Current Issues 1: Government/governance in the Iona Community?

GOVERNMENT OR GOVERNANCE WITHIN THE HEART OF THE IONA COMMUNITY?

Text of personal Witness to Kathy Galloway dated 2th August 2002

Kathy Galloway
Leader of The Iona Community.

Kathy,

The Apostasy of Spirit or The Spirit of Apostasy?

The accompanying Muse entitled "Spirituality" comes to you as a result of your "Leader to Leader" interview in the current issue of Coracle.

The content of this letter is neither judgemental, or critical, rather it is Witness. As such it does not seek or require acceptance. It is not a claim to infallability, rather it is no claim whatsoever. The author of the Muse is also that of this letter.

Firstly some questions. Did the apostle Paul determine his own Damascus experience and hence his subsequent ministry? Did George MacLeod decide of his own vision and will to rebuild Iona Abbey? In other words which (or is it Who?) is the greater -- the will of humankind or the Will of God?

You state in the interview "We all have a spirituality, an inner life, but the nature of that spirituality is shaped by what our hope is, our ultimate concern if you like — and the spirituality will orient in that direction." Such a mindset however well meant and in good faith is to place the individual intellect and ego which give rise to human will, before and above the Will of God. I note also that you spell Spirituality with a small "s". Would we spell the word God with a small "g"? What, or again is it Who is Holy Spirit? Is this different from spirit spelled with a small "s"? Should it be? Need it be?

The crucial significance of this apostasy for the Iona Community is that it is a continuation of the lie contained within the phrase "rediscovery of Spirituality" which is the false witness placed before the Community for several years. The veiled implication therein is that the human being can apprehend Being as Holy Spirit by an act of will individual or collective, again no matter how pious or well intentioned. This is to say that the human will can summon Cosmos. The logic of the phrase is that I /we will (to) rediscover Spirituality. The fact that the pronoun "I" precedes the word Spirituality says it all!

You state that you would look for "an integrated approach to life" rather than an integrated approach to Spirituality. Is not The Holy Spirit embued in, as, and for all Life as The All in All? Your logic wittingly or otherwise states that life or is it Life is divorced from Holy Spirit.

What then of Iona Community prayers seeking not direction, but guideance for an integrated Witness to society through action? No matter how apparently genuine or well meant, if the heart within is saying "me" first then spirit, Holy or otherwise how are we to recognise the answer to the prayer using the "I" of the well intentioned intellect and human will? Integration is not me (or you) first, it is US together as Unity, Who is Cosmos.

We necessarily struggle against the barriers of Faslane to good effect. Where is the counter-balance in the recognition and preparation for the peace for which we struggle? Where is the active preparation for justice not only for humanity, but for Mother Earth as an integrated system? To focus mainly or solely on the "battle for peace" in the absence of active involvement in a Witness not for, but AS Peace is like a child who would break a toy in two only to find that half a toy just doesn't work for anybody.

The letter continues overleaf in the form of Muse. The origins of this term are relevant. Thank you for reading — what exactly?

Homo Spiritus
(The Heavenly Marriage)*

To be married to the present
Is to be divorced in and from the future.

To be divorced from The Holy Spirit
Is to be married to the self.

To be married to the self,
Is ultimately to die. **

*Also The Song of Songs, and the union of Shakti and Shiva.
** This does not refer to or describe physical death.

Spirituality

The thrust of the Cosmic breath within my soul
The ache of a heart a' breaking — still.
The Dream of Olwen smiling down
The Love that lost and ONE to Me.

This My Heart, My All I give —
I lose, I live, in Thee!
So now deep Presence, still, within —
Call soft, call long, call silent still,
And turn the hearts of men within
To where and how Thou art.

Still the waters, quiet the soul
And thus let the ghost of Spirituality —
Merge with kith and kin, with heart and soul,
Down trodden, but not forgot!

My Divine mystery I now impart
But not to mind,or heart, or soul —
Only to the listening still —
The Spirit deep — within,
The Heavenly Star on high.

Who am I? Why can't you guess —
The Cosmos; nothing less!
Thus you will nver know my name
Lest you but hear my call
On summer's day and winter's thrall.
No definition of the intellect am I
I AM — the experience of The Heart —
Of ALL!
Amen.

