The Companions of Mary the Apostle
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Save the Dates!
November 19, 2-5:
Contemplative Thanksgiving
open to all
RSVP by Nov. 12
December 3, 9-3:
Advent Quiet Day
details to follow
(Our October 15 date has been cancelled. We hope you can join us later this fall.)
Coffee Table Communion
Fridays, 9:00 a.m.
Companions House,
245 Stony Kill Rd.
Accord, NY 12404
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Join the Companions in prayer.
We pray for:
Vocations to our life.
Our ConSpiritors, Covenant Group, Covenant Companions, Vowed Companions.
Peace, everywhere, now!
Political leadership around the world.
An end to racial, ethnic, sexual- or gender-based, or religious violence and hatred, and to the systems that give rise to them. Special prayers for those women who are raped by soldiers as part of war.
Refugees and migrants, and all seeking asylum.
Those held prisoner through slavery, mass incarceration, and in solitary confinement, and those facing execution.
Those who work under conditions of exploitation: low wages and unsafe conditions.
All people who suffer with addiction or mental illness.
Our planet, struggling to breathe.
We give thanks for people of good will of all faiths and none; for l
ife in community, for our daily bread and shelter, for the chance to worship every day; for the opportunity to serve God in the world; and
for the growing community of people connected to the Companions.
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Dear Friends,
Our covenant is organized around three loves: love of God, love of creation, and love of one another. Each time we gather to review our practices, we especially rue our failures around the second love. It's great to worship and pray together and alone; and it's a blessing to share our love with others. But creation? That one calls for some hard choices. Am I willing to limit my meat consumption? How about my clothing choices? How about travel?
This summer Elizabeth and I joined a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture - with a local farm. For roughly $30/week we receive a box (with additions) of fresh, local produce. We don't know ahead of time exactly what will be in the box, and we don't always know what to do with some of the more exotic offerings, but that has been part of the fun. I've learned about roasting daikon radish, about sorrel and tatsoi and tulsi. I've learned to adapt weekly menus according to what shows up. I've learned to live with anxiety about food going bad, and to rejoice in sharing abundance with friends.
At the same time, some of our Conspirators and their friends have been organizing a mobile food pantry for the students at the local community college. A truly shocking percentage of these students do not have secure access to daily food. We are joining with them to offer the good news of God's love, both in our words and presence and in food.
Through all this I've been remembering Brother Laurence, the 17th century Carmelite whose life was lived in the kitchen. He shared with others his "practice of the presence of God" in daily life; rather than spend hours in chapel, he made the kitchen a place to meet God.
We call the fall the harvest season, although many of the crops have been harvested and gone. The earth is giving us its last burst of food to tide us over until spring. I will miss our weekly box, but we hope to honor it by continuing to buy local and organic whenever we can, and by giving thanks for all that comes to us.
Pray for farmers, and for the animals and plants that make our continued life possible. Give thanks to God for whatever lands on your plate. And please, please, find ways to share what you find with the millions in the U.S. who do not have enough. Ask questions about our food distribution system, and share what you learn with others.
May you be blessed with abundance, and your heart filled to overflowing!
Shane, for The Companions
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The Envelope: Thanks!
Thanks to those of you who responded to our request for snail mail addresses.
It's not too late! If you would like to receive occasional mail from us, please
send us your address.
You can do that, ironically, via email:
Thank you! And start checking your mail box!
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Jann Aldridge-Clanton,
In Search of the Christ-Sophia
Elisabeth Schussler-Fiorenza,
In Memory of Her
Henri Nouwen,
A Spirituality of Fundraising
Joe Weston,
Mastering Respectful Confrontation
various trashy novels, and some not so trashy
Read along with our Covenant Companions!
They read and share each month via Skype.
Reading for September:
Rutba House ed., School(s) for Conversion
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
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Community News
September has been a delightful blend of rest and work. Just like everyone, the fall signals a new "program year" for us. Elizabeth has returned to her monthly spiritual direction practice at Berkeley Divinity School. Shane and Elizabeth together led the women of St. Luke's, Montclair NJ in a retreat on the women in John's Gospel. Thanks to the Holy Cross brothers who helped us enact some of the stories!
Our Board of Directors is entering a new phase. After three years with Shane as President and Elizabeth as Treasurer, we are passing on our portfolios to two dear friends on the Board. The Board is charged with oversight of CMA Inc., especially in the area of finance, so this move not only frees us up to do what we are called to do, it increases the integrity of our oversight and fiscal management. Elizabeth continues with the daily in and out of money, but she no longer has to spend her days wrestling with
reports.
We managed to enjoy time in Maine, the week after Labor Day. A Conspiritor loaned us her beach house, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately, a fall one day put Shane's back out, and she continues to heal slowly. At least it didn't hurt until we left!
We continue to host a stream of visitors, friends and companions who come for refreshment and community. We are learning how much we need a bigger place to do the work God is calling us to!
Our new covenant group is getting organized, and we're very pleased with the responses. We know what a commitment it is to try to live intentionally, and we rejoice to see people's hunger for community.
Blessings on you and your ministry, wherever it may be.
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Support Our Mission
- Come to a retreat or quiet day, or invite us to your church or group
- Become a ConSpiritor! Ask us how
- Remember us in your estate planning and will
- Make a donation to support our ministry. We are currently beginning a fund to buy a property where we can grow in life and ministry. We also have a fund to support travel for Covenant Companions who need assistance getting to our annual retreat and gathering.
Donations are tax deductible, can be made to The Companions of Mary the Apostle and sent to us at the address found below.
Heartfelt thanks to all of you who support us in so many ways!
Blessings on you, your community, your ministry!
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The Companions of Mary the Apostle
245 Stony Kill Rd.
Accord, NY 12404
(845) 253-0114
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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