We have enjoyed having Josh Bleyerveen as our Bartimaeus Intern (right with Elaine in front of his “cabin”). He’s now headed back to Australia, where he will work with TEAR Fund Australia, a Christian global justice education organization.

He’s been helping us prepare for the February Institute, which had 30 participants, 2/3 of who were under 35 years old, which was one of our goals! Watch for a report on that and some of Josh’s reflections on his time with us in next month’s E-News.

Elaine and I have been working on a few projects related to developing and supporting younger leaders. Together with Bill Kellermann and Joyce Hollyday, we’ve been talking with Frida Berrigan (left) about developing a radical Christian reading/study course, drawing off the experience of Word and World Interns a few years ago. Speaking of W&W, we’re delighted to again be collaborating with colleagues in that network to design a Sabbath Economics track for the U.S. Social Forum gathering this summer in Detroit. And we’ve been consulting with Joanna Shenk and Andre Gingrich Stoner of Mennonite Church U.S. to help them “map” emerging new discipleship communities in the U.S. We hope to devote one of our Institutes in 2011 to nurturing younger Anabaptist leaders.

Here in Oak View we had good visits with: Australian Anglican priest and restorative justice colleague Geoff Broughton; local mushroom hunter and spear fisherman Eric Hodge; Donna and Irvin Driedger, Elaine’s brother’s in-laws from Saskatchewan; Episcopal priests Bob Two Bulls (right) and Michael Cunningham, who were passing through en route to South Dakota; Casey Hopkins from the Abundant Table Farm project; Elaine’s sister Janet and brother in law Rob Regier from Saskatchewan; Johnny Devlin from the Open Door Community in Atlanta; and Jay Beck and Meg Lemieur of Circle of Hope in Philadelphia.

Gloria Kinsler is now undergoing radiation treatment following a lumpectomy, and is doing well. We are sorry to hear of the passing of Joyce Johnson’s mother. A new Catholic Worker community has started up in Tucson, AZ; check them out at www.roseofthedesert.org. Finally, Darrel Meyers writes: “I'm so pleased that you printed the Kairos Palestine Document in your December newsletter. Of course you would, since your life and witness have been giving a voice to those long muffled—not to mention giving a voice to scripture unheard, misunderstood and misappropriated. I find again and again new thoughts and challenges in your presentations. Thank you for what you do and who you are.” Thanks to you Darrel!