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Text of second personal Witness to Kathy Galloway dated 27th February 2003

Kathy,

The Governance of Scotland

I write as an Associate Member of The Iona Community. Not so much to make a suggestion as the recommendation that The Iona Community host a half day community# experience having the same title as this letter. This to be held in Stirling Castle as an earnest of similar meetings throughout the Nation.

Why?

To which the response is — why not? We have seen the will as distinct from the power of the people demonstrated in recent weeks in relation to our (?) intended war with Iraq. The issue world wide is now the choice between Governance or government. The former is stewardship of individual Nations, and hence the planet. The latter is the mechanism of the State and hence ultimately of the interests of global business. The planet is not a business, it is The Lord's parish of Whom He is Creator and Steward.

This being so, what form of governance should / will The Iona Community represent? That is to say, Witness before the Nation? We need look no further than The Bible not only for the answer, but for the entire history of the Governance of the planet of four Kingdoms. In what way do the remaining secular monarchies of the world Witness to The Monarchy of The Christ?

No one knew the strength of conviction of the people regarding the intended war with Iraq until the day of global demonstration not against war, but in support of peace.

Similarly, with the cry for the Governance of Scotia. This is to declare and work towards Peace as distinct from a continuation of the "battle* for peace" at the gates of Faslane albeit necessary and productive. Such Witness will win the battle, but not the war. Amen.+

Monarchy, being Divine Stewardship, the agenda, process and outcome of the recommended assembly are already in place, all we need do in Christ's Name and therefore in The Gift of Grace alone, is assemble! Some may say that the very title of such an assembly is politically incorrect as it implies independence and therefore exclusion. The implication here is that Christ's discernment as distinct from discrimination in choosing The Children of Israel was and still is politically incorrect. It is to be remembered that the purpose of such discernment was and still is the redemption of all such Nations as choose The Christ as King. Amen.

We all know the saying "win some, lose some". There is a less well known saying "those who lose heart, lose all". What is happening to the Heart of Scotia under the "reign of government"? The price of Peace has already been met. The cost of Spiritual sloth — is war! Amen.

The sin is in not Witnessing when felt called to do so, either as an individual or as community. Amen.

+Amen, throughout meaning — The Lord's Will be.
# The broader community, being John and Jane The Common-weill, but inclusive of those who perceive themselves to be otherwise.
* Only The Christ within chooses His or Her own ground. Thus and only thus is there no enemy, and therefore no battle. Amen.

Circulation list (alphabetical order)
Wendy Alexander. -- Not as an M.S.P., rather as a private individual.
William Jamieson, Executive Editor, The Scotsman.
Angus Mackay. M.S.P. Edinburgh South
Roderick and Elizabeth MacLeod, a retired Church of Scotland minister and his wife.
Iain MacGregor, a journalist to trade and freelance preacher
Andrew Prentice, management consultant, friend of the writer.
Rie Stevenson, Elder in The Church of Scotland, Canongate Kirk. Edinburgh
Alan and Maire-Colette Wilkie. Full members of The Iona Community

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Text of third personal Witness to Kathy Galloway

Kathy,

In the Name of The Christ and therefore in the Gift of Grace alone —

"Let the people decide"

The foregoing imperative completes the sentence and Blessing of the title of this Witness, that is "Government or Governance within The Iona Community" Amen. +

None of what follows is judgemental, it is a statement of fact.

On 25/8/02 you were sent a personal Witness entitled "The Apostasy of Spirit or the Spirit of Apostasy?" following your interview in Coracle relating to your appointment as leader of The Iona Community. The author of the Witness was referred to in the second paragraph. The vessel of the Witness has since been made known to you. Your response has been silence regarding this Witness and in relation to the Witness dated 27/2/03 entitled "The Governance of Scotland". Silence is a most profound response in the Realm of Spirit. There are several reasons for this. For the moment let them be summarised as an absence of courtesy. Amen.

Such a response is however -- unacceptable.

Wendy Alexander also chose silence as her response to a second recent Witness arising from her two articles in Coracle. Wendy's silence confirmed the absence of an acceptable locus for her two secular pieces. A copy of this Witness was sent to you.

In conclusion it is confirmed that The Silence of The Lamb reigneth overall. Amen.

