​There’s something in my soul that longs for silence. Perhaps there’s something in your soul too, that also longs for silence, a respite from the inner noise of our own thoughts, and the outer barrage of beeps and bells from our cell phones that seem to distract us from that feeling that there’s something beneath the surface calling for our attention. If only we could slow down long enough to listen with love, to ourselves, to each other, and to our planet.

“Listening With Love.” This was the theme of Creating Connection’s Nurturing Silence Retreat at our beloved Samish Island, October 21 – 23rd. I was honored to co-lead this retreat with my dear Buddhist friend and teacher, Jonathan Prescott. Jonathan is a chaplain and pastoral counselor, and long-time ordained student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. I met Jon in 2018 at an extended meditation retreat at Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastery in southern France. There was something both inviting and familiar about Jonathan’s presence. We stopped and shared a few words, and when he told me he lived near Anacortes, in Washington state, I couldn’t believe it. Here we were halfway across the world, and I happen to meet someone who says he can almost see Samish Island from his living room window. We traded emails, and have kept in touch these past five years, with some deep conversations around silence and spiritual companioning in both the Buddhist and Christian traditions. The seed had been planted, ready to germinate and grow.

Since meeting Thich Nhat Hanh in 2011, and becoming immersed in Buddhist teachings and practices, while staying very much rooted in Community of Christ, I have wanted to bring my two beloved communities together. This weekend retreat of Nurturing Silence seemed like the perfect opportunity, and Creating Connection was the perfect host, with its emphasis on reaching out to communities beyond our traditional congregations. I mentioned the idea to Debra Donohue, and she responded with a resounding “Yes!” We went to work on the myriad details that go into planning and facilitating a retreat like this. As in past retreats, Shannon McAdam provided beautiful altars and worship centers, even providing dried rose petals from her garden, for us to offer back to the earth in gratitude.

I’ve always had an inter-spiritual heart, a heart that cannot be confined to just one tradition, but that looks for the underlying oneness that connects us all. I feel that we need to go beyond just inter-faith discussion, to sharing contemplative practice and silence together. Practicing in silence together allows us to go beyond the words that often get in the way, and connect through the loving silence of the heart.

And so we took time out of the busy freight train of our lives, to slow the momentum, to cultivate a silent space to receive the healing balm of practices drawn from both Buddhist and Christian contemplative wisdom. We learned how to clear the listening space: relaxing our bodies through gentle breath and movement, quieting our minds through meditation and mindful attention, and soothing our hearts by learning how to be still and listen to our heart’s deepest yearnings. Ultimately, we were held by the beauty and sacredness of nature and all creation, and the faith and hard work of many generations of Community of Christ who have supported, tended and cared lovingly for Samish Island.

One of the songs that was woven into the silence of our weekend was from our own Community of Christ Sings: “Listen in the silence, listen in the noise, listen for the sound of the Spirit’s voice.” We also sang a beautiful chant to Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, nourishing loving kindness and compassion in ourselves and for the world. As I looked around at the faces of all those who had come together to practice, and listened to our voices blending together, my heart overflowed with joy. There’s something about both music and silence that weaves us together in ways that go beyond just talking and everyday conversation.

With many of our congregations struggling, and selling off church buildings, we need to discover new ways of coming together and creating community. In the past, Samish Island has been rented out to different Buddhist groups for their own separate retreats. I hope this retreat has planted the seed for a new kind of model and way of “inter-being.” Instead of seeing renters as just separate user groups, perhaps we can find ways of connecting through retreats and shared activities and practices that build bridges and fosters new understanding.

Let the Spirit breathe!

​​This summer I went to a beaded spider workshop with a Storyteller from the Okanagan Nation. She outlined the story of Spider as she passed around a series of spider bodies that she had assembled - beads of all different colours and sizes. I quickly found the one that spoke to me, so excited to match it with the smaller beads for the legs! Once we had selected our bodies she stopped suddenly and said, "Now think of the person you will give this to. In our Nation we always consider how to share what is precious to us." I was floored! I was already attached to this potential spider. So I detangled myself from this dismay and wondered who it was actually for...the answer became clear! Of course it was for a new friend that I was working with that week. With deep humility I selected tiny beads and threaded them onto the long legs over that next hour, thinking of her the whole time. It was such a pleasure to give her this precious creation, knowing that I had made as if it were for myself. This is a photo of it on her dresser, where it continues to connect us in the memory of that week together.
 
Our generosity cycle is coming to the close for this year, but let me offer that there is always room for a deeper learning about giving. When we offer what is most precious to us to someone else, it becomes sacramental. There is always room in our hearts for more love, room in the world to share more beauty. We really can let go of some of our attachments and touch into the reality of loving our neighbour as ourselves. The truth is: that beautiful beaded spider could not have given me more joy if I had kept her, and I will keep this memory close to my heart. Let us be guided by love.

​As we move into November, it is the time of remembrance. 
 
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed by Canadians and other members of the Commonwealth since the end of the First World War in order to remember all those who have fought and died in the line of duty to keep us free.
 
We are reminded of the generosity of all who served the country and the world in trying to bring about peace. As we move forward, we see a world in conflict.  Many places in the world are at war or have internal conflict.  Many of you have given generous financial assistance to countries like Ukraine.  Others have offered household items and assistance to refugees.  Acts of generosity from people who want to Pursue Peace on Earth and Abolish Poverty and End Needless Suffering.
 
This last Sunday, I was reminded that we need to pause and remember those who have recently passed on from this earth.  More importantly, I was reminded that those who have suffered those losses need to be remembered too!  I have fallen down on caring for my local community.  Caring for our community means just that.  I thought I had a generous heart but my actions do not follow through.  I need to stop and listen and think about others in my community who I need to contact to sometimes just say Hi!
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I want my generosity to include support for those in need who  sometimes don’t show that there is a need.

I attended a retreat a few weekends back! Nurturing Silence Retreat that had 2 wonderful facilitators in Jonathan Prescott and Vickie MacArthur. Listening with love combined contemplative practices:
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• sitting and walking meditation
• gentle yoga, breath, and embodied awareness
• mindful eating (nourishing plant-based meals)
• deep rest and relaxation

I was generous to myself for the weekend.  I really needed and enjoyed the time spent at the retreat. 

Creating connections is one of the programs from Community of Christ.  All programs cost to implement and the fees applied to the retreats and camps need to cover the cost of putting them on.  All are welcome to join the programs and should not be denied the opportunity to attend.  Through the generosity of others with financial assistance, subsidy programs are available. 

Youth camps and family reunions have a fee attached and all are asked to register.  The fees cover the cost of food, accommodations, class materials and craft supplies.  Hills of Peace and Samish Island have year round expenses that need to be covered as well.  The maintenance of these properties is something all of us can help with through financial generosity and through physical efforts at work parties.

Our pilgrimage to next year’s camps and retreats begins now. Consider how you can mindfully set aside resources - time, talents, and treasure - so you can be prepared to take part in this meaningful ministry. At these gatherings we come together as a mission centre to experience unity in diversity, learn and grow.

​We love our campgrounds! Consider making a donation to sustain your campground. E-transfer funds & write a cheque.