Overwhelmed by love

I went for a long walk with a friend yesterday. When we got back to the parking lot, she handed me a gift.  It's not my birthday, so why a gift?!?  I opened it and a collection of cards poured out, one embossed with a friend's name...a far away friend this friend does not know. I was confused, and she was smiling wide. Two big envelopes were wrapped in tissue. I opened the first and saw these words:

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are the recipient of an almost all expense paid trip to Kentucky to participate in

the CiRCE INSTITUTE Conference

The Contemplation of Creation

July 18-21, 2012

CiRCE Conference 2012

I cried.  And cried.  And cried.

A group of friends have given me this gift...just because.  I am overwhelmed by their thoughfulness and their generosity.  OVERWHELMED.

I have been in a state of shock ever since.  I am going to CiRCE...I am going to hear Wendell Berry speak...I will meet the ClassEd ladies...I am going to CiRCE...I get to travel with my walking partner.  I AM GOING TO CiRCE.

I am walking around with a dazed look on my face.  If surprise was the goal, I could not be more shocked.  Thank you, dear friends.  I cannot wait for July!



** Added later:  Second envelope had confirmation of my flight to Kentucky.  Sorry to keep you hanging, Alison.

CiRCE

Every year I go through mental and fiscal gymnastics to see if I can go to the annual CiRCE conference. Every year there is a roadblock; sometimes it's time, sometimes it's money, often it's family needs. This year there was EVERY roadblock possible. It was very obvious I was NOT supposed to attend, even though the topic is one I have been wrestling with deeply for the last three years: What is Man? A Contemplation of the Divine Image.

At least now I can listen to some of the talks.  Want to join me?  You can find the talks online, some free and some for cost:

CiRCE free audio library

2011 CiRCE Conference talks for purchase

A special note:  One of the reasons I was so sorry to miss this year's conference is that my dear friend Marcia Brim (from Brimwood Press) spoke on narrative theology, specifically the Genesis 1-3 text.  We've had conversations on this topic at our annual lunches for the last few years; I would have LOVED to be there to participate in the discussion that was birthed from her talk.  I highly recommend you listen to Teaching Theology through Story.  It can be found in that second link, just scroll down to the end of the list.

I am already looking ahead to 2012...maybe this time the road will be clear. 

Thinking about

The Incarnation of Christ and Its Implications for Teaching

James Daniels.

CiRCE Conference 2009: A Contemplation of Nature.

Much to think about.

Andrew Kern

A Pace to Live By

At the human pace
You and I can act and rest,
labour and loaf,
strive and relax.

We can learn
to read,
to work,
to produce,
to grow,
at the human pace

At the human pace
we overcome
anxiety

At the human pace
We hear ancestral voices
calling from afar

When we hear
At the human pace
we hear past reverberating echoes
in our caves

We are still
So the self-reflecting words
are still
And world-creating words
can speak

In the stillness

By Andrew Kern
Used by permission

CiRCE for the rest of us

Every year I dream and scheme about getting to the CiRCE Conference. The money is never there, the time is always elusive, and I remain a wannabe.

And so I content myself with my newly arrived set of 2009 Conference CDs.

The binder of inspiration arrived at the perfect time, as I am heading to this destination on Friday, eager to see my girl. Many hours there, many hours back, and I have thirty sessions from which to choose. That will help speed the hours along as we hurry to see her, and I am confident it will provide distraction, if not comfort, for the drive home.

This and that

ESSAY CONTEST: George Washington's leadership and legacy remain an important part of American identity. ISI is committed to keeping the vital lessons of the American Founding alive for the rising generation through this prestigious essay contest on "George Washington and the Future of the American Presidency."

Deadline to register is November 28, 2008. Essay deadline is January 23, 2009.
For more information, go to the ISI website.

CiRCE Institute's Annual Conference CD Set:

A Contemplation of Humour

I've only listened to Anthony Esolen's session on humour. He uses three examples: The Honeymooners, St. Francis of Assisi and Nick Bottom from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream. Quite a combination, isn't it? But that CD alone is worth the cost of the set (FYI: this is wrongly listed as What is Classical Education? The individual CD code is CD200803.)

For the last fifteen years I've been grateful to Mars Hill Audio Journal for keeping my mind expanding while my responsibilities were here at home; now I get to add the CIRCE conference CDs to that thank-you list. Between time in the car and time in the kitchen, these will get good use.