People of Prayer: Word Shop Newsletter May 2006

"Because we are broken and lost," Stephanie answered.

Ten minutes of gathering and settling, a half-hour of concentrated prayer and afterwards we sometimes lingered for several hours discussing the knotty issues that plague our lives, our churches and communities. The gift of fellowship was a surprise grace; each of us holding such different perspectives, yet finding ourselves held gently together in an atmosphere of light and love.

"Why are we stopping at Pentecost?" Nick asked week after week.

Because a different kind of prayer is waiting in the wings for this summer.

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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was my best read all month. Neither well organized or comprehensive, the book nonetheless gives a delightful look into a man, a time, and the early tenor of our country. I already used part of the book for a Toastmaster's bit: Benjamin founded a very similar type of group that met weekly for nearly 40 years. LIFE RULES at 1:30 on the first Friday of the month is going to get another selection: Ben's extensive plan for personal development. (It obviously worked for him!) I already sold the little 1948 paperback, but a variety of new editions are available for $10 and up. Also, Ben and Me by Robert Lawson is a good children's introduction to this astonishing man. $7

POETRY: I read every poem in Sinners Welcome by Mary Karr. Admittedly after the first four, I jumped to the back of the book to read her essay on poetry and prayer. Then I diligently read one or two poems a day until I got to the finish line. Generally I don't advise finishing a book you're not enjoying. Life isn't an English class. There's too much good stuff out there to waste time on what's not connecting. But I keep trying to develop a taste in poetry. Trying unsuccessfully, I might add. Yeah, there were a couple great lines. At least one or two moments of resonance. But on the whole I kept wondering why it needed to get so dark to see the light. $22 new; or you can have this copy for $12.

I did order another copy of Finding What You Didn't Lose by John Fox. I sold this inner workbook on exploring truth and creativity through poem-making before I'd finished it. Why is writing poetry more fun than reading it?

"For what is a poem but a hazardous attempt at self-understanding: it is the deepest part of autobiography." -Robert Penn Warren, novelist and poet (1905-1989)

At the Toastmasters' Spring Conference, Judge Sharon Chatman received the Communication and Leadership Award for founding Building Peaceful Families, an organization dedicated to helping families develop and maintain violence free homes. Included are programs honoring Grandmothers raising children, Top Dads awards, a Fatherhood Conference that targets men on probation or parole, and educational programs for teachers, childcare providers and religious leaders. Isn't it nice to know smart people are at work doing good things for our communities? See www.buildingpeacefulfamilies.org

I finally have Hell's Abyss Heaven's Grace in hand. This new book by one-time local preacher, Lawrence Hart, is a look at war and Christian spirituality. I've only just started, but the premise seems to be that war and peace are manifestations of our inner realities. The "just war" theory is held up against the historical record of Christians who have chosen nonviolence to resist oppression. The back cover claims there are real possibilities for peace when we bear well our weapons of truth, courage, and faith. $14.95 new.

"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it." --Dwight D. Eisenhower

Meanwhile, I'm plotting our summer class: Give yourself a swatch of time to write, draw, paint, think. Words Made Flesh is for people who want to open creative doors and embark on a spiritual adventure. Practice and experiment in a supportive atmosphere. We will gather weekly around bits of John's Gospel, spend some time working alone and then share the our work. Two three-week sessions June 13 - 27 and July 25 - August 8. Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00. The class is limited to 12 participants so let me know if you are interested. $20

"For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me."--Jack Dann

"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" --Lewis Carroll

Blessings,
Alliee +

PS Big Sur Camping and Crawdad Society is the weekend after the 4th of July. Come frolic in the river, eat som'mores, sing with sticky lips round the campfire, tromp through the gorge and/or chase the sun/shade through the trees with book and chair. Email me for more info.