Posted by Helen on: 03.30.2009 /
Wow, posting my last post here feels weird…
Thanks again to everyone who has blogged and commented here. And to those who have linked here and said it’s a site worth reading/visiting. That meant a lot to me.
The closing of this blog is a change. What hasn’t changed at all is my belief in, and commitment to, respectful engagement with people whose views differ from mine.
Off The Map shares that commitment - it’s a big part of why I got involved. I’m staying involved because respect for ‘outsiders’ is inherent in The Practicing Church, Off The Map’s focus going forward. It has to be - I don’t see how anyone who has read about Jesus touching the leper or having dinner with Zaccheus can seriously call themselves a follower of Jesus if they don’t seek to do likewise.
I hope I’ll continue to have respectful conversations in various places online after this blog is closed, in which I listen and learn. I hope you all will too.
Comment by: glenn
1Helen - Thank you for your important contribution to the discussion!
Comment by: Karen
2Hi Helen! I haven’t had the time to follow the conversations here as I used to, but I did notice that you were closing up shop and wanted to wish you well.
You are truly an inspirational person when it comes to your ability to interact kindly with those whose point of view you might challenge. I think you have made a lot of people think deeper through your hard work here and elsewhere.
Thank you so much and here’s to continuing conversations!
Comment by: Jim J
3May God richly bless you in all that you do.
Comment by: Benjamin Ady
4Helen, as always, you rock.
Comment by: Eliza
5Wow…the end of an era…
Helen, thank you for being such a welcoming person, for stimulating interesting conversation, and (especially) for being such a positive role model for respectful dialogue.
Comment by: Helen
6Thanks everyone :)
Comment by: Jim Henderson
7Helen Mildenhall changed my life!
She taught me to be a much better follower of the god/God I hope exists but she is not so certain does - we call him Jesus.
In my perfect world I would take Helen on an exteneded road trip and make thousands of pastors sit at her feet and ask her to tell them what she knows about following Jesus.
Helen has one of the most nuanced minds I have ever encoutered. Her intellect is sharp and incisive but in spite of those attributes she is not mean- that is incredibly rare in our modern (or post modern) times
Helen is not allowed to leave Off The Map Land even if this blog is ending. We would simply lose our way without her playfulness,curiosity,wit,british accent,ability to restrain herself from saying what she knows is true, kindness toward others, ability to coax others to come out and play and beautiful capacity to ask a question that demonstrates her refined practice of really listening to the other.
Helen is my friend
Comment by: Helen
8Thanks Jim :)
Comment by: Julie Marie
9I share Eliza’s sentiments: the end of a chapter.
Helen, thanks for your questions over the past 3 years. You did show me how to ask questions. My conversations are much better these days, no matter who I am talking to!
Comment by: Benjamin Ady
10Today I feel like the end of CatE really sucks. I used to be able to pop over here and find new content that was fascinating and interesting conversations. Alas no more. All good things must come to an end, I guess =(
Comment by: marion
11Hi Helen
only just got the e-mail catch up notification…
somehow I thought there might be more posts and I would get time to join in
[my mind has been very stretched, lately, on other things]
I am sad that this is closing, but I think that you, and others, are doing a great job with ‘Off The Map’ - and, of course, like me, you have a family…
so all the best to you and them, in whatever you do, and wherever your life takes you,
Marion [U.K.]
Comment by: Helen
12Thanks Benjamin - I’m glad there were interesting conversations here and fascinating content. At least some of the time :).
Comment by: Bob
13Well I wandered off for a month and came back to find this news. I’m sad to see the blog go but hope we’ll run into each other down the road. Thank you for all you’ve done to keep this up and running and encourage useful and meaningful dialogue. You’re a good soul Helen, take care of yourself. Wishing you all the best.
Comment by: Pete S.
14I used to contribute or respond a year or so ago, but as does happen, wandered into other realms of the Internet. Just came back to read the blog and found the note you are closing up shop. Good luck in all you endeavor. I’m going to be in Chicago in a month for my son’s graduation from North Park Univ. cool!
Comment by: Pam Hogeweide
15so sorry to have not been paying attention to the last post of this iconic blog of OTM’s. Wow. What an amazing ride it has been. Helen, your commitment and welcoming posture to anyone who came in, especially the critics and those with opposing view points, set the tone for respectful dialog, a rarity in the wild, wild west of cyberspace where flaming, trolling and nasty debates are all too common. This has been a safe haven for believers, non-believers, unbelievers and disbelievers to co-exist and listen to one another. You set the lead. And we followed.
And I agree with Jim: you are just not allowed to leave OTM Land. Uh-uh. And I am happy to note that you are sticking around, putting your amazing self into the new message of OTM which is The Practicing Church…totally crazy that a disbelieving former Christian almost atheist is helping lead the digital charge. And I wouldn’t want it any other way!
{HUG!!!!!!!}
Comment by: Helen
16Bob, I’ve really appreciated your contributions here - I’m glad you found CatE and joined in the conversations. I wish you all the best too.
Thanks for your comment and for your contributions here, Pete. I hope you enjoy your trip to Chicago.
Pam, I’m so glad I met you through OTM. Big hugs back to you too!!!