Dear All - and especially Vicki,
                                                    My archaic term,
'brethren', was meant to be inclusive - and by the way, I'm always known
just as Bruce

Sorry again, sisters and brothers!

Bruce.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vicki L. Hollon <[log in to unmask]>
To: SHH Discussion: <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 13 February 1999 14:03
Subject: An INTRO from Vicki Hollon


>Friends/Colleagues/Partners in this new venture,
>    It is 8:00 a.m. in Louisville, KY, and I (Vicki Hollon) am
>both excited and intimidated by this opportunity.  In my Clinical
>Pastoral Education of almost 3 years I learned I was frequently
>placed in a diverse  group to serve as one of the "lightning
>rods." I loved my ministry as a hospital chaplain though also
>wanted to be in a place where I would exercise some other
>passions related to education, etc. I now direct the Wayne Oates
>Institute here in Louisville.  I consider myself one of Dr.
>Oates'  "granddaughters," partially because  he calls me one of
>his "two pastors" while blessing me at the same time and
>partially because I keep learning from him and he blesses me at
>the same time.
>  Dr. Gardner, I may not be one of the "least of the brethern"
>however I am one of the sisters in a very small boat as an
>ordained Southern Baptist woman. After supporting my husband thru
>his Ph.D. it did not feel very practical to do my own Ph.D. (And
>I do like Practical Theology.)   However, I fear it is becomming
>more "practical" that I move my credentials beyond a Mater of
>Divinity. We will see.
>  I am hearing a thread of interest in "New Age"as it pertains to
>understanding spirituality and this is also an interest of mine.
>I began to learn this summer while living in Maastricht, Holland
>for 6 weeks that the words "New Age" do not stir the same
>response there that I have seen and heard in the United States.
>My Christian friend in Holland used the words in a very natural
>and accepting way so I asked him more about this.  I think many
>evangelical Christians have polarized the concept out of concern
>or fear that crystals would replace Jesus Christ, for instance.
>Anyway, I am sure there is more we could learn from each other on
>this subject.
>  My last bit of introduction is in response to John Drane's
>sharing which I so appreciated. I do treasure my daughter
>(20yrs.) and my sons ages 16 and 10.  It is such a tremendous
>spiritual discipline of letting them go inch by inch and a
>tremendous sadness. I can't even imagine the fullness of "letting
>go."    Dr. Myron Madden wrote a poem after his 1st wife's death
>entitled "Letting Go" and it does challenge me. I will share one
>line for now: "...when we can not have what we want from another
>because of what we want for another."
>  Blessings to each of you until next time.  Vicki
>
>



%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%