An Incomplete Publishing History

I have defaulted in regard to my publishing history to a short form of various publications locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Recently a supervisor asked if it was easy to see some of it, so that’s what started this journey.

Of course some are lost to the ether as I never tracked a copy, left behind in various youth & children & young adult ministries all those lessons, talks, curriculums and trainings for volunteers (yes I consider that publishing, as sharing live has it out there), or the super fun nuts and bolts of program policy and procedure manuals to meet and pass licensing and accreditation standards, many interviews on various justice topics that I never saved a copy of, or the litany of free e-books released, and the many blog posts and guest blog posts on the various sites I gave content to and raised up readers and debate through, oh and did I mention the training sessions in the various jobs I have had, my co-facilitated Inclusion Lens workshop at ACDS Conference one year, and the policy documents and statements crafted and written for various political parties, and a few other religious publications I have forgotten about.

So it is as complete as I can share, if you were apart of a training, talk, presentation and want to share in the comments what it was that is not on the list please feel free.

Books:

Soul Ripples (Bookstand publishing, 2019)

Bard’s Spirit: Shakespeare’s Social Gospel (Bookstand Publishing, 2009)

Pilgrimage to the Heart of the Sacred (Bookstand Publishing, 2008)

• One Voice in Protest: Poems in Hope (Palabras Press, 2008)
• American Society of Quality Control Training Manual (Calgary Section, 1994-95 edition, Editor).

Research:

Lose the Soul, Lose the Community: The Role of Community in Healing & Ending Homelessness (Eisner Institute & The Mustard Seed, 2010)

Short-Term Mission Reasearch Committee (Canadian Theological Seminary, 2006)

Multi-Culturalism and Community Connections (Canadian Theological Seminary, 2005-2006)

Political Discernment Process and the Church (Alberta Bible College, 2004)

Articles/Stories/Poems:

Why a Church? (Winter 2021, Presbyterian Connection -exploring Addiction Studies Students and their practicum)

Communion in the Neighbourhood (Fall 2021, Presbyterian Connections)

Homecoming (Summer 2019, Presbyterian Connection)

Vacation Bible School Creates Belonging (Winter 2018, Presbyterian Connection)

Ways to be a Church that visitors will want to call home (EQ4 Presbyterian Church in Canada Leadership resource)

We Are Circles Not Pizza Pieces (CCYA Journal 2008)

Fading Bow (Palabras Press, 2008)

2004-2007 Anglican Sower- From the Depths to the Joy of Ministry, Why join a religious order?, An Open Letter to Christians of Calgary, Summer Highs, Building a Youth Ministry (or is that a mystery?), Youth Engage in Soul Revolution, Serving the Voiceless: Running for Parliament,

2005 Presbyterian Record Love the Story, Love God

2004 Presbyterian Record Unlocking the Kingdom: A Youth Minister asks Teens why the won’t enter church

2003-2006 Editor of The Alberta Democrat and lead writer (Alberta Politics from a Practical Communist to socialist to progressive bent), including monthly column, View from the Pew.

Franciscan Times (was an editor as well) 2004-2006, poems, theological articles-Political Activism and Faith- A Canadian Candidacy, Lord Make us Intruments of your peace,

THAW (An Anglican Canadian Publication) 2004-2006, poems and theological articles around Anglicanism i.e. Becoming a Peacemaker, Inerrancy of Scripture in the Anglican Communion, Anglicanism Today-Same Sex Blessings, Lex Orendi- Lex Credendi,

Press release for Countess Country Museum circa windstorm of 2018 that got story covered in Brooks Bulletin of destruction on museum project.

2012-2014 online & social media articles for Playin’ 4 Keeps and the Playhouse Community Tour raising funds for Alberta Children’s Hospital and Children’s Wish with Countess Country Museum

2007 Finding the Centre (a self-care publication with HOPE Work Experience at Hull)

2000’s various short pieces in Sun & Herald around homelessness, ableism, and other justice issues

2000- Wall of Honour Biography for Colonel Belcher Hospital (R.H. May, my Granddad)

Adaptation for Survival (ASQC, 1996 on of the top 10 resources of the year)

Preparation the Key to Success for Certification (ASWC 1996, one of the top 10 resources of the year)

1995-1996 School’s Out Section of the Calgary Sun- Guy’s View on Grad Dates, PM’s Answers Leave Teen Cold, Angel’s Wings Clipped (in support of continued government funding for Angels in America at ATP); Don’t Rename Breaks, Door Slams in Face of Chivalry, Summer Schooling (first piece on schools that used year round calendar), Love Transcends All (when I was let go as a columnist due to too many death threats for supporting same sex marriage).

