[Oe List ...] Questions about the "Turn to the World"

[Susan Fertig]

Isn't that right about the time the EI was investigated by the FBI because
we were alleged to be a communist front or something?  And there was an
article about it in Readers Digest.  I remember one of the parishioners at
our church in Caracas getting up and reading from the magazine and carrying
on about it, because Bruce and Marci Bunker (he was the pastor of the
church) had set up a cadre and were clandestinely operating a religious
house.

 

Susan

 

From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf
Of R Williams
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 6:24 AM
To: Order Ecumenical Community; Colleague Dialogue
Subject: [Oe List ...] Questions about the "Turn to the World"

 

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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