+ Amen throughout having the meaning — God's Will Be.

encl.
1. 1997 General Election Communication
2. The Witness "The Apostasy of Spirit or The Spirit of Apostasy?"

Circulation (alphabetical order)
1.Wendy Alexander (MSP) as an individual.
2.William Jamieson, Executive Editor, The Scotsman.
3. Laura Mathers, widow of Kenneth Mathers, Minister of Iona Abbey in George MacLeod's time.
4. Iain MacGregor, Editor of "The Scottish Patriot" broadsheet.
5. Angus MacKay, M.S.P. for Edinburgh South.
6. Roderick MacLeod a retired minister and his wife Elizabeth.
7. Andrew Prentice, management consultant.
8. Rie Stevenson, Elder in Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.
9. Alan & Maire Wilkie, full members of The Iona Community.

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Kathy's reply and response

Dear Ian,

Thank you for your various letters. It is true I have not replied to them. I felt there was nothing useful I could say in response. I am not at all sure that I even understood what you wrote. Nevertheless, for any discourtesy you experienced, I apologise.

Having said that, I wish to make it quite clear that your letter to Wendy Alexander I consider to be quite insupportable. It is none of your business to lecture her on how, and under what title she writes. She did exactly what was requested of her by the editor of Coracle, who has the full confidence of the Community in who she invites to write and how. That was to write from the perspective of a serving politician, and one moreover who has had a lifelong connection with the Iona Community. Of course you are free to disagree with her article, but I hope she had the sense to ignore your presumptuous instructions to her. The Community since George MacLeod's time has a long tradition of inviting party politicians of all parties to write for its publications, take part in its conferences and engage in the dialogue which it has always had with public and political life. We do not, as George MacLeod did not, make false distinctions between the spiritual and the secular - the secular is the locus for the operation of the spiritual.

As to your suggestions for the Governance of Scotia, we prefer to continue with our working in partnership through the many existing organisations which are concerned with these issues, and continue our witness for peace at the gates of Faslane, which things are the collective decisions and priorities of The Iona Community at present.

I consider this correspondence now to be closed.

Yours sincerely,

(Rev) Kathy Galloway
Leader of The Iona Community
cc. Ruth Harvey

The Wind of Change response; and summary observation made on this web site:-

Kathy,
Thank you for your recent letter. God Bless.

Ian.

• It is instructive to note that in her reply Kathy spells the name of one of The Blessings of The Trinity, namely The Holy Spirit; with a small "s".
• Kathy's statement "the secular is the locus of the operation of the spiritual" is true — in part. The definitive statement is:-

The Spiritual is the locus not for, rather AS the Blessing of the temporal.

Text of first Personal Witness to Wendy Alexander

Ms. Alexander

The Religion of Politics or The Politics of Religion?

Which comes first in the individual and State? Should either?

I am an associate member of The Iona Community and write to you firstly as an individual Soul, and secondly in your role as a politician.

I refer to your contribution in the current issue of "Coracle" , the quarterly magazine of The Iona Community. The purpose of this Witness is not to dispute your discourse, rather to enlarge upon it. As a politician I assume you will be practised in the use of discourse as a means of limiting or denying not so much other "arguments" as other perspectives outwith the discourse. This may be unintentional.

Let us firstly discern the elements of your discourse by questioning, prior to requesting some contextual definitions. Thereafter let us build the Nation of Scotia upon your foundations!

• Are we to look only elsewhere for lessons?
• Who writes the "story" of a Nation as it unfolds?
• To whom do you ascribe "ambition"? (second paragraph)
• What are the (political) attributes of a tiger?
• Can solidarity be exclusive? If so, of whom?
• If there were a "policy parachute" — who descends; and who continues to fly the plane?
• Does the contemplation of "success" embrace the acceptance of failure?
• Does a Nation have a "psyche? Does the politician serve or create this?
• If man makes a (National) myth, what is the source of it's power?
• What is the relationship between the previous two points?
• Which is the determinant between psyche and story?
• Is the church of which you speak of the people, for the people, or for the State?
• If our "ambition" is to be aware of the globe, will it be greater or less than Columba's determination?

