Dear One's of St. Columba's,

  This year the Diocese of Olympia (the regional body of the Episcopal Church in Western Washington, of which we are a part) is embarking on something called a Year of Listening. Our bishop, Greg, is entering into discernment with us about what the next few years of our mutual ministry together might look like, and whether or not he is the person to lead us through the next phase of being a diocese together. It's a wonderful thing, and if you want to learn more about it and participate actively in this discernment, click here to check out the video and dates. 

 The idea of a year of listening comes from our tradition, specifically from Benedictine Christian spirituality - a way of following Jesus in community that emerged from monasteries that followed the Rule of St. Benedict. Benedict taught his monks that living together in community had three major components: Stability (finding God in what is), Obedience (finding God in Listening), and Conversion of Life (finding God in the new thing we are being called into becoming). Benedict also taught that these three principles were held together in community that paid attention to Rhythm and Balance in its life of faith. This rhythm and balance meant that no community became overly focused on one thing - but all needed to have times to pray, times to eat, times to rest, and times to work. This idea of moderation and balance is key to Episcopal and Anglican spirituality as well. We are a people of the middle way, after all.

I've been contemplating rhythm and balance this week, as I return from a lovely week of rest and re-creation with my family. I expected to plunge right back into a busy work week, only to find that there was snow in the Pacific Northwest, and like it or not the pace would be slower, and the activities different, than I had anticipated. 

If you are like me, it is easy to become focused on what must be done, on accomplishing tasks and the busy pace of modern life. This can exhaust us on multiple levels, and is one reason we humans need rest - sleep at night, rest from labor each week, and longer periods of vacation and time away. I hope that this snowy week (which may extend into the week to come!) can be an opportunity to rest, for you. Whether you are trapped inside with restless children, working from home while the snow falls, waiting impatiently for it all to melt, or outside making snowpeople, I pray that the disruption in the normal rhythms of work, play, and travel are kind to you. I hope that you can find in them moments of rest and warmth and care. 

I am so glad to be on this journey with you.

with care,

Alissa