Updates from the Sisters - July 2020 - Community of St John Baptist

Updates from the Sisters - July 2020

7/18/2020

“Fervent in spirit to our great creator,
pray we devoutly.”
-From the Sunday Lauds hymn in the CSJB Office Book. This hymn is originally from the Sarum Psalter, and we use the Community of St. Mary the Virgin, Wantage, translation.

Prayer from a vintage boxtop, found recently in one of the Sisters' collections. (Click any photo to enlarge.)

Few people might be aware of this, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when the Convent was without electricity for 14 days, the Sisters of CSJB never missed an Office. Even when the world seemed to be in chaos and our future was uncertain, we prayed the Divine Offices of Lauds, Terce, Noonday, Vespers, and Compline without fail. We have done the same thing throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The mystical and ancient practice of praying the Psalms gives us a solid, stable, foundation for our souls as the world constantly pivots around us and shifts under our feet.

L to R, first photo: Sister Victoria Michelle and Sister Linda Clare with the Rev. Margaret Otterburn, Virginia Murphy and Linda Ochs. Click the arrows to see other photos from the New Jersey Community Food Bank.

We are thrilled to report that opportunities for in-person ministry have become available to us. On July 8th and July 15, Sr. Victoria Michelle and Sr. Linda Clare volunteered at the New Jersey Community Food Bank in Hillside, NJ. Sister Linda Clare says: “We were part of a group from Church of the Messiah in Chester which included the Rev. Margaret Otterburn and parishioners Linda Ochs and Virginia Murphy. Along with other volunteers at the facility, we filled disaster relief boxes for distribution in emergency situations. The boxes contained long shelf life orange juice and milk, canned goods of fruit and protein sources, and pasta. The afternoon volunteers filled about 450 boxes of supplies.” Our Sisters are planning to continue volunteering for this ministry. For more information about the Community Food Bank’s valuable mission please check out their website: cfbnj.org

Sister Victoria has recently experienced a sense of calling to volunteer at the Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter in Morristown. She is currently exploring ways to join their efforts in person. Please join us in praying for her as she discerns her path there.

Our Zoom life is still going strong – and growing! On July 12 The St. John Baptist School Alumnae held an all-years class reunion on Zoom. The reunion was very well attended and was organized by alums Deb Blair Kamins (SJBS '70) and Nancy Eckhardt McCormick (SJBS '70). Deb says: “It was truly a delightful 3 (!!!!!!) hours, that I'll remember for a very long time! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for participating, with your smiles, your laughter, your kind words to each other, your tears, and your fond remembrances of each other, the Sisters, the teachers, and the place we hold so dear in our hearts! I love you all! We will do this again someday!”

Screen shots of the St. John Baptist School reunion on Zoom July 12. Many thanks to Deb, Nancy and all who came up with this brilliant idea and organized the reunion.

St. John Baptist School began in NYC in 1880, and continued in Mendham from 1915 to 1983.

One of the advantages of Zoom is that St. John Baptist schoolgirls from all over the U.S. can gather without having to make travel arrangements. In spite of the benefits of Zoom, though, we do hope that next year’s reunion can take place here at the Convent so that the schoolgirls can reminisce in a sacred space that means so much to them. It may be that both Zoom and in-person reunions take place in future years to include as many alumnae as possible. Please email [email protected] if you are an alumna who would like to be included in St. John Baptist School events.

The Oblates and Associates, through the generous sharing of Interweave’s Zoom platform, have continued to organize both the First Friday Associates prayers and also “All are Welcome” Zoom prayers on the 3rd Friday of each month. Associate Chris Prybylowski organizes our Zoom Centering Prayer sessions every Thursday evening at 7:15 and our Friday prayers are organized by CSJB Associates and Oblates including Janet Maulbeck of Interweave, the Rev. Kevin Coffey, Jan Paxton, and Pat and Doug McKenzie. What a comfort and a blessing it is to see our friends and to make new friends in these prayer sessions online. We are so grateful to all who arrange these gatherings and help us stay connected. If you are interested in joining us for these prayers, or if you would like more information on becoming a CSJB Associate, please go to our Events page or email [email protected].

Lilies in our Convent garden outside the refectory. After Pentecost each year we plant the remnants of our paschal garden in our various flowerbeds, so we get to enjoy the flowers of Easter year after year.

