The Community of Reconciliation Update
December 23, 2009
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“If I am to grow into a whole and free person then there must be a harmonious relationship between the inner and the outer. Without it there comes that crippling disunity within myself that will lead to ill-health, whether physical, psychological, or spiritual. External conformity is not enough. The outwardly good behavior that is without interior motivation becomes automatic, deadening.” —Esther de Waal, The Life-Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of Saint Benedict Into the Darkness 
Advent beckons us into the darkness. The ancients faced their deepest fears as their world melted into lengthening night: Might our days finally flicker to a close and night swallow the world forever? Can there possibly be another harvest from these brittle sticks of field and furrow? Will hearth and cellar sustain us through the narrow gates of winter? And from deep storehouses of imagination, community, and rhythms of spiritual attention, they kindled a constellation of light that re-illuminated their world. Sometimes we can hear echoes of their voices in our own spiral toward the coming night of winter. Might my darkness last forever? Can I begin again amidst the rubble? Will my family, friends, and community hold me through to a new hope? Wherever you find yourself along your spiritual journey, you can find resources to light the deepest darkness. Visit a weekly Monday evening gathering for shared learning, silence, and mindful conversation. Join with the Community of Reconciliation as we experience the deep rhythms of centering silence at a mid-winter Monastic Quiet Day. Dialogue guests Esther de Waal, Cynthia Bourgeault, Tim Carrington, , Margaret Guenther, Simon McGurk, and Ron Conner as we explore community, prayer, work, recreation, study, and hospitality at Saturday morning Listening, Hearing, and Living gatherings. Engage online audio and video resources to sound afresh the way of balance and reconciliation. Christ wakens our imagination, greets in our relationships, and abides with us in the daily rhythms of spiritual intention as light in a darkening world. The Community of Reconciliation invites you to a bright constellation of gatherings and events that will help each of us find the light of Christ in darkness. For details or to register, follow the calendar links at right. Or contact us at (202) 537-6217 or companions@cathedral.org for a personal invitation! Listening, Hearing, and Living REGISTER NOW FOR 2010 SERIES GATHERINGS January 9, 2010: Engaging Our Sensate World with Esther de Waal Future speakers also include Cynthia Bourgeault, Tim Carrington, Ron Conner, Margaret Guenther, and Simon McGurk. How can we more fully live as spiritual beings in a physical world? Can we more fully embrace our senses to reveal the divine in every moment? What might the centuries-old rhythms of balance and reconciliation sounded by Saint Benedict teach us about the sacred in work and beauty in our daily living?  Set a course for exploration this New Year with renowned author, poet, and Christian mystic, Esther de Waal at the first of the Community of Reconciliation’s 2010 Listening, Hearing, and Living series. This Saturday session provides a rare opportunity to learn from one of the eminent voices of Benedictine life and thought. As poet, mystic, and scholar Esther will guide our time of conversation, prayer, and reflection with insight, wisdom, and gentle beauty. To learn more and to purchase tickets click here » Participants will explore how to more intentionally bring balance and reconciliation into daily living. These lectures and conversations with Benedictine leaders and scholars deepen our understanding of the core practices of prayer, study, recreation, work, and hospitality and help integrate them into our daily living. Each interactive session offers time for prayer, reflection, and shared community. All are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions, with preference and reduced fees offered for seniors, students, Cathedral Volunteers, and Community of Reconciliation Companions and candidates. Contact Update 
Whether you are a longtime participant in the Community or a brand spanking new, would you take 2 minutes right now to provide your contact information by clicking here » The information is secure, will help us clear up our contact information, and will be used only for Community of Reconciliation communication. Thank you in advance for this assistance! Community Support The Community of Reconciliation was launched with seed funding from an individual donor and a visionary pioneering grant from The F.I.S.H. Foundation— both with our commitment to move toward self-sustenance. Through the giving and resources of Community members we have leveraged these funds well beyond their original goals. As we work to become increasingly self-sustaining, I hope you will consider making a gift in support of the Community. Here is a secure, direct link for gifts of any amount. Make a gift now » Be certain to select the Community of Reconciliation button to direct your gift. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, questions, and ideas, as we shape a sustainable future for the Community. It remains a joy to serve alongside you. Peace on the journey, Holiday and Inclement Weather Schedule The Community honors the Cathedral holiday schedule that aligns with the federal government schedule for holidays and inclement weather, with some exceptions. We do this to reduce confusion and to honor the work of all of our security and maintenance colleagues. Throughout Christmas and New Year, we WILL meet every Monday evening for Benedictine Life and Prayer from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm in the Cathedral Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. It is a great opportunity to find a place of stillness in the midst of the holiday kaleidoscope! Also, plan to join us for the monthly Creating a Rule of Life gathering on Monday, January 4, 2010 following Benedictine Life and Prayer, ending no later than 8:30 pm and for the first of the Listening, Hearing, and Living series as we are joined by Esther de Waal. Visit the Cathedral website for a complete calendar for the upcoming year by clicking here » A New Year Constellation Event The Community of Reconciliation can be experienced through a constellation of gatherings offered by organizations of like mind that seek to foster balance in life and reconciliation in the world. A companion of the Community of Reconciliation has extended an invitation to this New Year’s Peace Pilgrimage in the tradition of Taize. It provides an opportunity to begin the year with deep renewal and a movement toward reconciliation and peace in the world. We encourage you to participate in events that honor the way of Benedict as guest, servant, and reconciler. Details Peace Pilgrimage 2010: A Gospel Beginning To Register To register or for more information e-mail Stefan Waligur at swaligur@yahoo.com “Life is a way of walking through the universe whole and holy.” —Margaret Guenther |
December 23, 2009 Please consider the environment before printing this email. Radical Balance and Reconciliation Wherever you find yourself along your spiritual journey, balance in life and reconciliation in the world can be an increasing part of your life. Anchored by gatherings and resources at Washington National Cathedral, we pray and listen for the divine in our midst, share and explore spiritual wisdom, rest and renew our bodies and spirit, explore and engage our work in the world, and joyfully welcome and encourage those along our journey. Learn More To learn more, view a calendar of events, and access audio and video resources for your spiritual growth, click here » Stay connected To update your contact info click here » Or contact us at Quick Links Make a gift now » Direct link to Community web page » |