From among the possible answers to these questions it is reasonable to assume that the elements of your discourse are as follows, in no particular order:-

• Resolution is always or usually external to the self.
• Stories are created in time.
• Ambition is either desirable or essential.
• A battle is unavoidable and necessary.
• We must stick together (to win — this battle).
• Only the body politic jointly and severally can or must win the day.
• Failure can never or rarely be an essential precursor of one's own success.
• If of the mind, psyche is the root of ambition, thus by positive feedback, ambition creates psyche.
• Myth is man made and therefore temporal.
• Psyche as Spirit is a "myth".
• There is no discernible interaction between the Spiritual and temporal.
• The church temporal is dead.
• Statecraft is learned by increment and is of the intellect.
• A castle is a prison if it keeps the occupants in whilst attempting to keep the enemy out.

Your definitions of the following words as used in the context of your discourse are of interest.

• society/community: myth
• spirituality, or is it Spirituality? story
• success: determination
• psyche: ambition

As community* some guidelines are placed within and around your discourse. —

• The significance (if any) of an individual or Nation is fundamentally determined by their origins and Spiritual "nature". In this regard we look to the introductory paragraphs of our Declaration of Arbroath which alludes to an immense antiquity. In the case of the Celts this destiny embraces "the isles of the sea afar off".
• Human will, knowledge, and wisdom are finite. The domain of politics is a prime example. This being so, are we to rely upon the state to save (or is it redeem?) Scotia in the forty years remaining to global climatic meltdown?
• If our ambition is to be globally aware, to what extent will the globe need to be aware of Scotia? How is this to be achieved? Can it be "achieved"? What have ambition and the linked perception of achievement ever fundamentally and permanently changed in terms of National psyche?
• Do we succeed; or work out (our) Destiny? Is Destiny ours?
• The dictionary defines "psyche" as:- (1) the soul, the spirit (2) the mind. [from the Greek psukhe - breath, life, soul]. Syriac, the dialect of Aramaic which the Christ spoke states that the seat of the intellect is the heart and not the head. As the head cannot understand, accept or confirm this nothing changes. A change of psyche (mind) is just another thought, whereas a change of psyche (Soul) is to work within Destiny. What, or is it Who therefore wills a Spiritual Parliament within the very Heart of Scotia? Such is Destiny.
• Fundamental change requires sacrifice to a degree and in a manner which "hurts". If it is of the Spirit and therefore of the gift of Grace alone it simultaneously re-builds and re-creates. Do you apply this yardstick to the individuals you mention or to the body politic in Scotland? Such sacrifice is chosen, and relates specifically to a righteous enterprise. The individual's ethics must be consistent in other areas relating to self in the community. As we know the change must be effected within before society will perceive it as genuine.
• Regarding the church temporal in Scotia what is its relationship to the church of Europe? In this regard we have a need in particular to consider the title of this letter of Witness. Sovereignty is not transferable. What was the ethos of the Columban church regarding the sovereignty of the individual Soul? What was the doctrine of the European church at that time in this regard. What is it today? What was the political relationship between the two churches in Columba's life time. What was it after the Synod of Whitby? Where is the Columban church today?
• Statecraft incorporating as it does political correctness is the death knell of democracy. What had the Christ to do with the machinery of state as distinct from the heart of the matter?
• The Christ has no ambition, He or She moves as the vessel of Blessing Who (not which) is of Kairos not chronos. As such there is no battle or competition.
• The changes you seek will occur, but not at the hand of any individual or group political or otherwise. They will commence not with but AS the Spiritual cleansing of the Scottish Parliament. In this regard "The Thrie Estaitis" is a timeless history, and lesson for today.
• Secular history dis-regards the "myth" of the Once and Future King and Queen. What perspectives did your "years of sermons" give you in this regard? We all know the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" — why so? Fiction is the invention of the finite mind which by definition is limited. The Mind of God is Infinite. Amen.

Ian McLean

Peace on Earth

Serenity is The Being of God —

Of Whom Sovereignty, monarchy, majesty and royalty are the children.
Only the latter is of the flesh.

Sovereignty is The Will of God.
Monarchy is the guidance of the people as community inclusive of the Monarch.
Majesty is the manifestation of the individual Persona or Spirit.
Royalty is the empathy of the flesh for and therefore as, community.

Manifest Silence is —
— Omnipresent Spirit.
Amen.

