By: Nancy Enderle
I am honored to offer a few remarks about the commitment to ecumenism that continues to evolve and flourish in this wonderful community of communities. I do so in my capacity as the Director of one of the more recent expressions of that commitment – The Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom. I also offer these remarks as a member of the co-worker community which is made up of wonderful people who serve the mission of the monastery with their many gifts.
There is a saying from Lao Tzu that came to mind as I reflected on the evolution of ecumenism at Holy Wisdom:
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will disappear.”
I believe that the Sisters were ready students when the Living Spirit of God started to reveal the gifts of ecumenism in the 1970s. Sr. Mary David often remarks that their commitment to working toward Christian unity was influenced by the experience of sharing their lives with Lutheran pastors who resided here as they prepared for global ministry assignments. The fellowship they experienced and the unity they shared blessed and changed the monastery and the pastors and their families who came here. And further, I believe that as the saying from the Dao suggests, the blessings of Christian unity were absorbed into an atmosphere of genuine ecumenical relationships of ministry and service that led to ever deepening expressions of ecumenism. The students were truly ready and unifying spirit of God was fully engaged.
When a fellow prioress at another Benedictine monastery mentioned a Lilly Endowment grant opportunity that funded programs that helped pastors thrive in ministry, Sister Mary David knew it made sense to do that work here. Creating an ecumenical center devoted to the spiritual renewal of pastors was an extension of the living commitment already established at this sacred place and already evident in the rhythms and commitments of this monastery.
Tomorrow, our fourth cohort of 18 pastors will arrive and breathe this rare ecumenical and contemplative air. They join a community of over 73 pastors who have experienced The Center for Clergy Renewal and now share the blessings of the people and prairies of Holy Wisdom in their home settings. These pastors embody the future of ecumenism – which I believe is the future of Christianity’s ongoing expression of living out the Gospel. They take the gifts they receive here to every corner of this country and even an outpost in England. And perhaps most significantly, they share those gifts with hungry seekers in their congregations who for too long have been drinking from denominational cups when the flowing, living waters of contemplative spirituality and transformation offer a new and vibrant expression of Christian unity, service and life together.
I am convinced that these blessings will continue to evolve in this sacred place. How could they not? They are the result of a profoundly visionary and consistent commitment made over a half of a century ago. So I am grateful for this opportunity to say “thank you.” I offer my gratitude to those open hearted students who welcomed the Teacher and continue to live out the lessons of Christian unity and the gifts of contemplative renewal in all they do. May God continue to teach and shape and bless the community of communities at Holy Wisdom.