In-Person Snowstorms and Retreats

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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 for March 14th: heavy, wet snowfall and high winds.  Unfortunately, they got it right.  Our area reported snowfall up to 36 inches.  Tree branches fell on power lines, and New Skete was not spared.  Thanks to the National Grid linemen, power was restored the next day. 

BUT, no internet, no phones. ETA for restoration: Saturday, March 18th between 10 am and 12 pm.

An email went out to all registered attendees.  The best way to contact anyone at the monastery was via email, and we apologized in advance for delays in responding because we needed to leave the mountain to retrieve messages. 

            The second part of the email was in regard to parking.  The snow was not melting quickly.  As we’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, the monks’ monastery is under renovation.  With the construction materials and equipment occupying the space we would typically use for overflow parking during events, I was concerned.  Thanks to the good folks who plow the monastery, Josh skillfully snow-blowing paths, and attendees carpooling when possible, parking was not a problem.

            March 18th arrived, and it was a beautiful day.  Partly sunny skies, highs in the mid 40’s.  The day went without a hitch.  Following Matins, guests were invited into the monks’ dining room for a light breakfast.  Sister Rebecca started the conference with her talk “Revisiting the Garden of My Inner Life: Listening and Receiving the ‘Seeds’ of the Word of God.”  After her talk, she guided attendees in a time of silent meditation.  Lunch was served, and the Moroccan Chickpea Stew was a hit.  Many asked for the recipe, and you will find a link to it at the bottom of this article.  Next, Brother Gregory gave a short talk on the history of New Skete, a tour of Holy Wisdom Church, and a surprise visit to the puppy kennel to meet the puppies that would be going home the following weekend.  The final conference of the day was by Brother Christopher: “Transforming Everyday Life through Spiritual Practice.”  We were not able to record the presentations as we had planned.  At some point we will recreate Brother Christopher’s presentation and have it available for online viewing.  

The day came and went, and yet, still no internet or phones.  Upon further investigation, Verizon crews found that a pine tree had fallen and taken down the fiberoptic cable.  On Monday, March 20th, the updated report was that several thousand feet of cable was on the ground and that the area in the woods where the cable runs looked like a war zone.  On Tuesday, five Verizon trucks lined the road to the monastery.  A large spool of fiberoptic cable, as big as a kitchen table, was ready to be installed.  By 5 pm the fiberoptic cable had been run, and the workers were waiting for the connectors to arrive to finish the job.  At 8:30 pm, internet and phones were back on at the monks’ monastery.  Yay!!!

My hope… March departs like a lamb.

 

Easy Moroccan Chickpea Stew (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-moroccan-chickpea-stew)






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