File 103 - Letters from Alan Johnson

0.2 cm of textual records

File consists of nine letters and one card from Nouwen to Alan Johnson and Alan Johnson and Martie McMane. These letters were largely written from L'Arche Daybreak. One letter includes a copy of a response from Johnson and McMane. Letter contents consist of the following:

1. Letter to Alan Johnson and Martie McMane from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated August 28, 1995. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen congratulations them on their new direction their life, and says he is really excited about it and expresses gratitude that they have been called to "this wonderful ministry." He thanks them for sending him a photograph, and says "I look so terribly serious in it but interiorally I certainly am smiling." Letter is signed. Letter includes a copy of the response letter from Alan Johnson.
2. Letter to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated April 28, 1995. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen writes regarding Johnson's request to come for the Jean Vanier weekend at L'Arche, when Vanier was to give a talk. Nouwen says it might not be the best time for Johnson to come, as it will be one of the busiest weekends L'Arche has ever had because it is a home coming weekend. Nouwen says he will be too busy to really have time to be with Johnson, and he would not even be able to offer Johnson hospitality. He concludes by saying he has been doing a lot of "travelling, lecturing and retreat giving" as well as significant fundraising for the Dayspring. He concludes by asking Johnson to call sometime that is good for him. Letter is signed.
3. Postcard to Alan Johnson and Martie McMane from Henri Nouwen. Card is handwritten and dated August 21, 1994. Nouwen thanks them for their letter, and says he and his community " embrace David with our prayer," as well as both Johnson and McMane. Nouwen says it is good to hear of Johnson's recovery. He concludes by saying he just returned from the Ukraine ("last night!") and says "was quite an experience - much suffering, but also much hope." Letter is signed.
4. Letter to Alan Johnson and Martie McMane from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated February 26, 1994. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks them for their Valentine words, and hopes the Lenten season will be a time of healing, and they will receive new strength. Nouwen says he has just returned from a trip to New York, Philadelphia, and California, and will soon have to do more travelling. He asks them to keep him in their prayers "as I meet so many people, and try to respond to so many needs." Letter is signed.
5. Letter to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated January 21, 1994. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Johnson for his letter, and says he is grateful that "your stroke affirmed your conviction that God is intimate and personal." He reassures Johnson, "do not worry about not feeling a strong pull from Jesus. What the people around you do with you and for you, that is Jesus coming to you." Nouwen suggests that Johnson say the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me") in a "simple way, repeating it gently and lovingly" when Johnson wishes to feel closer with Jesus. Nouwen thanks Johnson for sending him a copy of Johnson's message to the UCC Consultation on parish ministry, as Nouwen was moved by it. Nouwen concludes by saying he and his community hope that maximum healing will take place. Letter is signed.
6. Letter to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated September 7, 1993. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Johnson for sending him a cartoon. He says he just returned from a wonderful trip to Europe where he spent two weeks with his trapeze friends. He concludes by thanking Johnson for the card from Yosemite Park. Letter is signed.
7. Letter to Alan Johnson and Martie McMane from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated May 21, 1993. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen says it was wonderful to have had them with them at L'Arche Daybreak. He says that much has happened since they left, including the suicide of a young man Nouwen tried to help, and his sister-in-law died. He says he has been with his brother in Holland "living with him in his grief and deep struggle to accept her death." Nouwen thanks them for the book the "Great Commission" and the book "Uneasily in Love with God." Nouwen thanks Martie for singing and bringing life and beauty to their days together. Nouwen concludes by saying that he thinks Johnson's vocation is elsewhere, but appreciates Johnson's offer to be an agent for him. Letter is signed.
8. Letter to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated March 5, 1993. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Johnson for his letter and card. He goes on to say that he will pray for Johnson's son, Knowl. He says he appreciates "what you write of your own struggle to keep your freedom in it all. "He concludes by saying he just returned from Germany, and had a wonderful and fruitful time. Letter is signed.
9. Letter to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Letter is typed, 1 page, and dated September 14, 1992. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Johnson for his letter and says Johnson's "encouraging words about Jesus' healing are important to me." He appreciates that Johnson sent a book with Herman Reissig's writing. He concludes by expressing excitement that Johnson and his wife, Martie McMane, will come to L'Arche Daybreak from March 4-6, 1993. Letter is signed.
10. Card, presumably from a flower delivery, to Alan Johnson from Henri Nouwen. Card was not written by Nouwen but says, "Welcome to your new ministry soul. From Henri Nouwen."

File also contains one letter from Johnson to to the editor of obituaries at the New York Times from October 1, 1996. Johnson writes regarding the obituary of Nouwen from September 22, 1996, and his dissatisfaction with the obituary, and says, "I would have appreciated more consideration from the NYT about a person who has had vast impact in his life and will continue to have a deep influence after death."

Title based on contents of the file.
Johnson corresponded with Nouwen from 1992 until 1995. Johnson and his wife, Martie McMane visited L'Arche Daybreak in 1993 (See Henri Nouwen fonds - Calendar files, "Visit of Alan and Martie Johnson," box 116, file 1144 for the calendar file for the visit).
See Henri Nouwen fonds - General files, box 312 and 323, file 9824 and 10680, for original letters from Johnson and McMane.

Revised by T Wong, 3 September 2021