Testimony

Though (and actually because of) I offered some personal testimony this summer, both as a written letter and as a service announcement, for the particular ministries in which I am involved in my congregation, I was recently asked to consider doing something similar for the annual giving campaign coming up. For a bit I struggled with this as I didn't want to seem like a re-run. However this week I've come to a statement that I would like to post whether we end up using it in the stewardship campaign or not. It's first (and probably overlong) version runs like this:

Monastic spirituality is important to me. A key element of that spirituality is stability. After college I felt called to stay in Portland. For twelve years I have lived, worked, and walked downtown. It has provided me with my version of a monastic enclosure. The heart of this monastery is Trinity Cathedral. It is the center of my spiritual community and my school for the Lord's service as St. Benedict envisions in his rule. This isn't to say that everything is always smooth. In frustration or depression I have wanted to just walk away a number of times. But I have met real people here who care about what happens to me. I know they pray for me and I for them. It keeps me coming to the table time and again. Cornerstone, the cathedral's Benedictine community, renews its vows every Advent. This year I will vow obedience, stability, and conversion of life for the fourth time. These are really one interwoven vow to remain in community centered on God. Like the Trinity itself they create a round dance of community which is itself an expression of God.

Many blessings on your path.