New Skete Monasteries News

  By Ida Williams The vintage phrase “in like a lion, out like a lamb” comes to mind as I think about March 2023.               After a three-year hiatus from hosting the Lenten retreat in person, the monks and nuns decided it was once again time to gather with friends old and new to share monastic perspectives on the Great Lent.   The date of March 18th was selected, and the title for the conference was determined: Tilling the Lenten Soil.               I felt a little rusty in my role as event coordinator for this retreat.   Getting the word out, setting up pre-registration, planning meals, and staging the settings for maximum occupancy—all the while keeping in mind the need for ample space so everyone felt comfortable.   All planning went well, and we met our goal of 40 people registered for the retreat.                As any seasoned event planner knows, you have to watch the weather forecast.   News outlets and online weather sources were predicting a severe weather event f

  By Ralph Karow Typically one would finish the phrase with “when you’re having fun.” I was thinking more along the lines of “when you’re not really paying attention to it.” I haven’t really been paying any attention to time since I came to New Skete and was recently reminded that I had my three-year anniversary in January. As part of a recognitory email, Sr. Cecelia wrote, “Maybe the next newsletter article: what three years can show one?” which got me thinking, what if I hadn’t stayed at New Skete all this time? Certainly I would have been very time conscious and very busy “doing things” as opposed to “just being.” The plan back then was to get an MA in Orthodox Theology from St. Vladimir’s Seminary so that I could write a thesis stemming from an understanding of the Trinity being perfect harmony. And the idea behind the thesis was to put forth a theological basis for an evangelical apostolic community. But not just any community; the intention was, and still is, to draw music

  by Brother Christopher   Today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent, its mid-point and the very heart of the season. Perhaps strangely to some, the Church celebrates the mystery of the Cross, the central mystery of our faith. We honor it by solemnly placing it at the entrance of the church, in front of the Golgotha, so that it is the first thing that we reverence upon entering Holy Wisdom. Throughout this week we will sing hymns that honor its power and mystery, bringing to our hearts and minds all that Jesus revealed through his sacrifice on the cross: the unconditional nature of his love. One of the stichera we’ll sing this week speaks to this:        The cross is raised on high this day, sending forth its power to all the earth. To all four corners of creation, its arms extend salvation’s awesome grace. In this cross, all believers find unending courage! In this cross, those who fight that unseen warfare find saving strength! How awesome, how great this love! Come let us all rejoice th