| Previous Message | Return to Archive 2005 | Next Message |
Archive Number 4261 | ||
|
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 16:23:06 -0600
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v619.2) Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Fran asked that I forward this to the list. She is having computer=20 glitches. Begin forwarded message: > From: Fran Stallings > Date: February 1, 2005 11:39:10 AM CST > To: Pam McGrath > Subject: Re: A story for children at risk > > Pam, > I tried sending a reply (below) to the Healing Stories listserve but=20= > it insists I no longer have a valid account. If you think the post=20 > would be of interest there, please fwd. > > thanks, > Fran > > ## > To: storytell@lists.twu.edu, healingstory@maelstrom.stjohns.edu,=20 > Klprecious@aol.com > From: Fran Stallings > Subject: Re: A story for children at risk > Cc: > Bcc: > X-Attachments: > > Karen Chase wrote > > It occurred to me that those of you who work with older children at=20 > risk > might be interested as well. I think it has the potential to be a=20 > very powerful > story in the right situation. > > Click here: Gifts of the Indians:=A0 11/5/00 > http://www.revjm.com/Gifts%20of%20the%20Indians.htm > > This link was very timely! I will lead two UU services next Sunday in=20= > Houston, on "The Legend of the Peacebringer" -- the oral history of=20 > how the Iroquois League of Nations was founded. I'll mention the=20 > theories that its structure influenced our demoncracy, but I will=20 > focus on something which I think is still a stretch for AngloEuropean=20= > minds: the ceremony of condolence which Peacebringer devised for=20 > bringing new nations and chiefs into the alliance. Based on the=20 > condolence he had offered to a disciple whose wife and children had=20 > been killed in an effort to stop his work, the ceremony acknowledges=20= > that one must grieve for the grievances (and rights of revenge) which=20= > are abandoned as part of agreeing to make peace. I think this is an=20 > extraordinary insight! > > At the personal level, I think this grieving for grievances could be=20= > profoundly healing. At the international level, think of the stories=20= > of old wrongs which have festered for generations in Ireland, the=20 > Middle East, Africa. Peace may not be possible unless those stories=20 > are buried along with the weapons of war. But under what terms? Wish=20= > me luck in boiling this down to a 20 min sermon, including a synopsis=20= > of the legend! > > (NB: I think Corinne Stavish's general session at NSN 05 this summer=20= > will address some similar issues. (Justice, Revenge, Forgiveness:=A0 A=20= > Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven > When is revenge just? Should we tell the tough tales that may not=20 > involve forgiveness?=A0 What stories help us to heal, ones about = revenge=20 > or forgiveness? Which are appropriate for what audiences, situations?=A0= =20 > Which should we not tell during crisis situations?=A0 Do we alter the=20= > story? Who arbitrates that decision? Does the artist lead or follow? ) > > =A0 > > Another extraordinary aspect of the Iroquois League is its acceptance=20= > of formerly horrible evil men as respected leaders. Atotarho was the=20= > chief enemy of peace, but once he had been converted to the "New Mind"=20= > he was chosen as the leader of the new League! It's hard for=20 > AngloEuropeans to wrap our minds around this concept, which apparently=20= > was/is found among other NE First Nations as well: Joe Bruchac=20 > (Abenacki) spoke about it during his keynote at Sharing the Fire some=20= > years ago. He scoffed at American intolerance of a leader's "feet of=20= > clay" (even a speck of clay is hotly pursued by the media). He said=20 > the Abenaki people believe that a spotless innocent (Jimmie Carter?)=20= > has no true understanding of the nature and scope of evil, and=20 > therefore is unfit to combat it. Hmm. I guess the sticking point is,=20= > how do you make sure the evildoer has truly repented and will walk the=20= > right road from there on? The Iroquois legends indicate it's not just=20= > a matter of transferring one's sins onto a Savior; rather, it requires=20= > a complete transformation of personality and thinking.=A0 That's a = tall=20 > order. It took a supernatural Peacebringer to teach this to the=20 > warring tribes. > > More about this legend can be found by a Google search for Atotarho. I=20= > first discovered it in Paul Wallace' _The White Roots of Peace_=20 > (refers to the roots of the whitepine tree Peacebringer planted at the=20= > founding of the League), ISBN 0-918517-04-4. > > Fran > --=20 > Fran Stallings, Earthteller > 1406 Macklyn Lane > Bartlesville OK 74006-5419 > tel 918-333-7390 fax 918-333-7393 > http://www.franstallings.com > Oklahoma state liaison for the National Storytelling Network > http://storynet.org > Pastor Pam McGrath Brookhaven Christian Church 1020 S. Garnett Rd. Tulsa, Ok. 74128 918-437-3091 "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words." St. Francis ------------------------------- To Unsubscribe from Healingstory send the message: unsubscribe healingstory to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu ------------------------------- | ||