Note from Ray Glennon… Our book discussion is now underway. The comments section for the Summer 2014 Reading Schedule is closed. Please place any new comments in the post for the current week. We look forward to your participation and insights.
Welcome to our summer book discussion on Can You Drink the Cup?, one of Henri Nouwen’s most popular books. Our facilitator, Ray Glennon has created the following reading schedule for us:
w/o June 29th – Welcome to Group and Introductions
Week 1, beginning July 6th – Prologue and Introduction
Week 2, beginning July 13 – Part 1: Holding the Cup
Week 3, beginning July 20 – Part 2: Lifting the Cup
Week 4, beginning July 27 – Part 3: Drinking the Cup
Week 5, beginning August 3 – Conclusion and Epilogue
A quick hello to say I’m looking forward to this discussion group. I live in Michigan and have participated in a few of these discussions before, though most of the time I tend to just follow along. Everyone’s comments and insights have always been enlightening to me and I look forward to this summer’s read. My goal is to share a little bit more. I had read Henri’s Prodigal Son and was so touched by it a few years ago that I have sought out many of his books. This is a treasured space to share our thoughts about Henri’s writings and I am always blessed by it. God Bless all of you as we journey together.
I am a member of L’Arche Comox Valley. Just returned from meetings at L’Arche Daybreak where I spent a week at The Cedars, where Henri lived and celebrated in the chapel. So excited to come across this book sharing for the next few weeks. An opportunity to continue to ponder my own ‘cup of life’ at this time.
As I get deeper into this book the title becomes very personal. Have I been able to “Drink the Cup”? I’m beginning to see my five years as a Hospice volunteer, offering two hours per week of relief to caregivers as merely standing by viewing their “Cup of Sorrow”; being careful to separate myself from them emotionally. No, by Henri’s standard I DID NOT share the cup. Wow . . . what a powerful book!
Working on a research and writing project, I seem to be sucked into my laptop early in the morning, skipping any meditation time. Yesterday I decided to find daily meditations online. And up comes one of my two favorite writers (the other is Frederick Buechner). The Nouwen I have carried with me for decades, which is in and out of print, is The Path of Waiting.
I am a retired English teacher with 30 years behind me of teaching the best stuff, from Shakespeare to the bible as literature.
I am glad to be here! Right now I don’t have this book and can’t afford to buy it, but maybe next month. Meanwhile, I’ll be listening and reading.
So grateful to be able to participate in this online book discussion! Henri Nouwen’s work has spoken deeply into my heart since I first read Reaching Out many years ago. My husband and I retired two years ago and since that time we’ve begun traveling about eight months out of the year in a 25′ travel trailer . . . it makes for a varied and interesting way to meet new people, and of course I have a lot more time to read, but I miss having a group to discuss what I’ve read and how it applies to our lives! Looking forward to the discussions.
I learned about Henri Nouwen through Stephen Ministry leadership training and have been reading ever since. I receive the daily meditations, too. Although this is the first time I have done an online book study, I am very intrigued and excited.
Vickie,
Glad that you will be participating. I will also place your comment on the June 29th to July 5th Gathering Together and Introductions post. Please join us there for the rest of the week.
I am currently living in the Netherlands and heard about this through a Dutch friend who introduced me to “Hour of Power.” I have read Henri Nouwen’s books for years. After hearing him quoted by other authors. I have never done an online study like this so am very excited. Thanks for making this available.
Joan,
Glad to hear you will be joining us. I will also place your comment on the June 29th to July 5th Gathering Together and Introductions post. Please join us there for the rest of the week.
Hello:
I know a good bit about Henri Nouwen and have been reading his works (and Father Martin’s) for a long time, but I know nothing (and am not actually interested in knowing anything) regarding what appears in the two lines below this Comment box!)
As I have not read “Can You Drink the Cup?” before, I look forward to the discipline of trying to keep to the schedule.
Blessings on all involved.
