A REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL THOMAS MERTON SOCIETY MEETING IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, BY REVEREND WAYNE BURNS.

It was my privilege to attend The Eighth Conference and General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society.

THE SETTING OF THE MEETING

The meeting was held at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. What a beautiful place for the meeting. It was not only a beautiful university for the meeting, but the university seemed to be a University that housed many other schools.Within it borders were: Regent College (a well-known college to so many ministers), St. Mark's College, Vancouver School of Theology, The Carey College, etc...I am not sure I saw all the places of higher learner. And, there was The Museum of Anthropology.

There were probably 225-250 people attending the conference from all over the world.

THE THEME FOR THE PROGRAM The theme was: The Hawk's Dream: Thomas Merton's Sacred Landscapes. As stated in the printed program: "The Hawk's Dream" was the provisional title affixed to Merton's journal for 1968, his final and highly active year of life....Merton drew the phrase, "The Hawk's Dream," from the Californian poet, Robinson Jeffers,...

THE PROGRAM

The program was packed full of addresses and conferences. The Program Committee headed by Christine M. Bochen of Rochester, N. Y. did an outstanding job. The site coordinator Judith Hardcastle of Vancouver probably could not count the days and hours she dedicated to this meeting. On two occasions over the last two years I saw her at Gethsemani working on the meeting. What a job she did. When one looks at the program, you face a decision every hour or so on what to attend. The only negative I have concerning the meeting is that you can't go to all the conferences. All times had at least two conferences.

Some of the addresses and topics were: Mary Jo Weaver: "Conjectures of a Disenchanted Reader" "A Multi-Lingual Merton" , Ginney Bear

PRADES AND ENVIRONS: The Pilgrimage of 2002...by Monk Paul Quenon. This took us on a journey to Merton's birthplace...And, "Merton's Manhattan: A Tour and Interpretation in Words and Pictures"...by Walt Chura (Albany, NY). Walt is a faithful reading of the daily quotes I send. And, Walt was my neighbor in the Gage Towers where we lived for the meeting. Paul Quenon and Walt Chura are nice folks to share time with. Walt also lead a conference on "Thomas Merton Among the Shakers: An Appreciation and Critique"...

"My Name is that Sky: A Celebration of Thomas Merton's Creation Spirituality in Word and Song"...This was lead by Kathleen Deignan. Sister Kathleen is the author of a book I previewed and some of you have read: WHEN THE TREES SAY NOTHING. What a joy to meet her and be in her conference and share some moments of fellowship. She can really sing. She shared the conference with Priest Francis Gargani , Bronx, NY...

"Merton's Celtic Vision of Landscape"...Mary Earle and Sylvia Maddox directed this conference. Mary and Sylvia authored the book: PRAYING WITH THE CELTIC SAINTS.... It would be impossible to share all the conferences here, but let me mention one other address. James Findley from California spoke on "Thomas Merton and the Non-Christian Contemplative Traditions" ...however, Findley changed the topic mostly of studying under Merton during the six years he was at Gethsemani. Findley is now a Clinical Psychologist. He has written a book about Merton. It is MERTON'S PALACE OF NOWHERE. I mention his talk because he made a very interesting point when he said that "to exalt Merton is to miss Merton."The program was packed full of good things to be a part of.

THE PEOPLE ATTENDING THE MEETING

This to me is the best part. Everyone present had Merton stories. Some few there had met Thomas Merton (Findley, Quenon, etc...)....Most had met Merton through his books. And, that is the way most people knew and know him. There was a group of Daggy Youth Scholars present. They had life and energy. I met some of them two years ago. And, one of them has become a true friend. Kristen, from New Jersey....She is such a blessing. And, to top it off she met Father Dennis from Holy Trinity, Alabama, while Fr. Dennis was doing work in New Jersey. Fr. Dennis is a friend of mine. Kristen had no idea I knew him, but when she asked me if I knew where Holy Trinity, Alabama was the story unfolded. I live only a few miles from Holy Trinity Alabama.

At this meeting, you fellowship with so many wonderful people. One joy of mine was to meet Pat Hulburt from San Diego, California. Pat and I have exchanged many emails over the last months. Pat reads the daily Merton quotes, and the next ITMS Meeting will be at her place..San Diego, California. It is so nice to meet people in person that you feel you already know! Well, I need to stop. It was a great trip. Dan Phillips from Nashville, Tn. and I made the trip together. And, it was worth the ride. One closing comment. As most of you know, I live in Alabama where it is hot in the summer. Well, I had heard how nice and cool and even wet the weather could be in Vancouver in June. Well, we had Alabama weather every day....and not one drop of rain. It was cooler in Alabama June 5-7 than in Vancouver, BC, and it rained every day in Alabama while I was Vancouver!!

Wayne http://community.webtv.net/wayneburnsB/WayneBurns "May the good Lord strew on your path coins of blessings." TO EMAIL WAYNE: mailto:wayneburnsB@webtv.net