[Oe List ...] Our Legacy: Next Steps?

Tue Dec 21 20:06:04 CST 2010

Thanks Ken, for your kind words along with the illustrations that make it
real.

For you who do not know Ken Gillgren well, he was one of the faithful
visitors over the 3+ years with Fred before his death.  He came every Friday
morning and gave me time to regularly do the community shopping with my
friend and neighbor, Marilyn. When Ken first began coming, he and Fred would
talk and have tea.  As Fred became more limited, Ken's skills grew.  He fed
Fred his breakfast, would dive for the glass of water, straw and cough drops
when Fred would get the infamous tickle in his throat.  Finally Ken would
help Fred with the cough assist machine as he (Fred) was more unable to
cough on is own.  Ken is a dear friend and colleague in the communities
movement here in Seattle.

Nancy

2010/12/21 Kenneth <kgillgren at igc.org>

>  Nancy, I've got to add an additional snippit to your list as one of those
> ripples of energy we often don't see.
>
> As you know, over the years I've had a series of conversations with Edith
> Kusnic (a long-time supporter and leader of the Rites of Passage
> program--with no other affiliation to ICA/IE) and have been consistently
> rocked by how much she absorbed about "the Order" through her conversations
> with Fred. The question of legacy came up after Fred's passing, and Edith
> said there was no question but that the practical embodiment of intentional
> community in Songaia and the Rites of Passage program were clearly two
> profound legacies of the Order (brought into being by you, Stan and Fred).
> Rites, rituals--of course, singing--and the various tools for journey
> reflection and guiding were all vital components of those two legacies. And
> over recent years, the extension of rites, rituals and journey tools into
> the role of elderhood as another expression of intentional community.
>
> And symbols...I don't know if I'm ever going to figure out how to capture
> some of the conversations I had with Fred in the presence of the Congolese
> Iron Cross (yup, the kind that anchored every Religious House), and the full
> size Turn Symbol and Marshall Island "stick chart" that all somehow found
> new homes and energy under your care.
>
> Anyway, it's always surprising to hear reflections from folks who are
> several degrees separated from EI/ICA/OE, like Edith.
>
> With renewed gratitude for one and all!
>
> Ken Gillgren
> Gillgren Communication Services, Inc.
> *Cultivating Civic Imagination and Engagement
> *1140 N. 192nd St., B226, Shoreline, WA 98133
> (206) 755-9578
> ken at gillgrencommunication.com
> Skype: ken.gillgren
> Web site: http://www.gillgrencommunication.com
> Blog: http://patterns.gillgrencommunication.com/
> Global Village Telegraph on FaceBook:
> http://www.facebook.com/GlobalVillageTelegraph
> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kengillgren
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] *On
> Behalf Of *Nancy Lanphear
> *Sent:* Sunday, December 19, 2010 7:52 AM
> *To:* Order Ecumenical Community
> *Subject:* Re: [Oe List ...] Our Legacy: Next Steps?
>
> Dear Ones,
>
> In the fog and wonder over the past couple of years of Fred's life, I
> thought I had sent in my reflections on the Legacy question.  I guess I had
> voiced them to our small Lunch Bunch when Gordon was thinking about raising
> this question.  However, I do have thoughts to share for the record.
>
> I can speak for both Fred and myself when I write my reflection as we had
> the conversation many times in our years together, even just recently before
> Fred's death.  Although living together in community was not a primary
> intent as an Order, but a strategy; for us it became a major piece of the
> Legacy.  Knowing the challenges and the learnings that have come from living
> in community for nearly 40 years, we understand that imagining a world at
> peace can only come from the discoveries of being community.  Residential
> community adds a few more layers of daily encounter with the OTHER than in
> other forms of community. We could not imagine living any other way.  With
> Fred's illness and need for intense support, we realized anew that "it takes
> a community to raise and care for their elders".
>
> Most of you are aware that we, along with Stan and Carol Crow and other
> friends, envisioned, designed and developed a multi-generational,
> intentional cohousing community called Songaia, built in 2000.  The
> development process took 10 years, and we are now celebrating the 10 years
> of living together as a lively and spirit-filled community. A true legacy of
> the Order.
>
> Another significant piece of the Legacy was the use of mantras within the
> larger context of, "The Way LIFE Is".  My neighbor, suffering with
> depression and anger, asked a few years ago, "how is it that you can be
> happy?" My immediate response was ,"Life is good".  I realized the power of
> symbol, story and song - hearing over and over again in so many forms, that
> "Life is Good!"
>
> Legacy:
>
> 1) living in intentional community
>
> 2) story, song and symbol - ways of rehearing the way life is
>
> 3) accountability and absolution -
>
> 4)  attachment and detachment - learning the process of taking in and
> letting go.
>
> Thank you for beginning and continuing this conversation.  It is one of the
> many that have called forth my memories and gratitude for our lives together
> as the Order:Ecumenical.  I am grateful for each of you as part of my Spirit
> Community.
>
> Nancy
>
>
>
>
>  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>snip snip snip<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>
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>
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