I was excited to see Anne Lamott on the schedule with Creighton University for their Women & Health Lecture Series on September 19th, and then extremely disappointed to receive an e-mail notice yesterday that the public lecture had been cancelled. "After careful review of Ms. Lamott's most recent writings (which postdated her contract agreement), we have concluded that key points are in opposition to Catholic teaching which, in our judgment makes her an inappropriate choice for the Women and Health Series" - so, the invitation from Creighton to Lamott to speak was withdrawn. (An article by Veronica Stickney in yesterday's Omaha-World Herald provides additional details.)
An article by Kevin Cole in today's Omaha World-Herald however reports that another organization, Connections - a coalition of Omaha churches, has taken it upon themselves to sponsor a program with Lamott on September 19th at the Holland Center. It appears Lamott and IF fans owe their thanks to the quick action of Rev. Nancy Brink of North Side Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who contacted Lamott after hearing of the cancellation with a new invitation to speak. The event is titled: "Faith and Writing and Whatever: A Night With Anne Lamott." Lamott is the author of six novels and five works of nonfiction, the title that got me hooked in reading her work is: Traveling Mercies - Some Thoughts On Faith.
If you've got a favorite Lamott story or quote, additional information on her upcoming visit to Omaha, or items to add to the discussion share them by clicking on the comment link below.
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I was elated last evening when I heard that Annie Lamott was coming to Omaha and would be at the Holland Center. She has been a favorite of mine ever since I read Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life back in the early '90s. If you haven't read this book, I urge you to.
What makes this even better is that it will be at the Holland Center that holds 2000 people. I also learned that Lamott waived her fee. Kathy Tooker
good for them. I am alsosick of thse liberal pastors who support Lamott like Scott Shreve and Nancy Brink peddling the far-left aganeda down christians throats
I think the key quote of the piece is this:
"At Creighton University, you're expected to be educated," said Abbott, manager of the Bookworm. "They don't want you to be indoctrinated.
"I'm astounded that a university renowned for its educational value would pull a speaker who has an opinion that goes against the Catholic Church."
Here is another interesting article about the situation. It sounds like the faculty aren't thrilled. Perhaps a classic case of bowing to public pressure? (Although President Schlegel denies it.)
How do those librarians working in private institutions view this? Is the message here that some policies (i.e., academic freedom) are only as strong as the commitment of the leadership of the institution to uphold them?
Forgive them, for they know not what they do. And thank them for calling attention to a wonderful writer who will now be accessible to far more people than would have attended Lamott's speech if held at CU.
I had the opportunity to hear Anne Lamott speak on the 19th at the Holland Center, and I was not disappointed, beginning with stepping into the elevator at the Holland Center with 3 young women proudly wearing their Creighton University t-shirts. They felt it was the least they could do, considering the ruckus their university had caused in cancelling their engagement with Lamott - so they demonstrated their support by attending in bold blue school colors. The second delight of the evening was to hear that Lamott had waived her fee, and would instead encourage gifts following her performance to two local charities: Girls Inc. and the Samaritan Counseling Center. And the best delight of the evening was to hear Lamott speak, read 2 of her essays aloud, and then dance to her favorite gospel song. Much of what she had to say hit home with the audience, as evidenced by the laughter and applause - no greater than when she commented "All evidence to the contrary, Jesuits love me!" Other bits of Lamott insight that I scribbled quickly on my program included:
"Mess, failure, false starts and mistakes get us closer to finding what is true."
"The most profound gift we have for each other is to show up and not be ashamed."
"The abyss is where the hope lies. The solution is in the mess. Falling into the abyss gives the chance of restoration."
"We're the children of God and we are loved and God loves you exactly the way you are and too much to let you stay like this."
"The opposite of faith is certainty."
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