Welcome and we look forward to your participation. (And no need to worry, at all, about html coding below the comment box. I can’t do it either and have little interest in learning.) I will also place your comment on the June 29th to July 5th Gathering Together and Introductions post. Please join us there for the rest of the week.
One of my favorite Nouwen titles. Pray a blessing to all.
Pastor Jim,
Great to hear from you and I hope you will be joining us. The June 29th to July 5th Gathering Together and Introductions post is now up. Please join us there.
I have read several of Nouwen’s books ; they
stir my soul.
Linda,
Welcome to the summer book discussion. We look forward to your participation. We have opened the next post “June 29th to July 5th, Gathering Together and Introductions.” Please join us there.
So glad I found this…and just in time! Looking forward to experiencing this book with all of you!
Bonnie,
Great to know that you will be joining us. The post for June 29th to July 5th is now available and you can post any comments this week at that post.
Peace and all good.
Ray
Hello Ray & Maureen,
I would like to join this group. I live in Arcadia.
I’ve read 15 books by Henri Nouwen and went on one of Wil Hernandez’ retreats at St. Andrew’s in Valeyrmo in 2009 which was based on Wil’s first book on Nouwen’s work.
In 1992 I joined All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena and have been there ever since. Last March, Dr. Tammy I-Ezzi recommended a book by James Martin, SJ which I really liked and incorporated some suggestions from it into my own prayer life.
Peter
Peter,
Welcome and we look forward to your participation. As it turns out, Fr. James Martin, SJ is another one of my favorite authors, in addition to Henri, of course.
When the Welcome and Introductions posting goes live on Sunday you will see that the participants will be asked to introduce themselves to the group. I would suggest that you resubmit your comment in that post so that the larger group that will be reading next week will get to meet you.
Peace and all good,
Ray
I have been a fan of Nouwen for some years. His writing speaks to the heart .
Looking forward to the journey with you.
Welcome Jill – so glad you will be with us for our summer book discussion!
Blessings,
Maureen
Nouwen Legacy Manager
I received the book this week and am looking to reading and discussing it with all of you! Henri Nouwen has been such a spiritual blessing to me over the years.
Janet,
Glad that you will be joining us and we are looking forward to your insight.
Blessings,
Ray
I am a great fan of Henri Nouwen – retired Methodist pastor who needs renewal. Look forward to reading this book and reflection / discussion.
Welcome Rick – glad you can join us!
Blessings,
Maureen
Henri Nouwen Society
I love this book and am going to try my best to join in from the other side of the world (in Singapore actually!) – presumably timing is less of an issue and we can drop in anytime? I have been a fan of Nouwen’s since 1998, when I first stumbled on Bread for the Journey – and there’s been no looking back. Looking forward to the discussions. God bless.
Hello Corinne and welcome! Yes, you can drop in anytime – it is not a ‘real time’ discussion so time zones are not an issue.
Many blessings,
Maureen
Henri Nouwen Society
Love that you will have a book club discussion on the book ” Can You Drink the Cup”. I went from not knowing who Henri Nouwen was, to hearing about him in two books by one of my favorite authors, James Martin S.J., and then hearing Henri Nouwen quoted twice by our wonderful Monsignor two days in a row. God was telling me to get busy reading. I’ll be here for the book discussion.
Linda,
Great to hear that you will be joining us for the discussion. It will be a wonderful way to spend part of the summer. And I too am a great fan of the work of Fr. Jim Martin, S.J.
Peace and all good.
Ray
Looking forward to joining this discussion. I love this book!
Hollye,
It’s great to know that you will be joining us. I’m certain it will be a fruitful experience for all.
Blessings,
Ray Glennon
Thanks for the opportunity to attend this reading.
Welcome Eileen – we are glad you will be able to join us!
Blessings,
Maureen
Henri Nouwen Society
Looking forward to reading and reflecting on this book.
Welcome Christine! We are looking forward to it as well.
Blessings,
Maureen
Henri Nouwen Society