Poetry for Ordinary Time - with Parker J. Palmer

This week, sharing here something written by author, speaker, thinker and teacher, Parker J. Palmer, and shared on his Facebook page:

Photograph taken near
Mirror, Alberta

The Winter Woods

The winter woods beside a solemn

river are twice seen --

once as they pierce the brittle air,

once as they dance in grace beneath the stream.

In air these trees stand rough and raw,

branch angular in stark design,

disconnect as in a dream,

shadowy but more alive

than what stands stiff and cold before our eyes.

Our eyes at peace are solemn streams

and twice the world itself is seen --

once as it is outside our heads,

once as it undulates and shines

beneath the silent waters of our minds.

When rivers churn or cloud with ice

the world is not seen twice -- 

yet still is there beneath

the blinded surface of the stream,

livelier and lovelier than we can comprehend

and waiting, always waiting, to be seen.

In his preamble to the poem, Mr. Palmer states, "It's so easy to look but not see."  In the same way, it is easy to listen but not truly hear.  This is why time spent in Generous Listening -- such as we practiced here last year, and as will be taught and practiced in an up-coming workshop in Calgary (January 20 and 21) -- is so very important.  Workshop registration closed Wednesday, but if you still want to go, contact ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca or call (587) 320-1343.  If you are meant to be there, God will make a way.  :-)

Generous Listening

From the January 3, 2017 edition of the DCNS Coordinator newsletter:

Generous Listening: A Same-sex Blessing/Same-sex Marriage Learning Event 

In the ongoing process of Generous Listening, the next event will be a Learning Event, with two scholars, Dr. Stephen Andrews and Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat representing differing views, presenting their positions covering scripture and hermeneutics in a non-adversarial, collegial dialogue.  The focus will be to listen, learn, and understand.  At the end of this weekend event, the speakers will provide reading materials that participants will be expected to engage with, in preparation for a following conversation later in the spring [See dates below]. 

Clergy and lay congregational representatives will be asked to attend, but any others who wish to come and listen are welcome.  Those attending are asked to commit to attending future meetings for the follow-up conversation.  Friday, January 20, 2017 - gathering at 6:30 pm, start at 7:00, ending at 9:00.  Saturday, January 21 - gathering at 8:30 am, start at 9:00, ending at 3:30.  Holy Cross Anglican Church, 2828 19^th Street NW, Calgary.   

 All attending must register by January 12, at ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca or call (587) 320-1343.

Please note: the start times for Saturday's schedule have changed - the new times are as noted above.  

Future dates:

• Follow-up conversation on March 11;
• "Tradition and Reason" presentation on May 5 & 6;
• Follow-up from May event on June 10;
• "This Holy Estate" presentation on September 22 & 23.