Notes

* Community is defined as: The Being of common unity as distinct from solidarity.

"Amen" is used throughout to mean - God's Will be.

In the Scottish Room of the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland on The Mound in Edinburgh there is a work by William Dyce entitled "The Man of Sorrows". It depicts The Christ in his royal colours of blue and wine red sitting upon a rock in the midst of a Scottish moorland. There is a text embossed upon the frame of this painting the last two lines of which I am certain you will find not so much to your liking as to your enchantment.

Please see also the Biblical references listed under the enclosure "The Church — The Facts"

Enclosures:
Copy of "Celtic Lessons for a better Scotland" by Wendy Alexander. M.S.P. as published in "Coracle", the quarterly magazine of The Iona Community.
"The Wind of Change"
"The Warrior's Sword"
"The Christmas Tree - A Story" and the related work "The Church — The Facts"

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Text of Wendy Alexander's reply and the response

Wendy Alexander's reply to the Wind of Change letter of 6th January 2003 reads in full:-

Dear Mr.McLean,

Thank you for your letter and for taking the time to write as you did.

Perhaps the most relevant comment I can make is that - as you will know:
"Except The Lord build the House; they labour in vain that build it".

Yours sincerely,

Wendy


The Wind of Change response dated 18th January 2003 reads in full :-

Dear Wendy,

The Wind of Change

Thank you not so much for taking the time to read the letter of Witness as giving yourself time to listen with your Heart. Amen.

What a perfect response in both the personal and political domain.

I assume you have set the maxim within your quotation not only against the "house" of the Scottish Parliament, but also against "labour" or any other political party which seeks to serve therein.

Be of good cheer.

Regards,

Ian

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Text of second Personal Witness to Wendy Alexander

Wendy,

Politics or The Politician - Does it Matter?

Is the chicken inside the egg, or the egg inside the chicken? Is the answer on the inside or the outside?

These questions may seem ambiguous. They are however, as profound a summary of your current contribution to "Coracle" entitled "Does Politics Matter?" as was your response to the previous letter of Witness, relating to your earlier article. Simply put, you speak of politics addressing symptoms as distinct from causes. Ultimate resolution of the latter is outwith the domain of politics altogether!

The political and therefore intellectual assumption that the politics of humankind can indeed change the world for the better is a combination of naivety and arrogance. This is not a personal remark. I cite not the words of Pilate before The Christ, but his gesture of hand washing in an attempt to deny the Witness Who stood before him. This was almost the definitive political gesture of "modern" politics. The public denial of The Christ not without, but within! Who died in that moment of denial?

The Iona Community is supposed to be a Spiritual Community. Were it so, what is your locus for a second or further contribution writing as an M.S.P. and therefore as a member and representative of a political party — in a quasi manifesto style? These are statements, not cynical remarks. As an associate member of The Iona Community I make the following request to you if you are to contribute constructively to the Spiritual growth of Community.

• You become an associate member of The Iona Community.
• You contribute to Coracle if at all as a private individual identified as such.
• You attempt to bridge the gap between the political domain and The Spiritual Realm.

It is my conviction Wendy that only in this way will you establish a personal locus for a continued not so much secular piece, as Spiritual Peace. Amen.

I copy this letter to Kathy Galloway, Leader of The Iona Community and to Ruth Harvey, Editor of Coracle. In the Name of The Christ and therefore in the Gift of Grace of The Christ alone I thereby express my resolve to re-kindle the Flame Who once burned in the midst of The Spiritual Iona Community. My Heart is very much part of this Community as distinct from the secular Iona Community. As such it will not be seduced either by politics or the politician. This is not cynicism, rather Realism! It can be reasonably assumed that you have, or will become the political spokesperson not for the Spiritual Community, but against it. Wittingly or otherwise it matters not. Or worse still an "advisor" overtly or otherwise, either in a series of articles in Coracle or in the future. This is no concern of mine in one sense; in the Spiritual Realm it is very much a concern. I shall not disclose my reasons for this statement except to say that the politician represents his or her party; whereas in the Gift of Grace of The Christ alone, The Believer chooses Her or His own Holy Ground and Witnesses therein and thereon. Amen.

This brings us to the definition of "modern" politics which the cynics discern but respond to in adversarial terms.

