Return from GC79, missions near and far, summer flutists

Most Mondays, as the weather permits, Brother Robert James and I walk 6 miles at a brisk pace between the Rotary Club Caboose in the village of Highland and the far end of the Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge and back. It is an excellent aerobic exercise and it enables us to catch up on our respective weeks. Since we do this regularly at the same time, we get to greet fellow walkers whom we recognize. The Walkway is lightly frequented at that time. It has become so popular that on weekends, it can feel a bit crowded. This weekly walk is a great way to start our Sabbath day.

From top left, clockwise: Brothers Bernard and Robert James feeling accomplished after a 6-mile walk: Br. Robert James keeps a beautiful flower arrangement always fresh at the entrance of our church, as if to say "Welcome, we are glad to you are coming to pray with us," This arrangement features gladioli and bee balm from our gardens.

Little by little our Brothers are returning from The Episcopal Church's 79th General Convention in Austin, Texas. Brother Randy attended in his capacity as one of three chaplains to the House of Bishops. Brother Joseph represented our Order at the CAROA booth (Conference for Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas). And Brother Aidan went to GC79 for 48 hours to preach on St Benedict's Day. We are grateful for their mission work at the Convention.

Our Brothers at the 79th General Convention. From top left, clockwise: Brother Aidan preached at GC79 on St Benedict's Day; Brother Randy with his fellow chaplains to the House of Bishop, The Rev. Miguelina Espinal Howell and Dent Davidson; Brothers Aidan and Randy sampling Tex Mex with friends; Brother Joseph caught in a contemplative moment by Asher Imtiaz for The Living Church; Br. Aidan delivering his sermon.

This weekend, Brother Josép is preaching about St Benedict at St John's in the Village in NYC. On Sunday, I tagged along with Brother Bob in his ministry to two local parishes. We started at Christ Church, in the village of Marlboro, for the 9 a.m. service.

Brother Bob celebrating the Eucharist at Christ Church, Marlboro. From top left, clockwise, with Martha McMullen, most senior member of the church and fellow parishioners; at the altar with Deacon Teri Jones and Senior Warden Bill Ogden; St George stained glass window; gathering before the service; Br. Bob preaching.

And then we moved on to Ascension Church, in West Park, just North of our monastery on Route 9W for an 11 a.m. service.

Br. Bob celebrating the Eucharist at Ascension Church, West Park. From left, clockwise: Br. Bob preaching; the altar party processing in; "mystery monk" vesting in the sacristy.

Br. Bob is now Priest-in-charge in both parishes since May. He has gotten to know the parishioners since January when he started doing supply service in the two churches. He is fitting right in and is already well liked by parishioners.

Last Saturday, I found myself having a whole day free of engagements other than taking Br. Josép to the train station. A whole day free of obligations has become a rare occurrence for me since I became our Prior. At first, I had to contend with a feeling of inadequacy; shouldn't I find something "productive" to keep myself busy with? That would have been an easy alternative but deep down, I knew I needed to enjoy this easy day. On my way back from dropping off Brother Josép at the Poughkeepsie train station, I turned into the village of Highland and went for my first visit to a local micro-brewery. I like to say that built my bespoke session of "Theology on Tap." The micro-brewery and its bar are named Hudson Ale Works. If you enjoy craft beers, you might also check out "Underground Coffee and Ale" on Highland's main street. They have a great selection of micro-brews and serve good coffee and food too.

I had taken a good book on the life of Jesus by Christin Pedotti (unfortunately, it isn't translated in English yet). It mixes scholarly overviews on what we now know or can infer about the life of Jesus and narrative passages told in the voice of disciples or attendees to events of Jesus' life.

As I sat down at the bar, I noticed that one of the housemade beers was named MonkHe See, MonkHe Do (a Belgian style dubbel). It seemed that I had to try that. But the choices were so appealing that included that one in a flight of four beers. All were well made and enjoyable and MonkHe See, MonkHe Do turned out to be my favorite.

I mentioned to the bar person that I was a monk at Holy Cross Monastery up the road and a fellow customer asked me a few questions but was clearly wary that I might try to proselytize him. So I soon returned to my book. I sipped on my beers for a couple of hours and went home feeling very leisurely indeed.

Solo Theology on Tap in Highland. From top left, clockwise: one of my current spiritual readings; the micro-brewery from the street (it was too muggy to sit on their terrace); the beer menu; the front of the house (you can catch glimpses of the brewery through glassed doors inside).

As always, we had a lot of varied guests, this week. There was a Flute Masters Class, taught by our friend and renowned flutist Gary Schoker. When I took his picture holding the "invisible flute," he reckoned this was his 43rd Master Class at the Monastery! We always enjoy the musical phrases that escape from every meeting room during his class and we are grateful for the frequent concert that accompanies the class. As is often the case, we had seminarians and writers in attendance. Do you have a writing project in sufferance that would benefit from a Monastery retreat?

Christ amongst us as Guests. From top left, clockwise, newly married Le Ann and Christopher Li, from NYC, with Bernard; Le Ann and Christopher who is starting studies at General Theological Seminary; Gary Schocker demonstrating the "Invisible Flute"; Carl Adair, from Brooklyn, NY, took time away from routine to focus on writing his PhD thesis before starting seminary at Union Theologicl Seminary; first-time visitor Valérie Wattenberg, from NYC, with local and frequent visitor, John Chichester.

Keeep cool! Blessings!