A Welcome Reminder...

-

 

By Karen Gladstone, Director of Advancement and Stewardship

During the busy day-to-day tasks of Advancement and Stewardship and coordinating volunteers for New Skete, some days it’s easy for me to forget to stop and smell the roses, or more specifically to stop and experience everything. When I first started working with the Monks and Nuns almost three years ago, I was amazed at how intimidating yet awe-inspiring nature is up here. Driving up New Skete Lane each morning, I always felt compelled to turn off my radio, fearful the noise would disturb the harmonious sounds of nature already in existence. Just that one mile from the bottom of the mountain to the top was my daily opportunity to switch gears from the world of multi-medium assaults on my senses to a place that peacefully welcomed those senses. It is a place where calm and focus exist, alongside a sense of excitement and possibility. The ever-changing seasons at New Skete offer countless experiences: the sight of the flamboyant orange leaves of the maple tree as they rustle in autumn or the cool, almost silent breeze felt from those same leaves in the summer; the frogs croaking in the pond; the random barks of the dogs welcoming a visitor; the air, completely void of artificial noises; the warmth on my face when I raise it toward the sun. I am reminded of those moments and more whenever a new volunteer begins at New Skete. More than just the obvious hard work they do, volunteers rekindle or remind us about the countless gifts that can be found here, blessings that are at times forgotten in the office. I love to see the elation when regular volunteers share with me their own New Skete observations: a bird they saw, a picture they took, the deer they saw on a trail, the feeling of rejuvenation or peaceful calm as they return home, how their time here is the highlight of their week. Whether it’s the committed volunteer here for an hour, the dedicated volunteer who coordinates a week of summer vacation to help out, or the Chapel Community and friends who have been helping out for many years, I am grateful for all that volunteers bring to my life and my time at New Skete.




 

 
 

 

 
“Many hands make light work.” John Heywood

 

Many hands make light work. That could not be truer than at New Skete.


As you may know, the Monks and Nuns of New Skete earn their daily bread through the work of their hands—tasks directly related to their various businesses. However, as with most large households, there are many other responsibilities that must be attended to daily. All the members of New Skete, in addition to tending to their own personal chores, contribute to maintaining their monasteries and beautiful grounds, which welcome visitors throughout the year. The Monks and Nuns are fortunate to have wonderful friends and Chapel Community members who donate their time and talents to assist them with various and unique tasks, including cooking, cleaning, gardening, photography, puppy socializing, maintaining the churches, and even administrative work. However, there is always a need for additional helping hands. Over time, circumstances change, and some people find they are no longer able to provide the vital help they once did. Volunteers are crucial not only to the success of the special events that take place throughout the year but also for providing needed assistance on a regular basis. Would you consider volunteering and lending your time and talent? All are welcome and always appreciated.

Please call or email Karen Gladstone, Director of Advancement and Stewardship, at karengladstone@newskete.org or at 518.677.3928 ext. 214 for more information and to register.

Volunteer assistance is needed in the following areas:

Garden/grounds clean-up—Spring 2014, Date and time TBD. Based on weather
Pascha church clean-up—Date TBD
Church clean-up
Monastery cleaning
Event picture taking
Computer data input
Gift Shop coverage
Administrative projects, event material preparation
Puppy socializing
Kennel cleaning

Public events:
Open House— Saturday, June 7th
Pilgrimage—Saturday, August 9th
Animal Blessing—Saturday, October 4th.

Private events:
The Art of Living with Your Dog—May 15th - 18th
The Art of Living with Your Dog—July 18th - 20th








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Liberty and Belonging

-
Image
  By Br Brennan Just over a year ago I was planning an early retirement with an eye to monastic life. While I can’t say that I had one of those great careers and was at the top of my game, I had come to know some really amazing people over my years in the last job. Among those, I always enjoyed truly close relationships marked by great mutual respect. However, I was also one of those artists with a day job, and as a dancer/instructor/choreographer I had come to notice in recent years a certain status of “esteemed eldership” of sorts (at least in my particular genre, that of East European ethnic dance), however awkward I felt about it. After numerous visits to New Skete over the years, I knew the transition to postulancy and novitiate would involve quite a shake-up in my sense of self. And I was correct. First, I was not going to jump in and wow anyone with any diligence, knowledge, or finesse, as I might try to do in a new job. All I could do was pay attention, and learn what this
Read more

A Strong Ministry Continues

-
By Brother Gregory   Back in 1983, a group of chapel community members at New Skete felt very strongly about the monastic witness lived by the monks and nuns of New Skete. These married couples wanted to join in a closer relationship with the monks and nuns as a third monastic community, and they became known as the Companions of New Skete. With their financial resources and the help of the monks and nuns, Emmaus House was built on the property of the monks’ monastery. For the next 30 years, the Companions at Emmaus House added their voices and zeal to the witness of New Skete as a monastic presence in America. The Companions helped in many ways with the hard work needed to keep New Skete alive. They painted icons, trained dogs in the Adult Dog Training Program, made dog biscuits, added their singing voices to the daily monastic services, offered hospitality to guests visiting New Skete, and gave in so many other ways that the Companions developed their own ministry identity. One
Read more

What Is New This Fall?

-
Image
  By Sister Cecelia September 1 begins the Orthodox liturgical new year, and that made think of all the NEW things that have happened and will happen in the near future. It is new that the foliage is not very spectacular this year. That is the first for me in over 50 years! For the first time, the eleven apple trees in our orchard produced only one apple because of the late freeze in the spring. For the first time, the three hazelnut trees bore nuts—and with a very bountiful crop. We will roast our own hazelnuts for the first time. It will be a tasty treat. In October the monks welcomed their second novice this year, and that is a welcome new sight. The nuns have recently received several inquiries seeking monastic life—so, new faces soon, perhaps. New faces reminds me that in September a beautiful well-mannered German Shepherd named Tori was lent to me to care for as long as she is in the breeding program.  Our walks are energized by her running gracefully through the fields chasing a
Read more