-----------Community of the Holy Spirit

May 2013

In this issue
Iris in bloom
Dear friends,

Once again we find ourselves offering frequent prayer for those many people who are suffering the damage and grief that result from extreme weather conditions. We continue to be spared, and are deeply grateful for this good fortune.

Here in the Northeast the chilly spring seems to have been a delight to our flowering plants, trees and bushes. We've had several weeks of blossoms appearing everywhere one looks.

We hope you, too, are both spared and blessed in this season of change and abundant life!
 
The Sisters of CHS
 
The City in bloom
The gardens at St. Hilda's House are glad for the recent rain and the lovely sunshine. The plants are well established now and are quite beautiful. The lavender, thyme and other exciting things are blooming on the lower roof.  
 
Sr. Elise tells us that when we moved into the new building 2-1/2 years ago she was taller than this tree! Sr. Mary Christabel can often be found sitting in the sunshine and Sr. Jerolynn Mary has been growing sweet peas to transplant outdoors soon. 

We also discovered one very ambitious tomato plant with five blossoms already in the ground level garden ... maybe it portends a good year for veggies in the city garden.

Interns move on
Helena Marie, CHS

Meredith Claire CB Stewart
Congratulations 
to a number of our former interns and volunteers, who graduated from Union Theological Seminary on Friday, May 17th!  It has been so rewarding for us to accompany them from a distance on their seminary journey, and to be part of that journey during the summer months they spent with us here on the farm.
 
Lindsey We feel confident that the future will be bright for them, and that they have emerged from seminary as forward-thinking, compassionate leaders with a passion for justice, including food justice, and a bit of farming under their belts!

[Photos, clockwise from upper left: Meredith Kadet, Claire West, CB Steward, Lindsey Briggs. Read further and see more photos here.] 
 
Companions move on
The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie, CHS
[The following is an excerpt from Suzanne's lovely article "Prevenient Grace." Read the entire piece here.]

...
Bill and I knew we'd have to leave the farm sometime (for financial reasons) to take the steps to prepare for our future as we age, to slow down, to make room for the youthful energy present and growing at Bluestone Farm. But the moment rushed to meet us suddenly when we found a bargain on a house in Woodstock.

Prevenient Grace. That's the grace that goes ahead of you and meets you when you catch up. "I go before you to prepare a place for you" (John 14:3). Jesus is talking about his ascension, but this year it seems to mean Ulster County. A ministry is being prepared for us there. Who knows what it will look like? Some time after Pentecost Sunday, we'll be sent forth like apostles into the unknown of grace going before us.

...  

As I have written before, in both my books, "Every time I have ever moved, I have had to learn to pray all over again...." But I also learn, again and again, the value of placing trust in grace. So Bill and I leave the farm with sorrow and at the same time anticipating that which will be revealed within the unknown of the grace preceding us.  

Book Review
Mary Elizabeth, CHS
A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman's Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide 
Mark D. Siljander, HarperOne 2008

This is a record Christian, Jewish and Muslim studies. The author, an Evangelical Christian, began with his initial distorted fear and hatred, but surprised himself by discovering that there were paths for understanding, and committed himself to building friendships along them.

He records much of his research, so this is an introduction to the linguistic roots of the three religions and fundamental ways in which they agree--or don't.

Capital Campaign


Help us over the top!

We are soooo close to the end, but we need your help to get there. Anything you can do will be deeply appreciated! If you have any questions please let us know.

Your pledge will help us upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems in the large house currently being used as the convent, help the sisters focus more deeply on our ministries here, and model good stewardship of the buildings in our care.

You can donate via PayPal here, or use one of the methods below.


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Follow our progress and pledge online here.

If you prefer mail, please send your pledge to:
Community of the Holy Spirit

Attn: Capital Campaign
118 Federal Hill Road
Brewster, NY 10509-5307

CHS on the web
Follow our Capital Campaign

Read the latest news, follow the campaign progress, and of course you can also pledge here!
Readings on the CHS Blog

Helena Marie, CHS

The Rev. Matthew Wright
Pentecost sermon 
Community of the Holy Spirit | 845-363-1971
Brewster, NY 10509

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