Out and About - August 2007

.

Above and below: Snapshots of a Minnesotan summer.




Above: Throughout the summer I’ve organized and participated in a number of energizing and productive meetings with the wonderful folks who comprise CPCSM and Catholic Rainbow Parents.

As I think most readers of The Wild Reed know, I’m honored to serve as the executive coordinator of CPCSM. One of my self-appointed tasks is to maintain a photographic record of our work – including the more behind-the-scenes events such as board meetings, “visioning circles,” and various strategizing and event planning meetings.

Pictured in the photograph above are (from left): Beverly Barrett (CPCSM secretary), Mary Lynn Murphy (CPCSM president and Catholic Rainbow Parents coordinator), Paul Fleege (outgoing CPCSM treasurer), Gerry Sell, Susan Kramp, Mary Beckfeld, David McCaffrey (CPCSM co-founder), Rick Notch (incoming CPCSM treasurer), and Paula Ruddy.



Above: The ordination of Roman Catholic Womenpriests in Minneapolis – August 12, 2007.

For more images and a commentary on this historic event, click here.



Above: On Friday, August 17, Roman Catholic theologian and author Fr. Ron Rolheiser (center) was a guest at St. Martin’s Table Bookstore and Restaurant, where he read from a number of his books, including the spiritual classic, The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality. Ron also responded to audience questions and shared his thoughts and insights on a range of issues facing the contemporary Church. He was in the Twin Cities as part of a weekend-long conference at the University of St. Thomas that explored the phenomenon of small Christian communities – in particular their unique gifts and challenges.

For a sample of Ron Rolheiser’s writings, click here.



Above: Standing second from right with members of Corner Stone Old Catholic Church. I was honored to have been invited to join the community for its annual retreat on the shores of Clear Lake, Minnesota, on Sunday, August 19, 2007.

Standing at far left is the Right Reverend James R. Judd, Bishop of Heartland Old Catholic Church, while standing next to me is Rev. Robert Caruso, Pastor of Corner Stone Old Catholic Church in St. Paul.

Recently, I interviewed Robert about the history and spirituality of Old Catholicism. This interview will be posted on The Wild Reed in the first week of September. (9/5/07 UPDATE: This interview can be found here.)



Above: A not so old member of the Old Catholic Church!



Above and below: Some of the young guests of the Families Moving Forward program at Union Congregational Church in St. Louis Park, during the week of August 19-25.

Families Moving Forward (FMF) is an emergency housing program for families in the Twin Cities. It’s a model that uses one facility for the Day Center, and churches for the overnight hosting of homeless families. FMF is a free service – one that as well as providing emergency shelter for homeless families, also offers support and counseling in setting goals, getting jobs, finding affordable housing, locating household furnishings, and developing family budgets.

For more about my experiences with the Families Moving Forward program, click here.





Above and below: Fun at the fair – the Minnesota State Fair, that is! – Saturday, August 25, 2007.

And, yes, as you can see from the photo above, we do have somewhat of a giant rodent problem in Minnesota. But, hey, at least they’re snappy dressers!




Above: Even Canadians are welcome at our State Fair!



Above and below: Celebrating long-time justice and peace activist and organizer Marv Davidov’s 76th birthday – Saturday, August 25, 2007.

In the photo above, Marv is treated to a song in his honor, specially written and performed by three of the McDonald sisters. From left: Rita, Brigid, Marv, and Kate.

My friend Marv was the founder of the Honeywell Project, a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, and a participant in the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride of 2003.

Currently, Marv teaches in the University of St. Thomas’ Justice and Peace Studies Program, heads the Minnesota War Resisters League, and is working on his autobiography.

One of the Minnesota War Resisters League’s current projects is the planning and organizing of a General Strike for Peace for September 21, 2007.




Above: Susu, Marv, and Dee – August 25, 2007.



On Sunday, August 26, the McDonald sisters, along with a number of other Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, organized a fund-raising breakfast at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis for the nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping force known as Nonviolent Peaceforce.

In the photo above, Mel Duncan, executive director of Nonviolent Peaceforce, sits with my friends Kathleen and Pepper.

Nonviolent Peaceforce is a nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping force composed of trained civilians from around the world. In partnership with local groups, Nonviolent Peaceforce members apply proven nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work.



Above and below: Summer blooms.



See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Back in the USA
It Sure Was Cold!
An Energizing and Spirited Weekend
Out and About - April 2007
Out and About - May 2007
Out and About - June 2007
Out and About - July 2007