Dear Friends,
2009 has been a full and wonderful year of
travel work following my 2008 sabbatical.
I worked with 24 groups in 12 states.
From planning meetings for The Quaker
Initiative to End Torture- QUIT in DC to the main plenary at North Pacific
Yearly Meeting in Montana to the Dragonfly Transitions young adult treatment
center in Oregon, I was well used in the right places.
13 of these were return invitations, a good
sign that I am useful in on-going work and continue to be well received.
The new invitations were a delight.
I’m often asked did sabbatical change
things, was it good, how was it to re-enter?
Yes, sabbatical was very good- right on
time, life-saving. I am refreshed
and glad to be back. I did/do more
writing- see my blog via my website
www.johncalvi.com;
Both prayer and work are deeper than
before. I was also shocked to
discover how old I’ve become – if you are too busy to notice that decades have
passed, that’s TOO busy! 60 is 2.5
years away and I cannot for the life of me comprehend how this happened.
And it was surprising to love being a
hermit- my solitude and quiet needs have grown with the years and the
work. Tons of people contact with re-entry
was both welcome and challenging.
Work has changed a bit over the years.
More groups have me in to help them heal
conflict. While trauma survivors
still attend all workshops and speeches, there is also a large draw from
clergy, health care professionals, and various kinds of leadership.
I think in part this is due to the state
of the world being in so much pain and many many people overwhelmed by the
their work. While there is hope,
there is also exhaustion, despair, and some doubt about doing ones best for the
long haul. My path has been very
particular in learning and teaching such things.
I also did QUIT Updates on every one of
my stops this year. I’ve learned to
work in places where reverence is valued.
The scenario of working by invitation and
living mainly on gifts would appear risky.
And after 27 years I confess to looking over my shoulder now and again
wondering if I am still aloft. One
leaps expecting a net and is wonderfully surprised to discover flight.
My work – healing for trauma survivors,
teaching and mentoring to healers and others with ministry, convening The
Quaker Initiative to End Torture - QUIT, and writing – has been made possible
by the generosity of many. And by
your trust, for which I am eternally grateful.
There is much good that needs doing and
I have plans for some of that. Thanks to you more will be possible.
I ask you please to give generously.
You know I am tried and true and the
need is great. I go on, knowing
that you and I are doing our best, that has always been what’s needed.
In the Light
John Calvi
PO Box 301
Putney VT 05346
Website: www.johncalvi.com
Email: calvij@sover.net