Re: [pf] common fire

by Jill Taylor Bussiere

19 December 2000 21:03 UTC

Sounds wonderful!!!!  Thanks, Priscilla!

                Jill
----- Original Message -----
From: <prichter1@aol.com>
To: <positive-futures@igc.topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 1:27 PM
Subject: [pf] common fire


> 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.
>