Beggars Society Archives
2008
November 9: Submission, Monica and Joel Klepac
Romania field staff members, Joel shared an update on their time in Romania and Monica reflected on the Lifestyle Celebration of submission and the Klepacs’ journey into Orthodoxy.
October 12 : Suffering, Jamie Tworkowski and Byron Cutrer.
Jamie and Byron welcomed us into the journey of To Write Love on Her Arms, TWLOHA, an outreach offering hope and help to teenagers who are struggling with depression and self-destructive behavior. First Jamie shared the story behind TWLOHA. Then, through an interview with Chris Heuertz, Jamie was able to articulate the connection between TWLOHA, suffering and hope. This provided a platform for questions and discussion among audience members and Jamie and Byron.
September 14 : Celebration and Evaluation.
We spent time around the table for an evening of celebration and evaluation of Beggars Society.
August 10: Brokenness
Chris Heuertz shared on his recently released book, Simple Spirituality, and discussed the lifestyle celebration of Brokenness.
July 13: Service
We learned from current and former staff members about service as a true Lifestyle Celebration, both abroad and in the States.
Porchfront Factorye, a band from Philadelphia, led us in worship and played at the reception that usually follows our Beggars Society meeting.
June 8: Humility
Beth Katz, director of Interfaith, and Michael Alley, Interfaith board chairperson, discussed the importance of humility as we enter into relationship with those from different faith backgrounds and traditions. Beth and Michael invited the audience to participate in exercises that emphasized the importance of language in this conversation.
May 11: Simplicity and the Environment
John J. O'Keefe, Ph.D., a Professor of Theology at Creighton University, shared from his life experience about honoring the environment as a response to living simply and honoring God's creation.
April 13: Obedience
Reflecting on the topic of obedience, Elizabeth Day shared about following God to Romania on a Servant Team, and Father Bert Thelen talked about his vow of obedience as a Jesuit priest.
Audio
March 9 : Intimacy: Knowing God in Worship
Kate Hurley shared some of her music and taught on seeking God and justice through worship. Kate has been writing music since she was a little girl. Over the years, she has done concerts all over the United States, and in Russia, Thailand, India and Brazil. She has played in bars, coffee shops, churches, night clubs, concert halls, jails and on the street. Kate has made several CDs and was a featured artist on Enter the Worship Circle: Third Circle. Her goal in her music and her life is to paint an accurate picture of God to those who have misunderstood Him.
2007
December 9: Father Thelen, A Christmas Homily
Father Thelen, of St. John's Church, friend and WMF USA board member, led us in a Christmas homily celebrating the incarnation of Jesus.
November 11 : Broken Bread, An AIDS Awareness Meal
We explored the link between HIV/AIDS, hunger and poverty. We began by completing a World Vision quiz about HIV/AIDS which you can find here. We shared a meal and participated in small group discussion and prayer.
Audio
Supplemental Materials: Take It Home: What Can I Do, Broken Bread Remarks
Oct. 14 : Ministering to Jesus: A Worship Practice
We welcomed a team from Ministering to Jesus (M2J) to share about their upcoming trip to Word Made Flesh Romania in November. M2J is a corporate, personal and intensely focused devotion to God. In addition to learning about the trip, we were able to practice this form of worship together.
Audio
September 9 : Community Share Night
This month's meeting highlighted what different Beggars Society participants are doing among the poor in the city of Omaha. From a local artist to an energy outreach associate, our speakers shared about their personal journeys and responses to God's heart for the poor in Omaha.
August 12 : Tapas, Drinks and Friends
August's meeting was a celebration of the last year and a half of Beggars Society. Marcia Ghali, the new Beggars Society Coordinator, introduced herself to the group and led a time of evaluation. Then the group shared time around the dinner table - tapas and sangria!
Audio: Marcia Ghali's introduction
July 8: WMF Regional Coordinators
WMF's Regional Coordinators gave an update on the ministries in their regions: Walter and Adriana Forcatto (South America), David and Lenuta Chronic (Europe/Africa), Silas and Kimberly West (Asia).
June 10: Meeting cancelled due to flood damage at the WMF office.
May 13: A Tribute to Mother Teresa
April 8: Easter Sunday, meeting cancelled
March 11: Aaron Strumpel
February 11: Corey Widmer
January 14: Meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather.
2006
December 10: Exodus
November 12: The Irresistible Revolution
Shane Claiborne, co-director of The Simple Way and author of The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical was our special guest.
Video: Shane Claiborne (Requires Quicktime 7; 28 MB, 38 minutes)
October 8: The Kingdom Errupting
September 10 : Discussion
Michael and Laura Alley (WMF board member) shared their own story of engaging the poor and a lifestyle of simplicity and facilitated a discussion for the group. Phileena leads a short meditation on the life of St. Francis and St. Clare.
July 9: In The Service of Life
Thomas Kelly, professor of theology at Crieghton University and Academic Director at Encuentro Dominicano, shared about what he has learned from leading service teams and study programs in Latin America. The article, "In the Service of Life" guided many of the thoughts he shared with the group. Nika Cotton (WMF Advocacy Intern), gave a dramatic reading based on the passage from John 13:1-17 and led in a time of silence and prayer.
Text "In the Service of Life" article, by Rachel Naomi Remen
June 11 : The Imagination of Francis of Assisi
May 14: Finding Joy in the Midst of Suffering
March 12: Who are the Poor
February 19: The Poor in Scripture
Father Burt Thelan (WMF board member) opened us in a special time of prayer. Christian Gray shared about the vision and purpose of Beggars Society. Father Burt Thelan opened in prayer, and Chris Heuertz shared on the topic of "The Poor in Scripture." Daphne Eck and Jara Sturdivant led a time of Scripture, song and contemplation, focused on Christ as the light of the world. The evening ended with a wine and cheese reception and time of fellowship.