Bishop J. Jon Bruno named author Kay Lindahl and Corporation of the Diocese director Robert Johnson as honorary canons of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul during Diocesan Convention, and added Mary Bruno to the ‘Order of Angels’ that he established in 2002 for extraordinary service to the diocese.
Lindahl honored for listening ministry
Lindahl is the founder of The Listening Center in Laguna Niguel, and serves as a teacher and spiritual guide. An ordained interfaith minister, she conducts workshops and retreats around the world on the art of listening for religious, spiritual, community and business groups.
She also founded and serves on the board for The Alliance for Spiritual Community, an interfaith organization promoting dialogue among people of diverse faith traditions and spiritual practices. She serves on the board of directors for The Religious Diversity Faire and the North American Interfaith Network, and is a trustee on the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative and a strong supporter of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. She is a member of Faith Episcopal Church in Laguna Niguel.
Lindahl was an editor of Women, Spirituality and Transforming Leadership: Where Grace Meets Power, recently released by SkyLight Paths Publishing. Lindahl and Bishop Suffragan Mary D. Glasspool, who also contributed to the book, signed copies for convention-goers during the reception on Dec. 2 — and sold out every available copy (additional copies are available from the Cathedral Bookstore at 213.482.2040 and at major booksellers).
Lindahl also is the author of The Sacred Art of Listening and its sequel, Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening: A Guide to Enrich Your Relationships and Kindle Your Spiritual Life, as well as How Does God Listen? a book for children.
Bruno made the presentation to Lindahl just after she facilitated a table discussion among delegates, requesting that they follow specific rules of respectful listening.
He told delegates that the Orange County Register had coincidentally run an article about Lindahl the day before the convention. The article, titled “Is listening becoming a lost art?” may be found here.
Johnson cited for financial acumen
Robert Johnson, a financial consultant with more than 28 years of experience with nonprofit organizations, has served as a director of the Corporation of the Diocese since 2005, and was re-elected to that position at the 2011 convention. Bruno thanked him for his part as a careful manager of the corporation’s assets and guardian of its ministry.
Johnson is a longtime member of St. John’s ProCathedral, where he has served on the vestry and as senior warden. He is a current member of the procathedral’s master planning committee.
Mary Bruno lauded for contributions to community in Southland and Holy Land
Bruno presented his biggest surprise at the Dec. 2 convention reception, attended by some 500 delegates and visitors.
“Anyone who can live with me for almost 30 years must be an angel,” quipped Bruno as he bestowed membership in the Order of Angels on Mary Bruno, his spouse of 27 years.
More seriously, the bishop lauded Mary Bruno for her many years of service to the people and institutions of the diocese, citing her leadership of the Society of Spouses that serves clergy husbands and wives; her service on the board of Holy Family Services, an institution of the diocese that provides adoption services; and her founding and support of Educate for Hope, an organization that raises funds to provide scholarships for Palestinian Christian children in the West Bank village of Zebebdeh.
Bruno presented his wife with framed artwork certifying her membership in the order, which has had only six other members since it was established; R. Bradbury Clark, Richard Seaver, Peter Mann, Jack Plimpton, Henrietta Neal and George F. Regas.