Zed & The Prophets (Calgary Board of Education, 1996- banned due to a bi-sexual character)

Legend of the Soap Bunny (Junior Achievement, 1994)

Dorian’s Way (Writerific Anthology, 1990)

Sir Arthur and the Knights (Calgary Board of Education, 1987)

The Great War (Cecil Swanson School Library 1988)

BMX & Me (Cecil Swanson Newsletter 1986)

Interviews:

2018- The distinction between inclusion and belonging, with Ty Ragan, Psy.D. – LIGHT NEWS RADIO

Aug. 28, 2017 Global- Bussing Issues create headaches for students with disabilities (speaking of medically complex kids being left outside in 30+ temps with smoke from the forest fires)

2004-2006 on restorative justice, social issues of NE Calgary, Sex Trafficking, with the Calgary Herald, Global News, and Calgary Sun.

Public Readings:

What’s Shaking (July, 2019, Dalhousie Community Church) Soul Ripples book launch, and public lecture on Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures

Alexandra Writers Centre Society 1995-2000 on various short stories and poems on a quarterly basis.

2008 poetry book launch at Wild Strawberry Art Studio Calgary

Short movie:

The Stranger (writer), Campbell-Stone United Church circa 2005

During 2000-2005 there was about 8 plays written and performed at various churches

The Problems with Killing 1996, Alberta Theatre Projects Theatreblitz

Public Talks , Pulpit Supply and Curriculum creation (for Children through to young adults & adults):

Within Anglican Church of Canada, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Presbyterian Church in Canada; Mustard Seed Street Ministry, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad (3 summers) chapel; Moravian Church, Evangelical Lutheran Churches, United Church of Canada, Universal Church of the Master, Unity of Calgary from 1998-Present on various topics of Psychology, homelessness, social gospel, discipleship, confirmation, grieving, pastoral care, disabilities, justice, addictions, spiritual formation exercises, life coaching, Marian Theology, Franciscan Theology, program design and building,

Life Celebration Services:

2000-2018 Mustard Seed & Drop In Centre for residents, clients and guests

2000-2013 for family and friends creating the Celebration of life liturgies

Breathe A Reflective Guide

Shared again to include the Land Acknowledgement I crafted:

Land Acknowledgement

We are treaty people, who have not always honoured or lived into the consecrated nature of treaty here on Treaty 7. We are in treaty, as settlers, with peoples in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda, and Metis Region 3. We can struggle to hear the authentic truth of genocide, while trying to understand what it means to live Reconciliation, in Mohkinstsis, known as Calgary. We are thankful for all that this land, and our relationships in healing have given us.

This week as we enter the love ourselves portion of the compass; it is about taking time to breathe. Which can be a triggering statement for many, yet at its core, is about centering in the holy presence within, through and without the interconnection of creation. The chapter, for those engaging, will see the personal and communal crisis that intersect, and how all these pieces interplay within our own holistic (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health), as well, for the helper/advocate how easy it is to disengage from our own care to continue the struggle for a better world to our own detriment.

Before this Thursday, take time to breathe. Engage in this body scan, to slow down, and reconnect the pieces of us we tend to keep separate:

Mindfulness – Body Scan – Anxiety Canada

Questions:

For Breathe from No Stranger:

1. When someone says to you, breathe, what do you feel?

2. When have we had an intersection of personal and communal crisis as Kaur was sharing? What were our perceived responsibilities (i.e., work, church, volunteer activities, etc.) that we continued to push through? What happened? What did you learn in the process?

3. It is easy for us to wonder into the USA context Kaur writes from, but what are communal crisis or changes in Calgary or Alberta that we need to practice breathe? Remember that change happens in life, what is usually forgotten in the process of change is that it brings grieving with it, it can be instantaneous such as our favourite brand of coffee is out of stock at the grocery store, or longer term with health, career changes, or loss of loved ones. But being present, through breathing can aid (for more on being present you may want to explore U Theory).

Belonging Pyramid

Accessibility is the removal of physical barriers to existence.

Inclusion is simply after getting through physical barrier removal there is a space for you.

Belonging you are welcomed for the full divine person you are, no strings attached, no codifiers, no “yeah buts”. You simply are “I am” and welcomed into the community as a full participant, and the scariest part the community needs to affirm with belonging, is that when you are gone… they will grieve.

All this inverted pyramid is propped up by Love (Agape- kindness, compassion, welcome).

Why inverted? Simple, accessibility should be the easiest, as it is design/retrofit based. Inclusion as it is simply saying the circle is drawn wide enough that one can belong.

Belonging though is the trick, for it is that moment of acknowledging and welcoming the person-hood of the other. The “My Neighbour” life embraced and lived out in community, no qualifiers. For the spiritual, this pyramid is the teaching of Brother Jesus, and many others whose mark we have missed.

Read more thoughts on here.

Dust Jacket Reviews-Archives

Ty Ragan is a colleague who can unfold the mystery of science, metaphysics and spirituality with down to earth conversations and understandings; helping you, the seeker, to see how we really are already all connected and a part of oneness.

