[Oe List ...] Sad, shocked and hopeful

[MJDOVE at aol.com]

Reflections from Mark and Jenelle Dove:

As one whose life and ministry has been indelibly marked by the intellectual 
and spirit content, the passionate commitment to caring, and the collegial 
relationships with countless numbers of remarkable human beings willing to walk 
courageously over the abyss, I was deeply saddened, shocked and also hopeful as 
I reflected on the decision made by the ICA/EI-USA Board.  

I am confident that the dislocation and anguish connected with the decisions 
made by the Board are felt by everyone involved, including the Board.  I am 
also certain that the recovery made by the individuals affected will be uneven 
and unfair.

I was saddened by the irony of the Boards decision happening on the 30th 
anniversary of Brother Joe's death.  I was shocked that an organization so focused 
on kindling life has not been able to find the financial resources to 
continue its mission.  I remember being pulled out of Academy to make development 
calls with Jack Berringer for "222" when our goal was $222,000.00 to get 
ourselves back in the black.  I thought we would always be able to find the financial 
resources!

I am hopeful about the future.  Jenelle and I were both experiencing despair 
over the fact that what we had helped to create at Linworth United Methodist 
Church before we retired was being dismantled--most of the external mission had 
been discontinued and all of Jenelle's teaching models based on Imaginal 
Education which she left at the church were being sold at the church's "Garage 
Sale".  About a month later we received a copy of a sermon preached by Jenelle's 
sister's Unitarian-Universalist pastor in southern California.  In that sermon 
was the statement, "The victory is in the doing!".  I truly believe that the 
victory of the ICA/EI is in what has been done.  There are thousands of 
persons around this planet who are embodying the understandings hammered out on the 
westside of Chicago. The intensification of knowing and doing is and will 
continue to be because ICA/EI has been.  It is my conviction that what we have 
been part of has been judged to be VERY GOOD and a gift to ourselves and all of 
creation.  Grace and peace!  Mark
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