[Dialogue] No Subject

Mon Nov 28 22:46:25 EST 2005

Dear Friends and Students of Creation Spirituality,

Greetings!  I hope you are all doing okay in these turbulent times: that your 
years in learning and living Creation Spirituality are supporting you through 
it all; and that you are busy inspiring others by your work.  I myself, 
coming up to my 65th birthday, am making some decisions I want to share with you, 
and I want to invite you to consider joining us in some fresh directions that 
the creation spirituality movement is undertaking. 

First, exciting new work of Creation Spirituality that I feel called to at 
this time.  What is that new work of which I speak?  First, the idea came from 
several sources.  One was my work with 175 Wisconsin and Illinois Lutheran 
clergy and their bishop a month ago.  I challenged them to get on board with the 
"New Reformation" since that was after all Luther's charism 500 years ago--and 
they responded.  I heard from the organizer this week who told me that the 
three days and four lectures together changed the whole diocesan mood from 
flirting with the fundamentalists to realizing the importance of their own prophetic 
tradition.  It also banished acedia and has them moving again.

A few weeks ago I spoke to 2000 progressive Catholics at Call to Action in 
Milwaukee around the same subject, and to 400 members of Unity Church in Madison 
and to 400 people in Sacramento this week, where I got a standing ovation 
that went on for ten minutes after nailing the theses inside the spnsoring 
Presbyterian church door there.  I am sensing that the mainline churches are ready 
to wake up and get up--that is what my call to A New Reformation is all about.  
"Where is the PROTEST in Protestantism?" I ask.  And they get it!  And we 
need PROTEST in Roman Catholicism too, that is for sure!

I feel I should devote myself to that movement as people are responding very 
strongly.  I am urging folks to make Pentecost Sunday, 2006, a day when we ALL 
nail theses on all church doors in our cities, bringing the media with us.  
It is time to fight fire with fire, i.e. fundamentalists with religion in the 
form of a New Reformation and creation spirituality.  The main line churches 
can and should WAKE UP.  My book, A New Reformation, which is self-published and 
available from FCS now, will be available from Inner Traditions press about 
March with a new chapter added.  They are expected to push it strongly at that 
time.  (You can go to www.matthewfox.org for this and more and you can order 
the book through FCS.)

A third source of my new direction came when I was lecturing on the 12th and 
21st century Renaissance to Lauren Artress' Labyrinth project group at 
Chartres Cathedral near Paris October.  There I was reminded that that special place 
provided a vessel for the 12th century renaissance of new ideas and artists, 
and new art in its day that woke up an entire civilizataion by bringing the 
goddess alive again.  We need a renaissance for the 21st century.

While at Chartres I had a long sit down with one of our many sharp D Min 
students.  She told me: "It is time for Creation Spirituality churches (or better, 
'communities.')."  I think she is right.  I want to see the ballroom in 
Oakland be a kind of "cathedra" or mother church to encourage and form a model for 
the rest of you in the fields to deconstruct church and reconstruct it at the 
grass roots level.  The Cosmic Mass is a part of that change but so is the 
rest of the teachings of Creation Spirituality.  

I could envision spiritual  community centers where in one month lively 
ritual might include 1) a Cosmic Mass 2) A contemplative, Taize/Buddhist Mass 3) an 
interfaith service and 4) a black service, etc. etc.  I see deconstructing 
"Sunday School" so that the young learn 1) the new cosmology and 2) Creation 
Spirituality and 3) Howard Thurman (or Hildegard or Eckhart) and put these into 
rap and video and poetry maybe after school hours.  I can see adult programs 
modeled after UCS pedagogy but, because it would not be academic as such, 
offered to broader and broader audiences at a more modest cost than academia can 
afford.  I can see myself teaching in such a setting.  

Much can be done in this need to deconstruct and reconstruct church/spiritual 
communities.  It may mean starting your own group; or it may mean 
invigorating traditions and churches you already are a part of.  It may mean getting 
ordained through the CS tradition.

I would like to have a UCS Reunion this Spring in Oakland and we will keep 
you posted about it as we work on the details.  This Reunion would be to 1) 
socialize and re-meet each other and learn some of the great work you are doing 
and 2) brainstorm about "What the most Important Elements of a Creation-Centered 
Church/Spiritual Community ought to be."  In addition we could consider 
talent for leadership in the Oakland community (we would need a pastor or 
co-pastors for this centre).  Then we at the Oakland Cathedra could get moving on 
implementing such ideas derived from the group experience, even as you do the same 
back home.  We are putting together a steering committee to help with the 
identity of this project at its outset.

If you want to stay connected, especially if you are a Naropa grad because I 
only have one-time use of this mailing list, please indicate in e-mail form so 
we can keep you posted on events (or snail mail if that is all you have).  We 
will try to put out a monthly newsletter on CS activities.

