You may be (and I hope you are!) wondering what that strange header photo is all about. Here is the beginning of the explanation ...

The CHS Capital Campaign was officially ended on August 24 at a joint celebration with our Foundation Day. We were just a few thousand dollars shy of our campaign goal on the 24th, but in the few short days following, several contributions came in and the goal has been met!!!!

Rejoice with us!!

This newsletter is our way of beginning to thank all of you for your generosity of spirit, prayer, and pocketbook, and to let you know how your precious gifts are being used. You are making this work possible, our lives simpler and more sustainable, our mission more actively realized. We will keep you informed as work progresses.

Bless all of you, each and every one!!!

P.S. If you missed viewing the video series "The Nuns of Bluestone Farm" (three short chapters), you can find the link in the sidebar on the right.

The first step in replacing the plumbing system at St. Cuthbert's convent is to "front-end" the water supply with a water softener.

Though this may seem like a luxury to many people, we have been blessed with delicious, healthy, but very high calcium content well water. A recent test of our water revealed calcium levels nearly twice what is considered "very high" levels.

Calcium collects everywhere heated water is used. In some cases the result is fairly low-cost to correct -- a good and regular boil or two with vinegar renews teakettles, irons, coffee-makers, etc. Though this certainly works, the time and resources used to keep them functioning properly could well be used for mission-related efforts instead.

Much more serious is the effect of collected calcium in the heating system, hot water heater, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures. The safety low-water shutoff in the boiler, for example, collects this calcium, causing the sensor to remain moist. In that condition, a low-water emergency cannot be detected and the boiler can actually "cook itself", requiring very expensive repairs. As you can probably tell, we speak from painful experience.

Water heaters have a shorter life-span in a high-calcium environment, and more frequent repairs and replacement occur with sinks, tubs, toilets, etc. All of this expense and time could be put to much better use.

The photo at the top of the newsletter shows yet another way in which calcium interferes -- food canning. Jars cannot be pre-heated in boiling water because the calcium collects on all surfaces of the jars. Food preserved with that calcium quickly turns gray and softens. (Jars can be pre-heated in the oven, though this is less effective and tends to cause jars not to seal.) The photo shows just how much calcium settles out of our water and onto the jars and lids during a boiling water bath canning session.

We know there are drawbacks to soft water -- much of the "flavor" in water is created by the minerals in it, and soft water makes it more difficult to rinse soap from the body. Even so, we feel the benefits far outweigh these effects.

So, Step 1 in our plumbing replacement project is on the schedule, and hopefully the work will be completed before the fall weather turns sharp enough for heat!

Sustaining the Dream

We are overjoyed that our campaign goal has been reached, and we thank you all so very, very much!

If you missed out on giving and/or pledging to the capital campaign, don't let an official "close" get in your way! We have exciting projects waiting in the financial wings, and if you'd like to support us in our vision, there are many ways to do so. Here are just a few of the projects afoot:

• Creating additional overnight accommodations for retreatants (wouldn't the reintroduction of an annual Associates retreat be wonderful?), Farm Companions, Oblates and Resident Companions, Wisdom Schools, etc.
• Creating a dairy kitchen, dedicated to dairy food processing and education.
• Renovating the old caretaker's cottage for living and learning space 
• Furnishing classrooms for the Living Arts Center (a learning kitchen, fiber arts facility, etc.)
• A boardwalk through our swamp area for silence and observation.
• And of course there is our annual fund drive, meeting the day-to-day needs of both houses! 

Wonderful people are joining us regularly -- for work, learning, worship and long-term companionship.

Your contributions help sustain our dream to live peacefully, share knowledge with each other, find God in every "present moment", and celebrate the beauty, wonder and wisdom of all Life.

You can donate using the PayPal button below. If you have any questions, would like information on planned giving, or would like to contribute using a credit card, please let us know.