[pf] common fire

by prichter1

19 December 2000 19:28 UTC

Jill and others interested,

I have appended some reviews of Common Fire. There are a couple of reasons I 
want to start with this: first, the social justice people in my congregation 
are mostly working on other issues, like abortion and social welfare. They 
also have some problems with interfaith work (they might hear the word Jesus 
there). I want to broaden their horizons a bit before I get too specific with 
environmental issues, which are addressed in this book, too. I want them to 
get a sense of working as a community rather than as individuals in singular 
pursuits. Second, Common Fire was published by Beacon Press, under our 
denominational auspices. It seems a little more "us".  Third, the authors may 
be coming to our city in the spring to foster interfaith dialogue and action. 
I want us to sit at the table, so to speak, with others for this.

I will respond to Betsy's post later -- she got me even more fired up!!!
Priscilla

Editorial Reviews : Common Fire [from amazon.com website]:
The author, L. A. Parks Daloz -- daloz@whidbey.com , November 7, 1997
An overview and comments
Here is some text from the book jacket, along with information about an 
accompanying video. Addressing today's tough problems--from urban conflict to 
a polarizing economy to environmental degradation--requires people who can 
shun cynicism and despair, accept new responsibilities, build new 
connections, and sustain themselves over the long haul. What does it take to 
sustain this sort of commitment? How can all of us encourage commitment to 
society as a whole? This landmark book answers these questions by looking at 
more than one hundred people in many walks of life who live and work on 
behalf of the common good. Based on these lives, we have identified a number 
of key patterns in how commitment to the common good is formed and how it can 
be sustained in the face of discouragement and despair. Of value to 
individuals exploring deeper commitments, the book has been widely used as 
well for religious education groups, in college classrooms (especially 
service learning), and by community leaders. An accompanying video is 
available for discussion groups. For more information, you may email 
cybercafe@whidbey.com. 

A Groundbreaking, Inspiring Book!, May 19, 1999 
Reviewer: A reader from Boston, Massachusetts
Common Fire is more than a book. It is itself a vision and an inspiration. If 
you're looking for hope and innumerable practical tips about how to create 
more possibilities for compassion and creativity in our schools and 
communities, then you'll love the incredible stories that this brilliant, 
care-full group of four author/educators has put together. Common Fire 
introduces us to a vision of what our good country can be when we re-envision 
ourselves as citizens rather than mere "consumers." I find it unbelievably 
heartbreaking to see America play darkly at the edges of cynicism, despair 
and violence, all of this supported by a daily barrage of TV and newspaper 
stories that hold out the lowest possible standard for what we humans can be, 
individually and in our communities. We are capable of so much more! Each one 
of our children should grow up in a safe home, surrounded by adults who know 
how to deal artfully with differences and potential conflict. Each one should 
grow into a visionary neighborhood of people who help one another and speak 
well of one another. These courageous Common Fire authors of have really gone 
out to the edge of what is possible for us as a nation, grounding their 
vision in the real experience of over one hundred extraordinary, visionary, 
incredibly committed leaders who refuse to take despair as the answer. As 
someone who has done professional interviewing, I know how difficult it is to 
ask good questions, to sort through masses of material for the gold. The 
Common Fire authors have done a superb job. These are good stories, real 
pearls of wisdom from mature American citizens who know what they're talking 
about. I am inspired by their stories, by their tenacity and creativity in 
situations where so many of us have given up. Common Fire is food for our 
hungry imaginations. Please read this book and present it as a gift of 
enkindled love to friends who are teachers, parents, college students, mental 
health professionals, politicians, community activists, business leaders, 
priests and ministers. I for one want the new life that these authors and 
their interviewees offer for us all. And I humbly thank them for all that 
they have already accomplished for my neighbors and for my country.