On June 23, CSJB Co-hosted an online community discussion of the film “Just Mercy” with local faith leaders in the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams. The event drew Mendham residents of all ages and all walks of life to discuss ways to promote racial, economic, and social justice. Sister Linda Clare and Sister Monica Clare served as facilitators, and they continue to work with Interchurch to plan new programs around these issues. There will be an online community discussion of the documentary “13th” on July 28 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. If you’re interested in participating, please CLICK HERE to register. Sister Linda Clare attended the New Jersey Diocese’s Juneteenth watch party and online discussion of the documentary “13th,” which gave her ample materials to prepare for facilitating our community discussion on July 28.

Sister Monica Clare also attended a virtual assembly of the Poor People’s Campaign on June 20 and a Zoom discussion on July 2. The July 2nd event included regional Poor People’s Campaign leaders from throughout New Jersey. If you’d like to learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign and find out how you can participate, go to https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/.

On June 20, Sister Eleanor Francis joined Rabbi Deb Smith and Dr. Shobiha Shiekh for a “Cultivating Compassion” event sponsored by Interweave. The program explored stories, texts, and historical examples of compassion from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith traditions and included a discussion on how contemporary society presents challenges to us as we try to live a life of compassion. We were delighted that our CSJB Sisters in England attended this event from the campus of Ripon Theological College, Cuddesdon, where they live and work.

A bluebird perched on the lamp post at St. Marguerite's Retreat House.

Prayer card from Sister Laura Katharine's collection

This year our SEARCH Program will be on Zoom from August 19 to August 28. Our SEARCH program is not only for those feeling called to be Sisters but for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be. We have several Searchers this year and we’re looking forward to sharing the gifts of monasticism with them as we help them discern their path. Please join us in praying for them. To learn more about the Search program, CLICK HERE.

Here are some other projects, ministries and jobs our Sisters are up to:
Sister Mary Lynne continues to create her handmade jewelry, to oversee the Convent pantry, and to work with Sister Jane in supporting the Good Shepherd Home. Sister Deborah Francis works as a spiritual director, is in charge of the Convent kitchen, and creates feather and counted cross-stitch cards for the Nun Better Shop.

Sister Suzanne Elizabeth has a busy spiritual direction practice, serves as the Community nurse, tends the Convent garden, and helps to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Buildings and Grounds Department. Sister Laura Katharine serves as Assistant Superior, produces the chapel papers, preaches in the Convent Chapel, and serves as primary caregiver to Kooky the Convent cat. Sister Margo has many spiritual direction clients; works on upcoming Celtic Journeys trips to Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, and Cornwall; and continues to create a book about Pony’s life here at the Convent. Sister Pamela is the Community Bursar, Novice Director and head of the Alongsider Program, and she coordinates fundraising events. She also oversees the cars, phones and internet system in the Convent. Sister Victoria is our sacristan, and Sister Barbara Jean and Eleanor Francis are ordained priests.

L to r: Sister Linda Clare, Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, Sister Eleanor Francis and Sister Victoria Michelle taking a walk during recreation.

Three small rabbits gathered along the driveway at CSJB

Sister Pamela greeting Radar, the extremely earnest Shar pei dog who was accompanying his human, St. Mark's Mendham Rector Lorna Erixson, for a socially-distanced visit.

In the parishes where we work, we are finding new ways to lend a hand. Sister Eleanor Francis preaches occasionally at the Zoom Sunday services for St. Mark’s Church in Mendham. Sister Victoria Michelle participates in Sunday-School-by-Mail and in online worship at the Church of the Messiah in Chester, she is scheduled to begin preaching at the online Sunday services soon, and she has resumed her work in the thrift shop at the Church of the Messiah. Sister Monica also participates in the online worship at All Saints’ Church in Millington, which has recently switched from Facebook live feed to Zoom. She sings in the virtual choir and on July 19 she preached and led Morning Prayer at Sunday Zoom worship.

On St. John Baptist Day, June 24, Sister Jane Mankaa sent a lovely recording of the children of the Good Shepherd Home singing On Jordan’s Bank. We are so thankful that Sister Jane and the children, Sisters, and staff are all safe and healthy in spite of the ongoing military conflict, the continued closure of schools, and the COVID crisis. Many thanks to all who have contributed to our emergency appeal for the children. If you’d like to help with the children's nutrition, medical needs, and education please CLICK HERE.

The local chief stopped by to offer gifts to the children and staff at the Good Shepherd Home July 1.

St. Marguerite's Retreat House continues to remain closed, but we are exploring ideas for outdoor events.

