The Aevia Group and Ascension University are organizing Curricular Focus Teams in an ongoing effort to insure the essential curriculum is always given the proper attention in course development. A Ministry of Mercy (MOM), is one such curriculum management component and the team will operate as part of the School for Service to All.
The philosophical and spiritual overtones focus specifically on the meaning and value of Merciful Ministry as characterized by Sympathetic Understanding, Enveloping Tenderness , and Inspiring Beauty.
The managerial and scientific focus is concentrated on facts concerning the nurturing role of mothers and others engaged in the role of child rearing.
In November of 2008, the Lead Trustee for the soon to be established Aevia Charitable Trust (The ACT), gave a talk describing the importance of forgiveness. And, how if we were to condition our forgiveness on another’s repentance, we would find ourselves judging someone, their sincerity, or the quality of their repentance. The talk included the following statement:
“Consider also, the example Jesus gave about the man who steals your coat. By the Master’s admonition, in our time we would likely give the thief a set of matching gloves and perhaps even a scarf for a dash of color. Now would we do this simply to keep from getting shot or is there a larger principle involved? I believe our act of kindness in the face of such evil is the peacemaker’s equivalent of shock and awe. It would serve to challenge the righteousness of the self-centered thief. And even though it may not spur in him an instant conversion to altruistic hero, it also won’t support his notion that everyone’s in it for themselves. He has, at least, one unsettling example of a fellow human being acting unselfishly. Until he grows to understand your motivation, the unusual experience will be hard to reconcile in his mind.”
You can listen to or download the full audio of this keynote address here: