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EESTI ELU reedel, 22. jaanuaril 2021 — Friday, January 22, 2021
On pride 40 Christmases ago I received a very valuable present from Inge and Andres Tork. By happenstance that gift, C. S. Lewis’ book “Mere Chris tianity” surfaced at the end of last year, to be read once again. The Torks were devout Christians, pillars of St. Peter’s Estonian Lutheran Church, where I was at the time a member of the congre gation’s youth choir “Lootus”, along with the Tork offspring. The elder Torks did not pro selytize or attempt to convince me of the values of Christianity, even though in many ways I grew up in a heathen family. They left it to the individual to discover faith, evaluate Christian apologetics, ethics and theology – in fact, as the back cover of Lewis’ book states, “all the central problems of belief and conduct which face Christianity today.” In 1994 Inge and Andres Tork tragically perished while on a cross-country skiing expedition in Pennsylvania, caught
in an unexpected blizzard. I regret that I never properly thanked them for their efforts on my behalf. I also wonder what they would make of the present state of affairs at St. Peter’s – Andres Tork was for many years the dedicated chairman of the church council. We know Clive Staples Lewis primarily as the author of the series of children’s books, The Chronicles of Narnia, most notably “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” However, it is with “Mere Christianity” that he left a lasting mark on the Western world. The framework of the book is based on three lectures that Lewis delivered on the radio during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It is important to note, that just as many other people seeking understanding of the mysteries of life, Lewis was for many adulthood years an atheist. Describing his conver sion in 1929 in the book “Surprised by Joy” he writes: “In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God … perhaps the most dejected and reluctant convert
New energy and expertise at the helm of International Estonian Centre Along with the new International Estonian Centre in Toronto being slated to break ground, the team shepherding the build and the Centre’s ongoing operations is also taking shape. International Estonian Centre Inc. (IECI) is owned by Estonian House in Toronto Limited and is the entity responsible for building the Centre and for its sustainable operations. New directors have agreed to join the board and are ready to roll up their sleeves to make the community’s new home the best it can be. IECI will focus on oversight of the new centre’s construction, refining the facilities management plan and the events business plan, and tenanting the leasable space. It will also further develop the sustainability plan for the centre to generate community support. While the IEC Steering Committee will continue to be available to advise, it is the IECI board’s job to get this building built. “It is a testament to the mammoth effort and vision of so many over the past several years, that the project attracts the subject-matter expertise and enthusiasm of these new board members,” said IEC Steering Committee Chair, Ellen Valter. “This team is well equipped to lead the charge. With groundbreaking for this landmark building nearly at hand, we are on the threshold of a most exciting
Kalev Hess
and important phase of realizing this beautiful new home for our local, national and international Estonian community.” Why the Centre inspires these volunteers to contribute their skills: Kalev Hess, B.Comm, CPA, CA, CFA, Principal with Fraser Mackenzie Merchant Capital, a private equity and mezzanine debt fund that invests in private companies and works with management and owners to optimize financial performance. “The IEC project represents a ‘once in a lifetime’ oppor tunity to bring a renewed energy and cohesion to all generations of the Estonian community. I’m hopeful this excitement will serve to inspire old friends to reconnect and new friend ships to be made. Eestlus has always been such a significant part of my life, and ensuring that future generations have the same opportunity to under stand and explore their heritage is important to me. The IEC will be central to providing such opportunities to our youth. We must ensure that it operates in a way that is financially viable, both now and into the future.” Laas Hess, B.B.A., J.D., in-house lawyer with Loblaw Companies in real estate law and commercial leasing. Laas has been involved in strengthen-
Heili Toome
Laas Hess
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in all England.” That experience allowed the author to “understand not only apathy but active unwillingness to accept religion.” Belief and faith are personal – no forced conversion, as took place during the Crusades and for centuries afterward, will ever take true root. Lembit Tork, a very dear friend for more than those 40 years, lives in Estonia with his wonderful family. In my New Year’s greeting to the Tallinn Torks, I mentioned that I had recently re-read Lewis’ book. The return greeting emphasized one chapter – for Lembit the most important one in the work. “The Great Sin”. A quote from that chapter’s first paragraph: “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves.” That vice is Pride or SelfConceit. Lewis notes that the “virtue opposite it, in Christian morals, is Humility.” Pride is the utmost evil. It leads to every
other vice, as it did with the devil. Pride is competitive by nature. Not as in sports, but in the desire to attain the pleasure of being above all the rest. Whether financially, through appearance or achievement it is by its very definition a trait that cleaves humanity. For if all were good-looking and wealthy, as Lewis chooses as his example, then there is no competition, no reason to be proud. Pride is enmity. Ironically, a certain community has chosen just this word to march under, absolutely misunderstanding the significance. For, as Lewis emphasizes, that fatal flaw engendered through pride is not only between individuals, but is truly enmity to God. He notes “in God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself.” Further, as long as one remains proud one cannot know God. That is the key to Lewis’ argument – pride means looking down on others, and doing so one cannot see what is above one. This, of course,
leads to that nasty offspring of pride, hubris. As recently demonstrated by far too many, including a resident of the White House.
