January 2020

This newsletter is late, a sign of how chaotic and full this month has been. The new year began at West Park with the New Year's 12-Step retreat. Then after two days to shop and prepare, Shane and Elizabeth had their annual five-day silent retreat. We listened to a retreat of Don Bisson on Jung, Intuition and Creativity (CDS for sale at his website), read, prayed, journaled, made art. We came out fired up. But then Elizabeth's mother broke her hip, and Elizabeth was down in New Jersey while Shane went to San Francisco for a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Mastery Foundation. Elizabeth's mom is rehabbing nicely, but it was touch and go for a while. Now we're off again, to workshops and conventions. In the meantime, our Coffee Table Companions have been continuing to meet, being the community we know them to be. In the meantime we've continued to offer supply to St. Andrew's New Paltz until their new priest arrives. It has been a joy to be with them.

Ernesto spent the month traveling with his wife Susan, then with clergy colleagues. Spain! Morocco! Dubai! Meals with a Berber family, time with Teresa in Avila - a very big trip. Now it's back to the Nebraska winter.

Lauren and her wife Farrah moved to a new apartment - still "the Queens Companionary," but a big step up to two bedrooms. They are very excited, and a bit tired.

Diane is part of a group offering legal aid to immigrants in the Princeton area. Their first evening was a big success, with several families served. They have many volunteers, and look forward to serving more people - and to the end of the need for their services!

Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we are bound more and more strongly to one another as Companions. We are inspired by the variety of gifts and commitments among us, and by the love we receive and give. May you be blessed with companions on your journey as well.