[Dialogue] Questions about the "Turn to the World"

[Bill Schlesinger]

There was also a conversation when JWM returned from a WCC meeting where
we'd sought recognition as an inter-faith (or interdenominational) religious
order and had not received a positive response.  The leadership began at
that point to look at moving beyond the historical church.  The rather
complete failure of most of the Local Church Experiment to significantly
address the parish function was also evident at that time, and the positive
reception being given to LENS by the business community figured into the
picture.  

 

Bill Schlesinger

Project Vida

3607 Rivera Avenue

El Paso, TX 79905

(915) 533-7057 x 207

(915) 533-7158 FAX

 <mailto:pvida at whc.net> pvida at whc.net

www.projectvidaelpaso.org

  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of R Williams
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 9:35 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Cc: Alan Gammel
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Questions about the "Turn to the World"

 

Thanks, Nancy.  Alan Gammel will be coming to the November meeting from your
neck of the woods.  We'll see if there's a way he can bring the symbol with
him.  It would be a great addition to 4750 and the work on the Archives.



 

The way I remember what you're talking about is that we always saw ourselves
as "servants of the servants" of the world, and the servants we served early
on were the local church.  At some point in time that focus either shifted
or expanded.  One of my questions is, if with "the turn" the local church
came not to be the "servant" we were serving, then who was/is?  I don't
think we ever decided we could do it, i.e., serve/change the world, by
ourselves.  As I recall, and said earlier, even Fifth City was a
demonstration of how a local church could serve its own geographical parish.

 

Very much appreciate your input to this conversation.

 

Randy

From: Nancy Lanphear <nancy at songaia.com>
To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Questions about the "Turn to the World"

Randy, 

My memory is that was we worked with the churches/cadres as our initial path
of "changing the world."  AS that did not sem to happen and we found
ourselves supporting a structure that intensfied the focus inward, we
decided to "become" the change we wanted to see.  Fifth City and the Primal
Communities model encouraged us to move in the direction of being the church
in the world. 

AND, a large, very heavy TURN SYMBOL showed up on our property. I think it
may have come across the country when the student house moved to Washington
State.  We could use it here as garden art OR if someone is coming to the
meeting in November in Chicago, it could travel with them to be placed in
the Kemper building.

Thanks for asking the question.  With love and great memories, 

Nancy

On Thu, Aug 4, 2011 at 3:23 AM, R Williams <rcwmbw at yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

 

In 1972 the Kemper Insurance Co. gave the Ecumenical Institute its 8-story
office building at 4750 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago.  In and around that year
the Institute of Cultural Affairs was incorporated and EI/ICA moved its
headquarters from its "seminary campus" on the west side to its "insurance
building" on north side.  Subsequently we drew a circle around the wedge
blade and announced we were making a "turn to the world."

 

Here are some questions regarding "the turn:"

1.	What was going on in the world and internally with EI/O:E that
precipitated the "Turn to the World?"
2.	How did "the turn" affect our story about who we were and what we
were doing? (For example, what did we understand we were turning to and what
were we turning from?)
3.	What were the strategic and practical implications at that time?
4.	What are the implications today for ICAs around the world?

The primary reason for asking these questions is, the Board of Directors of
ICA-USA, when it meets in Chicago each November, dialogues on the issue of
the long-term strategic direction and approach of the organization.  This
piece of our history could have relevance for that dialogue this November.

 

Please don't be restricted by the questions.  Any remembrances and insights
that you are willing to share will be useful and most appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Randy Williams

Acting Chair, ICA-USA Board of Directors


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