Community News and Reflections
The Community of Reconciliation at Washington National Cathedral
August 13, 2010
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The Rule teaches that if we take control of our lives, if we are intentional and careful in how we spend the hours of each irreplaceable day, if we discipline ourselves to live in a balanced and thankful way, we will create from our experiences, whatever they may be, the best possible life. —John McQuiston II, Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living Breakfast and Benedict  Just a few weeks ago, my summer getaway with old friends to a B&B overlooking the shining harbor at Provincetown, Massachusetts drew me into a delicious pattern of leisure, renewal, and awareness of the rhythms that can impact our lives. My regular DC evening commute surrendered to long walks surrounded by sounds of crickets in the cool night breeze. Watching the nightly news was exchanged for a nightly, panoramic moonrise on the horizon viewed from the deck. Afternoon planning sessions at work gave way to power naps on the chaise and bicycle rides to the beach. And breakfast… oh the rhythms of breakfast. Every morning a new feast “appeared” on the deck. With whisk, oven, and griddle our breakfast chef re-calibrated my “raisin bran” view of the breakfast ritual, Keep reading » Welcome to the Community 
Join us in August and September at one of several Welcome to the Community of Reconciliation events to introduce you to the vital life of balance and reconciliation modeled in the community here at Washington National Cathedral. Each session is filled with opportunities for exploration, practical learning, and conversation in dialogue with others on the journey of radical balance and reconciliation. Though designed for inquirers, all are welcome. Attend any or all of the sessions that suit your schedule. Please consider registering as a volunteer to assist with hospitality! Cathedral Congregation Summer Connections Sunday, August 22, 10:10 am, Perry Auditorium with Greg Finch  Come help me introduce the Cathedral Congregation to the spiritual renewal, support, and encouragement offered by the Community. It would be great to have a number of folks from the Community available to visit with inquirers from the Congregation following the event. The morning will be a time for all of us to remember how our daily rhythms can align with ancient yet evergreen frameworks of intention that reorient life, center us in the Holy, and bring refreshing balance to life in our sometimes less than balanced world! From Perry Auditorium we will head down to the nave for worship, Eucharist, and a sermon by the new Cathedral Provost, Tim Boggs. Autumn Monastic Quiet Day  Monastic environments offer the time and place to readily experience the rhythms of silence, reflection, and renewal. Whether for a day or an extended period such experiences help us along our spiritual journey and align us with the great tradition of Benedictine spirituality. Join active contemplative Kurt Aschermann for the Community’s annual Autumn monastic quiet day. The “Quiet Day” begins in our own homes on Friday evening and continues Saturday throughout the beautiful spaces of the Cathedral and grounds of the Cathedral close. All who wish to set aside time and place for silence, reflection, and renewal are welcome. As in a monastery, our day is guided by the rhythms of several practices—intentional silence, observance of the Daily Office, individual and corporate prayer, the Eucharist, reflective reading, shared work, and the taking of meals together. During our time this ‘monastery of the heart’ offers a chance to participate in an authentic contemplative experience in ways that nourish balance in life and reconciliation in the world. A light breakfast is provided. Plan to bring a light lunch to share or purchase one at the Cathedral Store. Celebration Weekend of Intention and Blessing  We are delighted to announce that our good friend and colleague, Esther deWaal, will be joining us for the third anniversary of the community since its inaugural blessing by the Most Rev. Desmond Tutu. The weekend features a constellation of gatherings and events designed to deepen relationships, foster spiritual renewal, honor the intention of friends and colleagues, and celebrate milestones. Attend any or all of the celebration gatherings, as your schedule permits. Details & registration » Calling All Volunteers  The Benedictine model provides for productive work that benefits the Community and brings a tangible aspect to spiritual service. It always turns out to be a lot of fun. Take a look at some of the “gazpacho gathering” volunteers following one of the Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings for an idea of just how much fun… and appetizing it can be! We have a range of volunteer opportunities ahead. You could be the very person who welcomes someone to a new way of being in the world. What a beautiful gift to the world we can offer. We particularly would like an abundance of volunteers for the Welcome to the Community gatherings, as well as hospitality folks for the pilgrimages, retreats, workshops, and monastic quiet days, and it will be all hands on deck for the November 5–7 celebration weekend. Please register NOW as a volunteer for any of the gatherings and events that call to your sense of hospitality and adventure. When registering, simply select the volunteer registration option to help us plan more effectively. You can also give a call to (202) 537-6217 to let us know your plans! Sustaining Our Work in the World  The way of Saint Benedict encourages spiritual communities to be self-supporting. In the same spirit, the Community of Reconciliation is supported by generous gifts from its members and friends, along with individual and foundation support. These meaningful gifts enable us to offer all Community gatherings and many Community and Companion support events and resources without charge and allow us to provide scholarships so that all who have need may participate. |
Summer Connections Sunday, August 22 10:10 AM Weekly Gatherings Monday Evenings 6:15 PM Monthly Gatherings First Monday Evenings 7:45 PM Monthly, Saturdays 10:15 AM Upcoming Gatherings Sunday, August 29, 2010 1:30 PM Monday, August 30, 2010 6:15 PM Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:15 AM Saturday, September 11, 2010 12 PM Monday, September 13, 2010 6:15 PM Sunday, October 3, 2010 2 PM Saturday, October 16, 2010 7:30 AM Friday, November 5, 2010 5:30 PM Sunday, November 28, 2010 2 PM Saturday, January 8, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, February 12, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, February 26, 2011 7:30 AM Saturday, March 5, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, April 9, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, May 14, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, June 11, 2011 10:15 AM Saturday, June 25, 2011 10:15 AM | |
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