Greetings from the Executive Director... | | Dear Friends,
I am so thankful for the many unique opportunities that have presented themselves for us to share Henri Nouwen’s legacy with audiences around the world.
In these difficult days when the horror of war fills our newscasts, we were honored to partner with a number of like-minded organizations to present Voices for Peace on May 24th. It was a poignant and powerful online gathering where we were able to proclaim Jesus’s words, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Participants were encouraged to pray and work for peace in every place of conflict in the world today.
In his book Peacework, Henri Nouwen wrote, “Just as Jesus’ command to love one another cannot be seen as a part-time obligation... so too Jesus’ call to peacemaking is unconditional, unlimited, and uncompromising. None of us is excused! Peacemaking is a full-time vocation that includes each member of God’s people.”
In light of the stress that many are currently experiencing, this summer we are pleased to offer a free online video series titled From Fear to Love: Spiritual Grounding in Anxious Times. Hosted by Marjorie Thompson, this 5-part series will offer valuable spiritual practices to ground and deepen your faith in anxious times. Launching on July 16, every week you will be able to enjoy a new episode on our Henri Nouwen YouTube channel. I am certain you will find this series to be a wonderful blessing and encouragement.
During the summer season, I pray that God will restore your joy and refresh your vision for the days ahead. | | Sincerely,
Karen Pascal, Executive Director, Henri Nouwen Society | | | "Flying, Falling, Catching" Henri's Circus Book is Finally Here!
Henri Nouwen loved the circus. He was especially taken with the elegant, high-flying trapeze artists known as the Flying Rodleighs. When the troupe invited Henri to accompany them on a tour of Germany, he was thrilled and decided to write a book about the Rodleighs. He believed their work offered a powerful analogy to living a spiritual life and felt it might be his most important book yet. Henri died before it was finished.
Twenty-six years later, his friend and colleague Carolyn Whitney-Brown frames Henri’s unpublished trapeze writings with the true story of his rescue by paramedics through a hotel window following his first heart attack. Flying, falling, catching indeed!
Flying, Falling, Catching reads like a novel and will be a wonderful addition to your summer book list! Be sure to join us online for a special event in September featuring Carolyn Whitney-Brown and the Rodleighs. Details are on our website. henrinouwen.org More Info | | Our New Strategic Plan!
Two years ago, the HNS board and staff started on a new strategic plan that would map out our direction over the next five years. We were guided by two key questions: What does Henri Nouwen offer the world today and into the future? and How will the Society ensure that Henri Nouwen’s legacy will continue to grow and continue to impact lives? We invite you to visit our website and take a look at the priorities, the actions, and the values that define our organization and that will steer us forward. | | Henri’s Life Still Bears Fruit!
Recently an email arrived at our Toronto office from a man who introduced himself as Denis. Denis explained that he works with convicts in a maximum-security prison in South Africa where he teaches courses to help with the inmates’ rehabilitation. He wanted to let us know about a book study he did with the group of The Return of the Prodigal Son, Nouwen’s inspired analysis of Rembrandt’s iconic painting.
Denis excitedly described how the study affected the prisoners. “This was unlike anything they had experienced before,” he wrote. “When the inmates began to understand God as a loving father and to recognize in themselves the younger son, the elder son, and finally as the father himself, the evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, humility and self-control started to flow out of them in this very dark place!”
Thank you, Denis, for sharing such a wonderful story! And thank you, Henri! Your work continues to turn lives toward Jesus.
And it doesn’t end there. As a result of this new South African connection, the Henri Nouwen Society has now partnered with Prison Fellowship Canada to help introduce incarcerated men and women to Henri’s transformational writings and wisdom. | |
Consider a Gift of Securities Did you know you can make a gift of securities to the Henri Nouwen Society? Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds is a simple, effective way to support our work and ministry. Canadian donors can contribute gifts of securities directly through Canada Helps. Donors in the United States can visit Henri Nouwen.org/donate for information and easy step-by-step instructions. Thank you for keeping us in mind! Donate Today | | | | Audible Treats Headed Your Way | Those of you who participated in last year’s online conference Henri Nouwen and the Art of Living will recall the exceptional presentations offered by our lineup of outstanding writers, leaders, and activists. We are delighted to announce that many of these talks will soon be available as part of our popular Henri Nouwen: Now & Then podcast. Stay connected and up-to-date about these and many other outstanding episodes by subscribing to Henri’s Daily Meditations at henrinouwen.org. Read More | | | | | | |
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