Our outreach lives are busier than ever these days, but in the midst of this, we never forget our primary works of prayer, hospitality, and spiritual direction. Some of our friends are visiting us in a socially-distanced way on the cloister, and others have come here to walk our labyrinth and enjoy the outdoor sacred spaces. As we practice the ministry of hospitality in limited ways right now, we are looking to the future by creating guidelines, signage, and procedures in hopes of reopening St. Marguerite’s Retreat House in a socially-distanced way when we feel that it is safe to do so.

We are studying COVID guidelines from the hotel industry and from colleges, camps, and retreat/conference centers to aid us in compiling a plan of action that will ensure the safety of our employees and guests. On July 3, Sister Monica Clare attended an online gathering of Superiors and Leadership Team members from the Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas (CAROA) to share ideas and planning strategies for the eventual reopening of all our retreat ministries.

Sister Margo Elizabeth captured a close up moment with a curious squirrel.

Ryan and Ken McCurdy with their dog, Ava. The McCurdys live on campus at CSJB and maintain the buildings and grounds.

In the meantime, we are collecting ideas for socially-distanced outdoor events at St. Marguerite’s, and we even hope to resume Yoga at the Convent within safety guidelines at some point in the future. If you have any ideas for outdoor events, labyrinth walks, nature walks, or Zoom retreats, please let us know! Just email our Retreat House Manager Bradley Kalos at [email protected].

Speaking of the outdoors, our Garden of Hope and the Convent garden have started to yield fresh vegetables. The efforts of Sister Victoria Michelle, Sister Linda Clare, Patty Allen, Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, Donna MacKenzie, and Bradley Kalos are bringing forth lettuce, green beans, radishes, and early signs of squash.

The Convent garden outside the refectory is providing food for our table and we've recently been given the green light to donate the produce from our Garden of Hope to local food pantries. We would especially like to thank our friends Joe Boney and Julie Crawford for their hard work in the Garden of Hope. If you’re interested in volunteering in our Garden of Hope, please email [email protected].

The new Clewer Initiative app is designed to fight trafficking of rural farm workers.

We continue our work to bring the Clewer Initiative - the anti-trafficking organization founded by our English CSJB Sisters and The Rt. Rev. Alastair Redfern - to the Episcopal Church. Bishop Redfern recently met online with Sister Pamela and Sister Monica Clare and asked for any prayer resources or scripture passages that are particularly meaningful in the long tradition of CSJB for possible use at gatherings within the network of Clewer Initiative partners and affiliates.

We sent Bishop Redfern quite a few of our favorites, and we hope that the prayer traditions of our Community will continue to sustain the vision of our Mother Foundress Harriet Monsell in new settings and in new ways. The Clewer Initiative launched a new app in July aimed at tackling modern slavery in rural areas. CLICK HERE to learn more about the app, and go to www.theclewerinitiative.org for more information on this ministry

One of the many gifts of this unsettled time is that it has revealed to us the astonishing resiliency and adaptability of the human race. We have met and overcome many obstacles, and we always maintain our hope that there are better things to come. Our world is constantly changing, but our God is steadfast.

Jennie inspecting repairs on the Convent elevator with Sister Pamela.

4th of July flowers on the cloister.

“New challenges await us. We are reminded that those challenges require as much faith and courage as those of our ancestors. That we must move into the future with belief and in relationship with a living God who is present with us here and now. A God who walks with us into the unknown – into a future where truly all will be equal.”
– From Sister Linda Clare’s sermon on July 4, 2020.

Please Join us in Praying for

Doug, Janet, Sister Barbara Jean, Greg and Pat, Phoebe, Jay, Dean, Raajiv, Geri and family, Claire, Margaret and family, Larry, Kenneth, Louie, Annette, Michelle, Manh, Kristee, Judith, Suzanne, Anthony, Warren, James, Ingrid, Daniel, Nicole, Jennifer, Joyce, the Clewer Initiative, our Sisters in England, Virginia, Maureen, Michelle, Tiffany, Myles, for a new ministry for the former Daytop Buildings and grounds, Terry, Patty, and her family.

We would be honored to pray for you. Please email [email protected] with any prayer requests.

Drone video of the former St. John Baptist School by the Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD - rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown

Our Heartfelt Thanks to:

Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us
Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Glassner
Ed Raworth
Jane Hayden
Willard Bergman, esq.
Kit Rockwell
The Rev. Victoria McGrath and the people of All Saints Millington
Our generous donors
The Rev. Lorna Erixson and the people of St. Mark’s Mendham
The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD and the people of the Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Messiah
Our CSJB Associates and Oblates

And all those who have generously donated to the Good Shepherd Home, our Capital Campaign, and our general fund in spite of all the economic uncertainty.