ing local and international relations between Estonians in Canada and the Baltic Region of the European Union and, most recently, as an Estonian House board member. “The Estonian community has been a major part of my life. I’ve spent countless hours at the Estonian House and Tartu College and now have four young children. I want to make sure they have a place where they can go.”
Bob Spokowski, B. Eng., M. Eng., a 40-year veteran of the construction industry and former structural engineer and project manager with PCL Construction, an innovator in major building projects. He oversaw complex projects such as the construction of three subway tunnels in Toronto and other structures in Canada and the U.S. “My wife is Estonian and I’ve been hearing about this project for some time. Now I’m into it. I’ve looked through the plans and drawings and the more information I get on the new centre, the more impressed I am. There is a great team in place here, all the research has been done, and we’re ready to go.” Martin Tiidus, BA, LL.B., J.D., lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in the field of civil litigation and alternate dispute resolution with extensive trial and appellate experience representing major property and casualty insurers. “When I look back at what our parents achieved for our community with very few resources, it’s the inspiration we can use to keep going. We have the opportunity with this project to create something very special that we can all be proud of. For me, getting involved is a way to give back to the community I grew up with.”
time Estonian community volunteer and leader, she is fully aligned with the future the Centre represents. “I am very much invested in the future of the Estonian community and I see this Centre as the central pillar for this. I want a place for all things Estonian for my kids to call home, just as I had growing up. I’m truly honoured to be part of this team to contribute my passion and skills to help take the right steps to secure a bright future for our community as a whole.”
Veiko Parming, B.A.Sc., M.S.T., Principal Consultant with CPCS Transcom Limited specializing in transportation sector policy, economics and strategy, and now serving his third term as president of the Estonian House. “I’ve been very involved in the Estonian community for a long time. The momentum we have to build the new centre is really strong now, and I’m keenly interested to see this new Centre get built and work well for our community. I look forward to working with this expanded team to help make the Centre a success.” Blake Royer, BA, MBA, Co-Founder and President of RFA Labs, which builds technology platforms for the mortgage industry is a serial entrepreneur familiar with bootstrappoing a small team to take an idea into reality, with wide experience in finance, technology and energy sectors; he is also an Estonian House board member. “The strength of the Estonian community in Toronto is extraordinary and unique in the world. As my kids get involved and adopt their Estonian identity, I see that the new centre is for their future. I’m honoured to volunteer my time to make this a success.”
Veiko Parming
Heili Toome, B.Comm, vice-president of marketing for Shift Transit, a leading mobility operations company including the popular Bike Share program in Toronto. A skilled team builder, Heili has launched and scaled startups as well as established brands, exceedingcustomer and revenue targets. A long
Blake Royer
In our troubled times, where, alas, entitlement is rearing its ugly head, the values fostered by Christianity are, if not ignored, then, even worse, vilely mocked. C.S. Lewis deserves a focussed reading. This will not end the pandemic, banish the virus that is predicted to become endemic, just like chicken pox for children. Intellectual narcissists will never disappear. Nor will the sin of pride. But a return to Humility will almost certainly bolster humanity, making our world a better place for all. Vanity and pride have no place in the common weal. As the converted theologian concludes this chapter in a most valuable book, “if you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” TÕNU NAELAPEA
Get involved and help support our future Are you interested in helping build this spectacular new home for the global Estonian community? Please join our growing list of capital campaign donors! The International Estonian Centre’s donor categories are Kalevi poja Laud for gifts over $100,000 (including naming rights for specific areas), for gifts over $10,000, and Kungla Rahvas for gifts up to $10,000. Stay tuned for the launch of the Kungla Rahvas campaign in 2021. To make a donation, please contact donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All Canadian and U.S. donations will be issued a tax receipt. Let’s keep in touch! • Visit our website www.estoniancentre.ca for all the latest news • Sign up for our monthly email newsletter at www.estoniancentre.ca • Follow us EestiKeskus
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