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Dear friends,
It was late, and a big tease early on, but Spring finally arrived in the Northeast. Apparently our long, frigid, snow-laden winter was just what the plant community needed, because it appears we have suddenly been transported to a jungle! Dandelions were three feet tall (seriously, I measured them), I can look the day lilies in the eye, the maples have leafed out with an energy bordering on fury ... and every bit of it is marvelous. We hope all of you have been able to enjoy your own weather conditions this spring, too. Our prayers for everyone are that your water is clean and abundant, the winds pass over your head, good rain comes to your land (enough, but not too much), and that sun, moon, and stars hold your spirit in quiet amazement this night. Rich blessings, The Sisters of CHS
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We have begun!
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The long, hard winter delayed our work on capital campaign projects, but once the snow melted and necessary repairs were made, we launched into the very best part of a campaign -- doing the work!! We began with the urgent upgrade of the wiring in the basement of the convent, and electrical upgrades elsewhere will continue alongside the plumbing (see below). We will be upgrading every switch and outlet in the house, adding a few circuits here and there, and installing a new generator.  | | ... TO THIS! |
In mid-June work began on the plumbing upgrade as well. Outside water now bypasses the treatment systems, the old basement piping is being replaced a bit at a time, and the bathrooms are being gutted and re-piped (supply and drainage). Finally each bath will be restored with new ceilings, walls, floors and upgraded fixtures. See more photos and read about our continuing refurbishing work here.
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Jerolynn Mary, CHS [1936 - 1964 - 2014]
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 In June 1963, Jerolynn Zion arrived in New York to work in the summer session of St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School. She had graduated from Western Washington State University a few years earlier and as a teacher of primary school children was more than welcome as an addition to our summer staff. From that beginning, she discovered within herself a vocation to the religious life -- and the courage to attempt it.
It was not easy (it almost never is), but she was professed as Sister Jerolynn Mary in August 1964,
confirming that profession with Life Vows three years later. She loved the children she taught -- they ranged from preschool to second graders -- and they loved her. Most of her teaching was at Melrose, where The Melrose School was growing, but she also had several years at St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's and a continuing interest in the summer program for New York children at Melrose. Retiring from teaching in 1998, Sister returned to New York City where she was elected Sister in Charge of St. Hilda's House in 1988. She celebrated the 25th anniversary of her life profession with two trips, one to New Mexico during the summer of 1995, and later a cruise in the Caribbean.
Sister suffered from diabetes as she grew older, spent over a year in hospital and nursing home, and died on April 3 of this year.
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 Please consider joining us for this important and life-changing three-day event in Brewster, offered by Gender Reconciliation International at our Living Arts Center in Brewster.
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CAROA annual meeting 2014
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I attended the annual Leaders Meeting of The Conference of Religious Orders in the Americas (CAROA) from May 5 - 10, 2014 at St. John's Convent in Toronto. We were warmly welcomed by the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine. It was wonderful to see some old friends and make some new ones. For the second year we met at the same time and place as the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities (NÆCC) and were able to share in worship, program and meals.
CAROA continues to explore the shape of Religious Life as we face the future. Fr. Ian Mobsby, the Priest in Charge of St. Mary Aldermary Church explored with us the new post-modern, post-Christian, post-secular world in which we live, and some of the challenges and creative possibilities God may be urging us to address among the churched, un-churched and non-churched people. He talked about New Monasticism and the Moot Community in the City of London.
Faith Margaret, CHS
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Chapel al fresco
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 Now that it's early summer, we are able to have Lauds, Vespers, and Eucharist outside on the chapel porch. In the morning we are joined by all the bird neighbors who wish to add their glad voices to our praise. The chipping sparrows are the most vocal, joined in by the titmice, chickadees, humming birds, song sparrows, phoebes, great crested flycatchers, towhees, bluebirds, cardinals, blue jays, and a variety of warblers. It always seems amazing to me that so many species can sing together at the same time and not create a cacophony of competing sounds. If only we humans were so harmonious. Even the crickets are in tune with all. Also, we are joined now by throngs of dragonflies eating up mosquitoes and other biters (though they aren't able to get rid of them ALL).
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Emmanuel, CHS
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Sustaining the Dream
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There is always more!
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. THANKS TO VERY GENEROUS FRIENDS the dairy kitchen is being created right now! In addition we are adding more space for resident companions. More on this later!!
- 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 buttons below. If you have any questions, or would like information on planned giving, please let us know.General Gift Annual Appeal Capital Campaign pledge payment
If you prefer mail, please send your gift to:
"Community of the Holy Spirit"
Attn: Sustain the Dream
118 Federal Hill Road
Brewster, NY 10509-5307
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 "The Nuns of Bluestone Farm"
Our story in ten minutes!
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