I see this as being the next stage of the Creation Spirituality movement and 
revolution/renaissance.  We have been reinventing education, worship and work; 
now on to reinventing churches too.  The third millennium, with all its 
challenges, requires this.  The ridiculous situation where mainline churches are 
split over the homosexual non-issue (a non-issue because science has taught us 
how natural homosexuality is for homosexuals just as it once taught us via 
Galileo about the real relationship of the earth and the sun) is taking energy 
from the real moral issues of our day such as Global Warming, starvation, 
eco-destruction, the gap between haves and have-nots, etc.  Some churches need some 
divorces at this time in history; they have chosen homosexuality as the 
lightning rod issue--it is not our first choice.  But that being what it is, let us 
divorce and get on with deeper agendas.

As part of my birthday present to myself, I will be leaving administration 
and the board of Wisdom University, previously knows as UCS, after all these 
years.  I realize that in the few active years I have remaining I want to devote 
myself to the continued training in creation spirituality that has enriched so 
many lives.  After working seven day weeks with Wisdom University's new 
leadership for the past ten months, I feel I must take some of the benefits that 
accrue to an ex president and quit adminstration.  I wish the new administraion 
and their noble goals well, and I hope they stick to their promise to keep 
creation spirituality at the core of WU.  But in my limited and remaining active 
years, I need to focus on what is dear to my heart and passions and has been 
for thirty-five years: That is bringing the Creation Spirituality tradition 
alive and culturally active

I want to ask your participation with FCS and its vision.  First I ask you to 
consider sponsoring me for talks in your area (I will be more available for 
talks now that I am out of administration).  You can contact my administrator, 
Dennis Edwards at 510 835 0655 or 33dennis at sbcglobal.net and he can coach you 
on how to sponsor a lecture or workshop by me and make it a financial win/win 
for your organization and FCS.  These days I am especially keen on lecturing 
on "The New Reformation" and on "Reinventing Education" and on "Ecology and 
Spirituality" as well as other subjects including fresh ones you and your 
organization propose.  I will include a list of my topics below.

Secondly, if you who feel blessed and hopeful from your work with Creation 
Spirituality, and would like to support the important work I am sharing with you 
in this letter, please feel free to make your important contribution to 
Friends of Creation Spirituality; every donation makes a difference! Your 
contribution will help us tremendously in continuing our on-going work. Your 
contributions are a tax-free gift to FCS (Friends of Creation Spirituality, a non-profit 
since 1984).  

Thirdly, you can see below how we have been working hard this season to 
procure new and exciting resources--tapes and CDs and DVDs.  Feel free to buy these 
for your use or others'.  Please get the word out.  Among the items is the 
marvelous 15 minute film done by Canadian Broadcasting Company about the Cosmic 
Mass (800,000 people saw it across Canada).  In addition, we are currently 
filming my ten week class at Stanford which is an Introduction to Creation 
Spirituality.  Also, we hope to make a 12 minute film on The New Reformation which 
will include footage from German tv at the Wittenburg event.  All this takes 
some up front financing as you can imagine; hence this call for support.

Being freed from academic administrative duties, for the first time in years, 
I will also be able to write more.  Books I am currently writing are 
Reinventing Education;  A Primer/workbook in  Creation  Spirituality;  What Would a 
Mature Christianity Look Like?;  Dark Nights" (of Soul and Society);  The 12th 
Century Renaissance and the 21st Century Renaissance.  Plenty of work for an 
old guy! 

One more note.  We are again sponsoring an Intensive on how to put on Cosmic 
Masses.  The Cosmic Mass Intensive was such a huge success last year, 
attracting people from all over North America.  The dates are March 16-20; the place 
is Oakland.  Look to www.thecosmicmass.org for more information.  Also, With 
the help of a wonderful Naropa/Oakland graduate, Maureen Jack LaCroix of 
Vancouver, we are planning an Earth Revival North American tour of the Cosmic Mass 
next year (2007).  We would hit about 15 cities in Canada and the U.S. with the 
intention of reaching 6-8000 person in each city.  One more reason to have 
Creation Spirituality programs and communities up, running and ready to serve by 
teaching and by lively ritual since fall-out from this would require 
structures to hold and advance the energy raised.

Are you with me?  I hope so!  If you can contribute to our ongoing work by 
booking talks or by offering cash gifts or by volunteering your time and talent, 
we would be most grateful.  

 To the Spirit,
Matthew Fox

Friends of Creation Spirituality

287 17th St.

