dead has burst forth with new life. This is my hope for my son, too.

Life is the miracle that springs from love.

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Love is all around us, and of course it is in the forefront of our minds this week, as we observe the wedding of William and Kate.

There have been many great love stories throughout history, and if you like Shakespeare, they are also usually great tragedies. Personally, I prefer Elizabeth Barrett-Browning.

In the Old Testament, you find love stories sprinkled throughout.
Not so in the New Testament. Why not? Because from the beginning to the end, it is in fact one great love story - the greatest love story ever told.

At first glance, one may see it only as a tragedy, after all, Jesus was crucified, and we are confronted by this picture on Good Friday, which also happened to fall on Earth Day this year.
He came not in royal splendour, even though we know He was of royal blood. He came as a "commoner". He sought neither wealth, position, nor power in the earthly sense. During the temptation, he showed how all these things are simply illusion. He did not come to conquer through a show of force but through healing. He showed that a person could in fact be judged not just by their words but by their acts, and how they live their life. How we choose to live our life is up to us as individuals, and we make that decision every day. If you believe in the 6 degrees of separation theory, then we could all consider ourselves to be of royal blood. Christ's blood was shed for each and every one of us.

This royal wedding was not touted as a fairy tale. It's a true, modern love story. There may be joys and sorrows, trials and tribulations. This union, however, looks like it will have a happy ending. In a similar way, this is how and why we celebrate Easter.
Wishing you every joy and happiness.


Sparky
PS Diana would have been 50 this year, so this picture is in honor of her memory.

Song for those under 30: Price Tag by Jessie J

What's Growing in Your Garden?

About a month ago, we were privileged to listen to a talk by Robert Massoud, founder of Zatoun (please check out their website), a grassroots company dedicated to helping the people of Palestine. This blog springs out of that conversation. A funny thing happened at work this week. I brought in some roses to have on my desk, 'cause some days in gloomy, rainy Vancouver, you just have to do something to perk yourself up. A couple of people actually asked me if they were from my garden. Now, we do like to consider ourselves the California of the North, but trust me, we do not have roses blooming in our gardens this time of year! In fact, our local mountains have been enjoying nothing but snow for the past couple of weeks. Naturally I said no, they are not from my garden. Then I had a thought. In this deeply contemplative time of Passiontide, what if I considered this question more closely? The question then becomes, what am I growing or intend to grow, in my garden? What am I cultivating, hoping to burst forth in bloom at some future point? Will I even be here to see it? What is lurking in my garden that has no business being there? What kind of food and nurturing will it need? Is it something that will need some kind of protection? What will grow well in our particular climate? These are all food for thought. I don't have a place anymore for a real garden, but I think I know just the spot in our church garden for a nice rosebush. And maybe given the microclimate that our manse enjoys, we could try growing a real, live olive tree, just like in Palestine! Sparky

More F Words

There will be a Fundraiser for the Furnace on Palm Sunday, April 17th, at our church. Just in time for Easter, we're calling it Fun with Fondant. If you have been wondering and watching any of the shows about cake decorating lately, you will know this is the latest Fad, so come on out and see what all the Fuss is about. You will be taking home a beautifully decorated cake, as demonstrated by our own budding baker, Steve Johnson. Class size is limited and children are welcome. Watch for our Easter appeal letter for more information. Sparky

Healing

Dear Friends:

I have been racking my brain for the past week on the devastation in Japan and what could be done. Then I finally thought of Dr. Masaru Emoto and his work. He has been busy working on this disaster, too. Check out his website at masaru-emoto.net. He has already posted two articles since Mar.11. It seems to me that he is best qualified to help, and there are several suggestions on his website on ways you can be involved in a meaningful way. March 22 happens to be World Water Day, so let's join together in thought and prayer on that day for the people and land of Japan.

Through water all places in the Earth are connected.

Through the blood of Christ, all people of the Earth are the same.

Arigatogozaimasu

Sparky

The "F" Bomb

Hands up, how many of you watched the Academy Awards Sunday night? Since my daughter started working at a local video store, I'm much more up on movies than I used to be, so I was curious to see how they would go. I admit, being a girl, I love to watch just to see what the women are wearing, and the fact that Colin Firth (one of the best looking 50 year olds on the planet) was there in person, was a bonus!
There was a bit of a stir when one of the award winners dropped the "f" word - you know the one.
For your board of directors, though, it stands for FURNACE. The poor thing has been limping along for some years now, and you know it's bad when your 80 something retired priest is stamping his feet, walking briskly, trying to get the blood flowing before the service, because there is NO HEAT! This happened again this Sunday, apparently, in the middle of a freak snow storm. That's another word we don't like here in Vancouver. So, instead of leaving the church with that warm, fuzzy feeling, people were just glad to get into their warm, heated cars. Susan Locey was left holding a monkey wrench in her hands, and I'm sure certain words were going through her mind, too.
We got the bad news from the plumber this week - our furnace has officially bit the dust, and a new one has had to be installed. So this Sunday, let's hope all is well - and come check out the newest addition to our family.

Warmly,
Sparky

New Year's Resolution

Kung hei fat choy!

Did you know that although our New Year's is already passed, the Chinese New Year is just gearing up? If you live here in Vancouver, it's hard to miss. That means it's not too late for all of you who have procrastinated on setting a resolution for this year, including me. Two events happened recently at our church, though, that have helped me make up my mind. The first was a community meeting discussing questions sent out by international executive committee. The second was a very special baptism.
The whole community comes together to witness and celebrate certain special sacraments, baptism being one of them. It means we will support this child in whatever way we can, through to Confirmation, and beyond. But where are we during the Children's Service? If we don't have children of our own attending, we often give it a miss. What does this say to the parents and the children themselves?
This was one of the points made in our response to the executive - the need to support the Children's Service. Now this service is very special to me. It was one of the things I missed most during the 14 months that we waited for an active priest. The language is simple yet beautiful, or one could even say, beautifully simple, and it speaks to me in a way that the adult service does not. So I have made up my mind this year to come half an hour earlier, and be present for this service whenever possible.
How about you?
Sparky

Bonanza

Hi there:

We had a great meeting this Sunday, discussing the questions sent out by the Executive Committee of the Foundation The Christian Community (international). (These were sent out with the Advent letter.) The atmosphere was most heart-warming and positive. More will be sent out to you later on this.
Since we had to give up our planned 2012 Conference meeting, I thought I would send along this nugget.

Do you remember an old western style tv show by the name of Bonanza? It was very popular, and one my dad used to like to watch. This is also a term one finds with regard to the subject of gold or treasure. What does the word mean? It means a mine or vein rich in ore. A sudden and unexpected source of luck or wealth. This is how I felt last week when I found the 1942 lecture of Rev. Alfred Heidenreich.
In Spanish, bonanza also means good luck, or calm sea. Hmmm, now where have I come across the term, calm sea before? In the Bible of course! There is a very famous pictorial of Jesus calming the sea, while the disciples are out on the water, and then walking out on the water to meet them.
This term still is present in our modern language. To be able to walk on water means someone who can do the impossible, or for whom there is no such thing as "can't be done".
Lord knows I have been swimming in very rough water the past 2 years, but things are finally calming down. In the process, I have learned a little more about putting my trust in God, and that whatever seems impossible or insurmountable to me, is possible with Him. I have had to learn that God's time is not the same as earth time. Also, Heidenreich writes that going through a crisis is actually a growth process. Finally, I hope I have learned to look at other people and situations with new eyes, and with more compassion and understanding.

Calm sailing to all.
Sparky