Special Announcement | July 2011

MALEs Inaugurates Council of Elders

Men As Learners and Elders is pleased to announce the creation of the MALEs Council of Elders. This inaugural Council will operate as the MALEs governance body and representatives of the MALEs community for a two-year term.  It will function as the chief decision-making body for issues of tactical and strategic importance for MALEs nationally and internationally, and ensure that the work of the MALEs program is well represented to the executive director and the board of directors at the Center for Action and Contemplation.

The members of this first Council were chosen by CAC founding director Richard Rohr after extensive consideration of many regional MALEs leaders. This first group represents not only geographical areas, but also different age groups, roles and areas of expertise within MALEs.  Included below is a bio of each member. MALEs thanks them for their generosity and courage in accepting this major commitment of time, energy, and experience to our work.  

MALEs is particularly grateful to the members of the one-time exploratory committee--Damien Faughnan, Stephen Picha, Jim Clarke, and Bill McElroy--who provided recommendations for the Council's structure and operation. MALEs also extends a special measure of thanks to Stephen Picha, who played a pivotal role in developing the MALEs program over the last decade. Stephen is now on sabbatical after his end of term as CAC executive director and as MALEs coordinator.

 

Richard Rohr, OFM  |  ex officio

Center for Action and Contemplation founder Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He founded the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1971, and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986, where he presently serves as Founding Director. He considers the proclamation of the Gospel to be his primary call, and uses many different platforms to communicate the message. Themes he addresses in service of the Gospel include Scripture as liberation, the integration of action and contemplation, community building, peace and justice issues, male spirituality, the Enneagram, and eco-spirituality.

Jim Taylor  |  Texas

Rev. Jim Taylor is the pastor of Mosaic Community Church, an emerging church with values for social justice and sustainability.  As a result, they have remodeled 6,500 square feet to add a full Medical and Dental Clinic in order for the working poor to have access to affordable health care.  Jim and his wife, Lynda, and their three daughters make their home in Seguin, Texas.  Jim completed his MROP at Ghost Ranch in 2006 and also serves as a Weaver with Men As Learners and Elders.

Michael Dunne  |  New York

Michael experienced the Rites of Passage in Arizona in 2005 and has been actively involved in MALEs since that time.  He currently coordinates two retreats for men annually and serves as the convener for the Tri-State region (New York/New Jersey/Connecticut).  Michael is a certified Spiritual Director and a Director of the 19th Annotation Retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.  He and his wife Valerie live on Long Island, New York and have a blended family of five grown children and two granddaughters.

Robin Anker-Petersen | United Kingdom

Robin lives in Perthshire, Scotland, UK.  He did his MROP at Launde Abbey in 2003, and has actively engaged with MALEs UK since 2008 when he was a teaching Elder at Rydal Hall, the First Rites that Fr. Richard encouraged MALEs UK to do with its own team in the UK. In daily life he co-directs a retreat centre in the countryside with his wife, Marianne.  His contemplative practice involves looking after their hens.  Men's work, bird-watching and the arts are among his main interests. He is a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church. bieldatblackruthven.org.uk

Mike Bennett  |  New Mexico

Mike Bennett attended the 2001 Rites of Passage at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  These Rites resulted in a passion and conviction for Mike that all men should at least be offered the opportunity to experience the freedom and liberation that the Rites offer.  He became a Support Elder for MALEs in 2003. In 2005, he moved to Albuquerque to help Stephen Picha and Richard expand the Rites to geographic regions and develop a network of support for initiated men both nationally and internationally.  Mike and his wife, Wendy, continue to live in Albuquerque.

Steve Hicken  |  California

Steve Hicken is father to four sons and has pursued a vocation to promote peace and social justice.  He guided his first family-based rites of passage for his oldest son in 1995 and has completed six others since then, authoring a booklet and DVD on the subject through the CAC.  Steve completed his Men’s Rite of Passage in 2001 at Ghost Ranch. He worked for many years with the Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Venezuela, Mexico and the USA.  Steve currently serves as a Division Director with Catholic Charities, overseeing Refugee Resettlement, Immigration work and other services with the marginalized.  He earned a Masters in Theology from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington.

Jack Ryan  |  Florida

Jack lives in Naples, Florida and did his MROP at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico in 2006. He recently left retirement to become a financial consultant to a real estate developer in Atlanta, Georgia.  He is married and has four sons and four grandchildren.  Jack has been working with Bill Brennan to bring growth to the MALEs program in Florida.  He is excited and honored to be involved as a Council member with the ongoing organization and development of the MALEs program.

Nate Bettger  |  Oregon

Nate Bettger did his MROP in Northern California in 2010. He currently lives in Bend, Oregon and is committed to men's work and inter-generational community (through workshops, a monthly men's fire gathering, community meals, and other village-initiated ceremonies) as necessary elements in growing conscious and aware community|village for generations to come. He is connected with a number of local non-profits and also co-directs Mandala Yoga Community with his wife, Kat. He loves sharing and being at his "urban homestead" with Kat, his newborn son (Brendan), their dog (Coco), and the garden, chickens, and honeybees. His website and blog are at www.natebettger.com.

Matt Sholler  |  ex officio

Matt coordinates Men As Learners and Elders at the CAC. He experienced the Rites at Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona in 2010. He grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, attending a high school staffed by Marianist clergy who awakened him to ideas of social justice, living one’s faith in the contemporary world, and appreciation for many sources of wisdom. He has held various leadership roles helping to build organizations in the public affairs, educational and environmental fields. Matt also has a longstanding love affair with Hispanic cultures and language that includes service with the Peace Corps in Bolivia. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s from MIT.

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