[RivCompanions] Let's try this now

Rebecca Cox anglicanhaitianmomma at yahoo.com
Tue Jul 22 00:39:19 UTC 2014


I can make it that weekend also - it is better than the October date (Marcus' 18th birthday) but i would have made the meetings because it is understood what is important in all our lives here at our house!

Becca

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 21, 2014, at 7:14 PM, Christine Gilson <chrisgilson at mac.com> wrote:

> I can make it on September 19.  In fact I’ve put in my calendar Sept 18, 19, and 20.
> 
> My order of priority is:
> A Friday with weekend for travel
> A weekday
> A Saturday
> 
> Thank you so much for your words.  Indeed, my prayers for your wisdom have been richly answered.
> 
> love,
> Christine
> 
> p.s. And I’m very glad to hear the word about Heidi.
> 
> On Jul 21, 2014, at 6:41 PM, Virginia Brown <mothervirginiadb at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Okay, we're trying the refreshed and restored Companions list, plus Associate and co-founder Donna, who contributed that excellent letter a few days ago.
>> 
>> So far, the responses we've received about the proposed special GC meeting on Friday October 3 have been predominantly negative, including those who have indicated that they'd be able to be there for the evening, or part of the day.  Let's try another alternative:  What about September 19, with a similar schedule?
>> 
>> And, since several indicated that Friday was a problem but they would be able to come for the weekend, which is better for you:  a weekday, a Friday with weekend for continuing and/or travel, or a Saturday?  A couple felt that we needed at least two days.  That would be wonderful, of course--but this wasn't on anybody's calendar, and may not work... Would this be workable for you, or does it make it less likely to be feasible?  Do you believe we will need the time, or that our conversation will expand to fit the time available?
>> 
>> We should go ahead and schedule this, so we can all put it on our calendars now.  Again, we all realize we're not likely to get everybody, but it's very important that everyone who possibly can be present and participate; we have some critical decisions before us.
>> 
>> Along those lines:
>> 
>> This has been a shock to all of us, and each of us has been experiencing it in our own ways.   There have been various feelings of responsibility expressed, questions about whether there might have been ways of intervening earlier on, and so on.  At the same time, there's an awareness that the particular issue of marijuana use and sharing with guests, as great a concern as that is, especially with the lack of recognition of the difference between one's private property and the "sacred space" we hold in trust, is connected with some larger issues which have been obvious and worrisome for several.  We will all, I imagine, grieve the loss of Susie as our companion as well as in her role at the House; and some will (or have) started second-guessing what happened.
>> 
>> We do need to understand what happened and learn from it, and right now we right here need to deal with the immediate fallout, to help with all  the arrangements surrounding Susie and Abby's move, including seeing that they themselves have what they need and want (as is happening).  However:  a real danger to us would be to get "stuck" at this point, to keep trying to analyze and re-analyze the events and/or our role in them (or lack thereof).  This is not what we need to accomplish at the proposed special GC!  Instead, we will want to pray, listen, discuss, debate, and make some decisions about how to proceed into the future--most immediately about the Motherhouse property, but that will have implications for the whole Community.
>> 
>> This past weekend I was with the Emmaus Chapter in Memphis, and greatly enjoyed seeing them.  Although it was not the primary topic of the retreat, we spent some time talking about recent events, naturally enough.  Someone commented wisely that stuff like this just happens--it happens sooner or later to every religious community.  What counts is not that it happens, but how the community deals with it, whether it tries to cover it up, how it carries on.   It's been important to a good many people (including both our Episcopal Visitor Barry and the Bishop of West Missouri Marty, whom I informed about all this and who approved of our action) that when it did happen we responded promptly and decisively.  Part of the "not covering it up" will be how we discuss this among ourselves:  Please, as much as possible, openly, charitably, with the whole group unless there's some very good reason otherwise.  (It will be helpful if we're all more or less on the same page; and already I've seen how readily information and comments can be misunderstood or distorted in some way, with no evil intent on anyone's part!)
>> 
>> And meanwhile, if you do have questions about what has happened, or concerns, or whatever, I will be very glad to try to respond.
>> 
>> It's important, too, that we respond with compassion and generosity regarding Susie (and Abby and Ed)--but that doesn't mean bugging Susie to rescind her decision to withdraw from the Community; she needs some space right now, I think, and she has been moving in this direction for quite a while.  Our best chance for continuing our valued friendship is to give her space, and be as non-reactive and cordial, even if she strikes out angrily toward oneself or another, as possible.
>> 
>> A "crisis," as they say, is a "dangerous opportunity."  A prime danger is that the reaction to what has happened does more damage than the original injury (as I think happened with 9/11).  Let's not go there!--but let's do be open to whatever ways this may prove to be an opportunity--an opportunity, maybe, for Rivendell to respond to some new facet of God's call, and/or to recover aspects of our core.
>> 
>> I've been so aware of the support of our combined prayers during this difficult time; please keep them up, and be sure I'm praying for you!  This morning in the chapel I felt as though we were, as it were, floating on those prayers.
>> 
>> Much love to all,
>> Virginia +
>> 
>> PS:  This afternoon Heidi took off for a trial placement in a new home, with a friend who is very fond of her--a clergy spouse who is a member of a book club which normally meets at Rivendell.  If she can behave herself appropriately, this should be an ideal placement!
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> 
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