Community Leader
Fear not, for God will be unto us a helper, a mariner, and a pilot. May God do unto us his servants and his little vessel as he willeth.
- Saint Brendan
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About Our Community Leader
Walter L. McFadden, or "Walt" as prefers to be called, is the founder and leader of the Saint Brendan's community.
Walt was ordained in 1999, and has served congregations of the Liberal Catholic Church, the International Council of Community Churches, and the United Church of Christ.
Saint Brendan's was founded to provide an alternative model of spiritual community. About Saint Brendan's, Walt has this to say:
"Saint Brendan's represents the rediscovery, in our time, of an ancient spirituality which combines the best of both our Christian and pre-Christian spiritual heritages. In a day and time when people are increasingly insulated and cut off from creation, we are in desperate need of a way of life that reconnects us with the divine, which is not only transcendent but fully immanent and accessible in creation-including in the hearts of our fellow human beings. God is here-among us and within us. It is our task in this life to foster an awareness of that divine presence and allow it to work through us to bring healing to each other and all of creation. Saint Brendan's is an experiment in what it means to believe in and share radical grace within the context of community. In our circle, all are welcome to come and experience the presence and embrace of the Christ, our brother and true soul friend."
Walt's breadth of knowledge of traditional Christianity as well as esoteric schools of thought make him a valuable resource for the spiritual seeker. He comments:
"Too many people today find themselves in quite a quandary. On the one hand, they long for a church that is open to spiritual ideas that are usually rejected by orthodox Christianity. On the other hand, Christian imagery, ritual, and mythology form their spiritual frame of reference and are still deeply meaningful to them. Yet they find that most churches or spiritual centers that offer the openness they seek shy away from anything resembling classic Christian imagery, ritual, and mythology, while churches that do offer those things fail to offer the freedom of spiritual thought and inquiry for which the seeker longs. People should not have to choose between one or the other. Saint Brendan's embraces both ways, and in so doing fulfills a profound need for people today."
On a more personal note…
Walt's hobbies include tropical gardening, flute playing (Irish and Native American), and playing the English Concertina. Walt is also a fan of quality tattoo artwork and sports some excellent examples on his person.
Walt holds membership in the following organizations: the fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; the Theosophical Society in America; the Houston Highland Games Association; the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids; Reformed Druids of North America; and the Ancient Order of Druids in America.
Walt has been very happily married since 1992. He and his wife, Charlene, are the proud adoptive parents of two Pomeranians, Wolfie and Frodo.
Walt receives no remuneration for his services to Saint Brendan's, preferring to earn his living by secular means.
Walt was ordained in 1999, and has served congregations of the Liberal Catholic Church, the International Council of Community Churches, and the United Church of Christ.
Saint Brendan's was founded to provide an alternative model of spiritual community. About Saint Brendan's, Walt has this to say:
"Saint Brendan's represents the rediscovery, in our time, of an ancient spirituality which combines the best of both our Christian and pre-Christian spiritual heritages. In a day and time when people are increasingly insulated and cut off from creation, we are in desperate need of a way of life that reconnects us with the divine, which is not only transcendent but fully immanent and accessible in creation-including in the hearts of our fellow human beings. God is here-among us and within us. It is our task in this life to foster an awareness of that divine presence and allow it to work through us to bring healing to each other and all of creation. Saint Brendan's is an experiment in what it means to believe in and share radical grace within the context of community. In our circle, all are welcome to come and experience the presence and embrace of the Christ, our brother and true soul friend."
Walt's breadth of knowledge of traditional Christianity as well as esoteric schools of thought make him a valuable resource for the spiritual seeker. He comments:
"Too many people today find themselves in quite a quandary. On the one hand, they long for a church that is open to spiritual ideas that are usually rejected by orthodox Christianity. On the other hand, Christian imagery, ritual, and mythology form their spiritual frame of reference and are still deeply meaningful to them. Yet they find that most churches or spiritual centers that offer the openness they seek shy away from anything resembling classic Christian imagery, ritual, and mythology, while churches that do offer those things fail to offer the freedom of spiritual thought and inquiry for which the seeker longs. People should not have to choose between one or the other. Saint Brendan's embraces both ways, and in so doing fulfills a profound need for people today."
On a more personal note…
Walt's hobbies include tropical gardening, flute playing (Irish and Native American), and playing the English Concertina. Walt is also a fan of quality tattoo artwork and sports some excellent examples on his person.
Walt holds membership in the following organizations: the fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; the Theosophical Society in America; the Houston Highland Games Association; the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids; Reformed Druids of North America; and the Ancient Order of Druids in America.
Walt has been very happily married since 1992. He and his wife, Charlene, are the proud adoptive parents of two Pomeranians, Wolfie and Frodo.
Walt receives no remuneration for his services to Saint Brendan's, preferring to earn his living by secular means.
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