[Oe List ...] Trying Hard To Get Real -- about the ICA

[George Holcombe]

Thanks Marilyn and David, perhaps this is a start.  I'm wondering if  
we need to look at Canadian and Australian models and what some  
movemental groups are doing with the internet for new forms.  There  
appears to be lots of energy in this bunch.  What does the shape of  
OE need to be now?  What have we learned and what is The Mission for  
us all?

George Holcombe
14900 Yellowleaf Tr.
Austin, TX 78728
Home: 512/252-2756
Mobile 512/294-5952
geowanda at earthlink.net


On Jan 14, 2007, at 5:49 PM, Marilyn R Crocker wrote:

> Dear David,
>
> Thank you so very much for your thoughtful and passionate comments
> entitled "The Challenge of Intentional Community."  I think you
> articulate the pain and concern of many, like Joe and me, who have sat
> for months, knowing of the impromptu shedding of longtime ICA staff  
> --our
> Order Ecumenical colleagues-- and then who stewed, prayed,  
> agonized, and
> remained in stunned silence.
>
> Your letter is a clarion call that we, as OE, need to have a  
> conversation
> borne out of faith, hope and love.  Since the 1988 forced  
> "Diaspora" so
> many of us, in our various secular employments, have experienced the
> reality of being "riffed" and know it usually to be a demeaning,
> dehumanizing, humiliating, horrendous journey.  We stand in your  
> shoes.
>
> As much as our vicarious agony over the devastating loss  
> experienced by
> beloved OE colleagues like you, Jim Weigel and others, we mourn what
> seems to be the apparent erosion of an organizational self- 
> understanding
> that many believed would forever stand "over-against" (as JWM would  
> say)
> that which compromises humanness, both with respect to internal
> operations as well as external programmatic mission.
>
> Your 4 point reflection, including context, is provocative.  I want  
> some
> time to process it more thoughtfully and then to respond.  But before
> another day passes, I want to say "thank you" for being you!
>
> Grace, peace and love,
>
> Marilyn

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