Kirkridge is a place to be, and to become a people of hope, compassion, justice, and service. Newsletter October 2015 In This Issue Seeds of Hope Returning to Kirkridge Remembering John McNeill Upcoming Programs This Space - Kirkridge by Judy Sorum Brown This space Makes no demands Of us. It lets us be, PLANTING SEEDS OF HOPE Jean Richardson, Kirkridge Director "E.B White watched his wife Katherine planning the planting of bulbs in her garden in the last autumn of her life and later wrote about it: "There was something comical yet touching about her bedraggled appearance...the small hunched over figure, her studied absorption in the implausible notion that there would be yet for her another spring, oblivious to the ending of her own days, which she knew perfectly well was near at hand, sitting there with her detailed chart under those dark skies in dying October, calmly plotting the resurrection." There is room for all of us in the resurrection conspiracy, the company of those who plant seeds of hope in dark
As we are, Here and now, Not carrying The other mornings With us, Nor the Cares and burdens- Even joys- We parked along The way. This silent room Offers itself- An invitation To the soul. times of grief or oppression, going about the living of these until, no one knows quite how, tender shoots appear. - Robert Raines (Director of Kirkridge 1974-1994), from A Time to Live By. It came to me on my morning walk that Kirkridge has been calmly plotting the resurrection for decades. Kirkridge has offered retreats for those questioning the status quo of theological thought, created programs for the marginalized, space for quiet reflection, community to encourage social change, cared for our environment and opened its doors for those who are in need of a healing space. We have planted seeds of hope in dark times of grief or oppression... To read more RE-TURNING TO KIRKRIDGE Karen Noordhoff The School at Kirkridge Opens for 2015-16 RECIPE OF THE MONTH: APPLE CRISP After more than 30 years since my first encounter with Kirkridge, I've returned. I followed the path here at first in 1980, but my journey has not been a continuous back and forth, to and from this place of retreat and renewal. Instead, Kirkridge has offered me its people, settings, stones, and stories as a space "in between" where I've explored and traversed two major life transitions, spread apart by those three decades: Kirkridge first provided me a bridge I could cross into a mature adulthood and now, it provides a passageway that invites me into a new age of generativity. I'm convinced that my returning to Kirkridge after those three decades of absence has not been by accident or by "mere" coincidence... To read more. Bread for the Journey: A Celebration of Poetry and the Human Spirit, Sept. 30-Oct. 3
There's a chill in air, and it's time to think about our favorite fall recipes.apple crisp is an easy and versatile dessert that can make your whole house smell fabulous and delight everyone who gets to taste it. It's very important to use fresh apples - from the orchard if possible. There is a world of difference in taste between using canned or frozen products and using the real thing. It's almost not worth the effort to use anything but the freshest, crispest apples you can find, and they are easy to find right now. Any variety will do. At Kirkridge, we especially like a combination of Macintosh and another type... Cortland, Macoun or Granny Smith. Our recipe is a very simple one, but it can be "dressed up" by adding raisins, dried cranberries or a few slices of peach or pear. Have a Holiday Party at Kirkridge! Photos from John Wilson Host your 2015 holiday parties at Kirkridge! You and your guests can relax by the fire or enjoy the spectacular scenery while your food is prepared and served by the Kirkridge kitchen! Our food service personnel are committed to using the freshest foods in delicious made-fromscratch recipes. For more information contact Stacey at 610-588-0249. CLICK HERE FOR APPLE CRISP RECIPE!
REMEMBERING JOHN McNEILL Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair Rev. Chris R. Glaser As the first Jesuit pope visited the United States, the first openly gay Jesuit priest went to heaven. As John McNeill passed through the pearly gates, Saint Peter asked, "Where's your partner, Charlie?" "Oh," John said, a little absentmindedly, "He'll be along. He just didn't think he should leave the country while Pope Francis might stop by." John tried to begin his talks with a bit of humor, sometimes as offbeat or puzzling as that. "Let me have too deep a sense of humor ever to be proud," his fellow Jesuit, Daniel Lord wrote in a "Prayer for Humility." And it is with that glee that he insisted that his publisher keep his chosen title of his autobiography, Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair. Both his editor and I tried to dissuade him from the title, lest it be misinterpreted, but he loved that that's how a former professor characterized him: "There goes John J. McNeill, both feet firmly planted in midair." To read more... To read an article about John McNeill on the Beacon Press website, written by another Kirkridge retreat leader, Mary E. Hunt from the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER), click here. BOOKNEST NEWS Denise Crawn, Booknest Manager It's never too early to begin your Holiday shopping! The BookNest at Kirkridge has a selection of unique and one-of-a-kind gifts including a variety of books, some by local authors, and a wide array of crafts from local artisans. Some of the items we have available are: locally made pottery, paintings, icons and icon
jewelry, inspirational greeting cards, handmade soaps, hand-knitted scarves and hats, hand- felted wool animals, henna art on journals, clothing and candles, fair trade Kirkridge Coffee, Kirkridge truffles, dreamcatchers featuring dragonflies and crystals, necklaces, nightlights and earrings by our TIP families, and NEW in stock; Grammy Bonnie's Dilly Beans made by the niece of our housekeeping manager, Gail Shook.( They are delicious, with a tiny "kick" and are especially wonderful to serve at Thanksgiving!) Come on home to the mountain, enjoy the fall colors and get your holiday shopping done early in the BookNest at Kirkridge! Hours: Weekdays during office hours 9-3pm and Saturdays from 1-3pm. *Shipping available upon request. SAVE THE DATE... Saturday, November 21st: Join us for a Holiday Open House at the Booknest featuring local authors and artists. A great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts and support Kirkridge. Do you have a TIP nightlight yet? Plenty of new designs will be available!!
UPCOMING PROGRAMS The Way of Peace in the Iona Community Oct. 15 Agape 2015: Coming of Age Grace Fala and Neill Johnson October 29 - November 1, 2015 An Autumn GIFT of TIME Denise Crawn and Nancy Scheirer October 30 - November 1, 2015 "Living the Nonviolence of Jesus, Gandhi & King: The Peacemaking Life Today" John Dear November 13-15, 2015 Wintering Through Our Lives and Relationships: A Courage and Renewal Retreat Jean Richardson and Marcia Eames-Sheavly December 4-6, 2015 Join us for a Kirkridge program, book your own retreat, or bring a group to enjoy the scenery and the home cooked food!
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