-Rev. Deirdre Leighton

I find Ty’s writing to always be insightful and inspiring. As a member of the LGBTQ++ community, I am usually apprehensive to reading blogs from Christian authors. Ty’s is the exception – regardless of your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc – his blog is inclusive and has a message for everyone.

-Sam Perry, Student

Ty Ragan and his teaching mentored me both professionally and personally. He taught me about boundaries, the importance of silence and to continue to pursue making my corner of the world a better place. He’s full of compassion and wit. He fights for the important things to him and inspires others to do the same. He taught me that the impact of truly listening to others will never be a waste. I have found that this teaching bears much wisdom and grace. I’m so grateful for the way he’s impacted my life.

-Kelly McGregor, RPC (Counsellor at Restore Counselling)

“He walks his talk”

“You are what we term a Wisdom Keeper”

–From Light News Radio broadcast March 28, 2018

I have had the opportunity to work alongside Ty for close to 5 years. throughout this time, I learned more about myself and the role I played as a social worker. Whether it was a formal staff meeting seminar on grief and loss or a conversation over coffee, Ty had a way of growing an individual without them being consciously aware of it happening. Ty brings a passion to teaching that is rare in the field and his experiences to show you that anything is possible. I am eternally grateful for his teaching and friendship.

-Scott Hofstetter, RSW

Ty always puts people first. He walks with you to find faithful solutions to any challenges life throws at you.

-Paul Vargis, Yoga Instructor; 2004 Provincial Election Candidate; 2011 Federal Election Candidate

Awarded Honourary Doctor of Divinity (2009) for social justice work. Awarded Honourary Doctor of Metaphysics (2010) for theology teaching. A community found a way to ordain him in 2010 after he stopped his discernment for ordination due to ableism. In 2006 completed the Munay-ki rites for a Wisdom Keeper. McKillop Awards for Community Services Nominee (2012). Calgary Northeast Federal Election Candidate (2006).

“Brilliant” and “Thought Provoking” about Awaiting Inspiration (part of Belonging Pyramid).

-Deb

“when it was my darkest and I thought no one cared, you told me to come home. Who knew Come Home would be such a life changer”

-Anonymous (former resident client)

My Neighbour

Who is My Neighbour?

An eternal question with the simplest of answers we refuse to hear due to our entrenchments that “I” is always right in beliefs, culture, race, gender, religion/spirituality, politics, paradigms, etc.

Yet, the answer is found throughout the meta-narrative foundation myths/legends/stories of our existence.

In monasticism communities and individuals vow to follow a way of living. It is taken as a whole being, in communion with all of creation, it is simply called a “Rule of Life” or “Rule of Ministry.” It basically is covenanting to not live as an asshole.

It has been many years since I have renewed my Rule pledge, it has transformed, grown and contracted over time, yet it comes back to two simple things, a teaching and a story…that echo from 2000 years ago, and many more thousand years old to those stories and movements I am drawn to today.

Who is My Neighbour?

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

-Matthew 22:37-40 (New King James Version)

and…

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

²⁷ So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’^[a] and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”^[b]

²⁸ And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, when he departed,^[c] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

³⁷ And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

-Luke 10:25-37 (New King James Version)

Our world can be transformed…one simple act of kindness at a time, by seeing our neighbour before us.

Bio-Archives

Archives-Spirit Animal

Below is a robin, it is an animal with affinity to my family, with the passing of my Granddad at 16, then my Nan on 2012 and my Mum in 2013, the same Robin family around my life home has provided comfort, solace, and soemtimes visions for me to be guided by.

Spirit Animal

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Ty Ragan has a brilliant, creative mind. He constantly seeks knowledge and creative outlets, blessing the world with his writings and blogs.

-Deidre Wilson Smith

Order

Bookstand Publishing, 2008

Bookstand Publishing,  2009

• One Voice in Protest: Poems in Hope (Palabras Press, 2008)
• American Society of Quality Control Training Manual (Calgary Section, 1994-95 edition, Editor).

From the Archives: Legend of the Soap Bunny

Back from the lost era of the 1990’s, in a program known as Junior Achievement, where high school students one night a week, with corporate volunteers created companies and ran through from beginning to closure and sold products.

In this wild time, I was a VP of Production, back when there was craft stores in malls, where googlie eyes, ribbon, cotton tails and bath beads would be purchased, so a wash cloth could by folded to look like a bunny–

A Soap Bunny

For the annual report at the end, a legend, and bit of fun–

Healing with(in) presentation (archives)

This is definitely from my Teduray-Franciscan work on community building. Stumbled across it on another site it had been uploaded to, 2 years ago (I would say circa 2007-12 in my timeline).

Presentation here.

 

Healing With(in) Presenter: Ty Ragan. What is the Root? Change is the root Change is the root Response is the cause Response is the cause Each change.https://player.slideplayer.com/26/8335879/