Suite 400

Oakland, CA 94612

510 835 0655

I. List of  Talks by Matthew Fox:

1. What Would a Mature Christianity Look Like?

2. Time For A New Reformation!

3. Reinventing Education: The AWE Project

4. Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet

5. Science, Mysticism and Spirituality

6. How to navigate the Dark Night of the Soul and the Dark Night of our Sp
ecies

7. Interfaith, Deep Ecumenism and the Future of our Species

8. Ecology, Spirituality and Religion

9. Religion and the Rise of Fascism

10. The Green Man and Our Search for the Sacred Masculine

11. The Return of the Divine Feminine

12. Reinventing Worship and Resurrecting Community in our Post-Modern Times

II. List of Resources Available from FCS: 

CD’S--DVD’S--AUDIO CASSETTES--BY MATTHEW FOX

(check our web-site www.MatthewFox.org for new updates weekly)

A CHRISTIANITY FOR THE 21st CENTURY

(DVD) $35.00  2 dvd set, a lecture by Matthew Fox followed by a Q&A dialogue

BEYOND EMPIRE--THE NEXT STEP TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

(CD) $25.00  2 cd set, a lecture in dialogue format with Matthew Fox and 
David Korten on economics and spirituality, followed by Q&A

ONE RIVER, MANY WELLS  

(DVD) $18.00  1 dvd, a lecture by Matthew Fox based on his book by the same 
title

CONNECTING CHAOS TO COMPASSION

(CD) $25.00  2 cd set, Matthew Fox discusses: what do our wisdom traditions 
of the world teach us about this movement through chaos to effective compassion?

FROM TRIBALISM TO COMMUNITY

(DVD) $18.00  1 dvd, a one hour lecture by Matthew Fox, followed by a one 
hour lecture by Frances Moore Lappe as presented at EarthSpirit Rising 2005 
conference on ecology, spirituality, and community 

THE COSMIC MASS       SUGGESTED DONATION $20.00   DVD 15 minute documentary

RADICAL PRAYER (CD) $69.95 OR (CASSETTE) $59.95

6 cd or 6 audio cassette set 7.5 hours

a curriculum on using the power of prayer to change our world, this 
compelling 6-session course covers: what prayer is, and why it works; recovering the 
sacred masculine and feminine; exploring the “dark night of the soul”; “deep 
ecumenism”—lessons from history’s great mystics in every tradition, and more

HILDEGARD VON BINGEN IN PORTRAIT   DVD) $29.99  2 dvd set 4 hours 10 min

Hildegard (1098-1179) produced major works of theology, music and visionary 
writings. She used the curative powers of music and natural objects for 
healing, this dvd includes interviews with Matthew Fox, documentaries, musical reco
rdings, and opera

EXPLORING THE COSMIC CHRIST ARCHETYPE (CASSETTE) $15.95

2 cassette set, for anyone in search of a meaningful, everyday spirituality, 
this live session integrates all of the great spiritual traditions

SPIRITUALITY AND WORK                                                         
       5 audio cassette $35.00           

COMPASSION AND THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR                              1 audio 
cassette $10.00

SINS OF THE SPIRIT, BLESSINGS OF THE FLESH                         1 audio 
cassette $10.00

ART AND SPIRITUALITY                                                          
          1 audio cassette $10.00

RENEWING RITUAL: THE GREAT WORK OF OUR TIME                1 audio cassette 
$10.00

THE QUEST FOR THE COSMIC CHRIST                                           1 
audio cassette $10.00

PSYCHOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY: THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE  1 audio cassette $10.00

EXPLORING THE COSMIC CHRIST ARCHETYPE                            1 audio 
cassette $10.00

Orders: 510-835-0655, 33dennis at sbcglobal.net, www.MatthewFox.org

Matthew Fox Book List

A New Reformation!   2005     $12

 Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet    2002.  Hardback $22   
Paperback $14 

Prayer: A Radical Response to Life 

2001,   (Originally published, 1972, as On Becoming a Musical, Mystical Bear) 
 $14

One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing From Global Faiths

2000.  Hardback $30   Paperback $17

Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Lessons for Transforming Evil in 
Soul and Society

1999.  $16

The Physics of Angels – with biologist Rupert Sheldrake                       
    1996. $17

Natural Grace – with biologist Rupert Sheldrake    1996. Hardback $22   
Paperback $15

Passion for Creation, The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart 2000 
(formerly Breakthrough, 1980).  $25

Wrestling With the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life

2003, 1995.   $16

The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time              
    1995.  $16

Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality 2003, 
1992.   $18

Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth          
             1991.  $16

The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and The Birth of 
a Global Renaissance       1988.  $17

Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen                                          
      2002, 1985 .  $16

Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality                       
2000, 1983.   $16

Meditations with Meister Eckhart                                              
     1982.  $12 A Spirituality Named Compassion                               
                     1979, 1990, 1999.   $15

Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denomination Priest              1996.  $14 
 (Priced as used)

Hildegard of Bingen’s Book of Divine Works, Songs & Letters    1987.  $18

Whee! We, Wee All the Way Home: A Guide to Sensual, Prophetic Spirituality 
1981. $14

Orders: 510-835-0655, 33dennis at sbcglobal.net, www.MatthewFox.org