File consists of video recordings of a series of events held at Earlham College centered around Nouwen's receipt of an honourary degree. He gave four talks while at the college, all of which were recorded. Includes a video recording of an address given by Nouwen, Kim Barnes (an assistant from Daybreak) and Thelus George (a core member from Daybreak) at Earlham School of Religion, January 30, 1991. The address is primarily given by Barnes on the subject of L'Arche Daybreak. Video recordings also feature an address Nouwen gave to accept an honourary degree from Earlham School of Religion on January 30, 1991.
V13 v1 Common Meal / Earlham School of Religion consists of a video recording of Nouwen giving an address at the Common Meal at Earlham School of Religion on January 29, 1991.
V13 v2 Living the Spiritual Life / Earlham School of Religion consists of a video recording of Nouwen giving a lecture entitled "Living a Spiritual Life" at Earlham School of Religion on January 29, 1991.
V13 v3 Communion as the source of Christian leadership : Honorary Degree Convocation / Earlham School of Religion consists of a video recording of an address Nouwen gave to accept an honourary degree from Earlham School of Religion on January 30, 1991.
Summary of address:
Introduced by a former student Henry Freeman
I.
Explanation of Communion with God as a series of concentric circles.
Reference to the passage in Luke about Jesus spending the night in solitary communion with God, then returning to his disciples (including Judas) and later going amongst a crowd to minister and heal. Central Circle: Communion with God. Second Circle: Communion with Community (disciples). Third Circle: Ministry through words and healing. Communion is the source of Love. Communion as Connectedness. Communion as Spirit, as a breathing between Father and Son. This relationship between Jesus Christ is both totally unique and totally mutual, and it is called Spirit.
Henri says he is convinced more than ever that all human beings are called to Communion with God. The degree to which a person tastes this relationship will determine their degree of integration into society, how much they can contribute to society. By not acknowledging Communion, an individual will become manipulative and violent in their relations with others. Lacking Communion, people will turn to popularity, success and power in attempts to grasp at Belonging. It is important that Communion takes place at ‘Night’ in this passage of Luke because night is when we (and Jesus) are tempted to seek Communion outside our relationship with God.
II.
Out of Communion will grow Community.
References St. Francis, St. Thérèse, Dorothy Day, St. Bernard, St. Ignatius who formed communities as a fruit of this Communion with God. Mentions the importance of the Quaker tradition and his experiences at Pendle Hill in the development of his ideas about Communion.
Following Communion, you will find yourself calling to people or find people gathering around you. BUT: Community is a place where you will always be reminded that it (community) cannot give you that which you truly desire, Communion with God. Which will push you back to solitary Communion.
There is always a discordant note in communities (the person you least want to live with will be there in the community in which reside) (example of Judas). One needs community – it will constantly challenge you not to expect from people that which only God can give (Love). Community is a place of detachment. Community is the place where you live out Communion and then are called to Solitude. Solitude and Community can never be separated.
III.
Community will lead you to ministry. Ministry must be taught communally in groups. Henri mentions that of late he has found that Ministry has become highly individualized. By ministering in groups, one is prevented from manipulating the Good News, one is not tempted to believe that they are the sole source of Truth etc. In Ministry, we are called to proclaim that Communion with God is being offered to all people. The Spirit of God blows where it wants. Healing and Liberation comes from knowledge that God is offering us Communion. The Love you crave is available, and you can forgive each other for not being God.
IV.
Ministry right now, the lives of everyone present, our reality has changed in the last few weeks because we are now at war (The Gulf War). This fact colours our souls. It is a very dark and dangerous atmosphere. How are we going to live and minister in a world that is in full agony? Your First responsibility is not to change the world but to prevent the world from changing you. Television, News, Media will broadcast dark news that pounds on your heart – don’t let the Darkness take away your connection and Communion with God. Don’t let the Dark rip out the most precious gift of Communion.
Henri mentions Biblical quote of people ‘dying of fear’. Keep your head erect in the face of the Son of Man. Proclaim that this war is unjust. Receive Communion at the mountaintop. We do not receive Communion by changing the world, change is not a condition of prophecy. Source: Video Recordings of Nouwen Series – Video Cassettes of Nouwen at Earlham College Subseries, Box 309, item V13. Summary notes by Anna St.Onge, Archives Assistant, June 2, 2005.
V13 v4 Life at Daybreak : Henri Nouwen, Kim Barnes and Thelus George / Earlham School of Religion consists of of a video recording of an address given by Nouwen, Kim Barnes (an assistant from Daybreak), and Thelus George (a core member from Daybreak) at Earlham School of Religion, January 30, 1991. The address is primarily given by Barnes on the subject of L'Arche Daybreak.