1. The politics of yesterday and today are defined as:- The attempt to influence the mind of the State for reasons of self interest.
2. The politics of tomorrow are defined as:- The influencing of The Heart of The Nation in service to that Nation.

The time and manner of the Blessing of Tomorrow is already confirmed in the previous letter of Witness. The title of the present letter "Politics or the Politician — Does it Matter?" is to be considered concerning this Blessing as it is the latter Who determines the former. Amen.

Constructive Feedback on your Article (relative to the elements of your discourse)

1. Politics do matter. The more important question is why do they presently matter? Is the answer to this question the same as to the question — why should they matter?

2. It is not possible to "invest" in the treatment of symptoms.

3. If "the proper purpose of progressive politics (whatever that may mean?) … is timeless", why do we need "modern" politics? (whatever that may mean?). Surely "toujours sa change, toujours la meme chose".

4. To play the big numbers game over time is to attempt to budget for Infinity!

5. "To change the way we do things". The needed change is to get us (me) out of the way!

6. The question as set out in the title of your piece reads "Does Politics Matter?"
The answer - - does grammar?

Conclusion

In global politics we approach the fusion of the religion of politics, and the politics of religion. This Spiritual not so much dilemma, as pivotal confrontation is thus equally to be found in regional and national politics throughout the world. The issue? — Monarchy. Amen.

n.b. You will doubtless have read "The Thrie Estaitis" by David Lindsay. A related Blessing is a Muse in the form of a book entitled "All Men are Mortals" by Simone de Beauvoir. It is not unrelated to the painting referred to in the previous letter of Witness.

Enclosed
A poem, of Whom the author and title are "Spirituality".

Circulation List
1. Kathy Galloway, Leader of The Iona Community
2. Ruth Harvey, Editor of "Coracle", the Iona Community magazine.
3. Kenneth Mathers. Warden (minister in residence) of The Community during part of George MacLeod's time as Community Founder and Leader. Kenneth recently elected to become an associate member after a forty year full membership.
4. Alan and Marie-Colette Wilkie, friends and full members of The Iona Community.

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A message to all Members and Associate Members of the Iona Community, dated 11th March 2003

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!

The Governance of Scotia

In Christ's Name, and therefore in The Gift of Grace alone as individuals we each have a responsibility for stewardship of The Iona Community. Amen +

We also have a duty to uphold Christ's Name and therefore His Will within the Community as Witness; as we are called. Amen.

This email originates in The Heart whatever this may mean to each of us. Community is common unity or is it Unity? Is The Iona Community as a mirror of The Nation of Scotia, a spiritual community or a Spiritual Community? In these times need we be either?

Governance is The Lord's Stewardship of planet Earth. Government is the mechanism of the State and hence ultimately of global business. The planet is not a business — it is The Lord's Parish of four Kingdoms of Whom He is Creator and Steward. Amen.

The Scottish Executive's Web site "One Scotland" (www.onescotland.com) attempts to create community by temporal means. Whilst this is laudable it is to no avail. The Iona Community is the Spiritual Blessing of Scotia as the embryo of Common Unity in these times of global peril, politically and hence environmentally.

Common Unity is the Sovereignty of the people as The Christ within us all as so choose. Hence the first two paragraphs of this letter of Witness. To this end, or is it a beginning, please read three letters of Witness sent to our Leader Kathy Galloway in recent months. This Witness can be read on the Web site of The Wind of Change in the "Inspirations" page. The entire site is Witness to Community Unity in the twenty first century. Amen. Letters of Witness to Wendy Alexander M.S.P. also appear in this page of the Web site following Wendy's secular articles in Coracle. They discuss her locus for such articles.

This Web site bears Witness to the damage being done to the Nation of Scotia by the attempted fusion of the religion of politics and the politics of religion. The full text of a related Green Paper entitled "Sustainable Development or Sustainable Life? - Let the Child Speak" can be read on this site. This Paper speaks of the fusion of The Christ not with; rather as the people, not in "solidarity", but as Unity. Amen.

The Wind of Change is a community building catalyst. The descriptive material on the Web site is an earnest of Common Unity. Amen.

Thank you for reading this Witness. Amen.

Ian McLean

+ Amen throughout having the meaning — God's Will Be.

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