YASC'ers, a Women's Group and the Aidan Community

This past week, the monastery welcomed a dozen young adults who are discerning their participation in The Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps (YASC). Several church staff members and contributors participated in the effort under the loving and competent guidance of Elizabeth Boe, Mission Personnel Officer for the program. Several of our Brothers participated in the ongoing discernment, as did Bishop Paul Bayes of Liverpool, UK, whose diocese hosts YASC missionaries. YASC often visits the monastery up to three times in the year. In the winter for the discernment program, in the late spring for the orientation of soon-departing YASC'ers and in the fall for the debriefing of those YASC'ers returning from their mission. It's always a joy and an honor to welcome these altruistic young people into our home.

Br. Robert James leading the potential YASC'ers in Art Therapy which he long taught before becoming a priest.

Many of the discernment program participants in the refectory.

This weekend, we welcomed a large women's group from Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, NJ. The Noreaster storm delayed some of them arriving until Saturday morning but about 20 of them enjoyed their retreat.

Also this weekend, we welcomed a group of six young Christians who live in intentional community in Roanoke. The Aidan Community wanted some time with their namesake Brother, of course. One of their members is a Holy Cross Associate and was coming here for his retreat. When he offered his fellow community members to accompany him and discover the monastery, they all joined in.

The Aidan Community from Roanoke, VA, with our Br. Aidan (seated second from right).

All this meant that we had large groups of people worshiping with us in the church, including lots of young people. Yeah! Thanks be to God!

Quiet moment before the start of the daily Eucharist.

Br. Randy flew to Texas this weekend, despite the Noreaster to work as one of the Chaplains to the House of Bishops that is meeting near Houston this week.

Br. Robert James, our Superior returned from his one month visitation to our South African Brothers this past Tuesday and is mostly recovered from the jet lag and long journey (30 hours door-to-door).

Lenten Blessings to All.