Upper Midwest Northumbria Community Gathering,
Minneapolis, MN - Oct 5&6, 2007

We had an unusually warm stretch of days for our Northumbrian Community Gathering. Minnesota is more likely to be remembered for snow in October not 90 degrees, heat and humidity. However, we did not actually hear too much grumbling from the folks from England. Sunny days are always appreciated.

We were grateful again to be hosted at the Fallout Urban Arts Center -a very prayerful urban monastic outreach center created by Peter and Jessica Wohler and the staff who work with them and the Source Community.

It was delightful to see old friends and meet new friends of the Community. People traveled from as far away as California, Michigan, Colorado and Wisconsin. The sense of "homecoming" was mentioned by many. I have to add that Dana has been communicating with members of the Community for over two years and it was only on that hot Friday eve as she walked through the doors, that she laid eyes on another member of the Community and got a hug for the first time.

We were also joined by a fantastic group of about 25 young adults from Madison, WI and Kansas City. KS. Most of them have a strong connection to the Boiler Room prayer movement, but were curious about the Community. Their enthusiasm, heart for prayer and love for Jesus was appreciated. Not to mention that they were crucial in setting up the Warehouse 3 Sacred Space. This whole warehouse area was transformed by Norma Charlton's wise leadership to become a place to interact in prayer with God. Thanks, Norma!

Friday evening Jeff brilliantly presented the "broad strokes" of the Community. Saturday we dove deeper to the Rule, understanding the Office and history of the Community. Saturday evening we feasted on the story of Aidan during 'Celtic Fire'. Aidan is a hero to Peter (Founder of Source). Aidan's ability to offer the milk of the gospel and to be so attune to the 'heathen' Celts culture and yet be able to present the the gospel in a meaningful and compelling way resonates deeply Peter and many of the rest of us. Thanks to Jeff and Jill for retelling the story with words and songs and with such depth and sincerity.

Sunday after Morning Prayer we broke into two different groups . One group spent time exploring a wide variety of aspects of the Community and how to stay connected here in the States. The other group looked at Community life and children. We ended with a closing meal there was an unspoken sense that we all wish we could meet again very soon.

Greater DC Event in Clarksburg, MD – October 12 and 13
On Friday night and Saturday about 30 people gathered at the Cedarbrook Community Church for a Northumbria Community get together. We came from near by and far away – Clarksburg, Virginia, Philadelphia, upstate NY, New England, Tennessee and of course, England.

On Friday evening we were treated to a newly written ‘Celtic Fire’ – the story of Aidan and the coming of Christianity to northern England – told through picture, song and liturgy by Jeff and Jill Sutheran. At the end when the lights came up it took awhile for all of us to pull ourselves back into the 20th century. The music, liturgy and images were beautiful and very poignant.

Saturday was a marathon of information, fellowship and workshops with the quiet hour coming as a bit of relief mid afternoon! We also had time to talk and share and eat. The gathering came to a meaningful close with worship and compline and a chance for the dance workshop to show their remarkable form and grace.

Special thanks to Cyndy Geraghty for cooking dinner and making lunch for everyone – delicious!; To the Cedarbrook folks for their enthusiastic support, help, service and warm hospitality; To Jeff, Jill and Brenda for traveling so far by plane, train, bus and car to help communicate the Northumbrian ethos; and to all who came and stayed the course – especially the intrepid 9 from Attica, NY. It was great to meet you all, put faces to your emails and finally do the ‘together’ bit.

Those of us who were instrumental in planning and pulling off this event are in the process of resting, reflecting and processing. No future events are in the works but watch this space for any news.

A Northumbrian day in Keene NH
Date and Time: Saturday, June 9.
Well, as you can see, our Northumbrian Day in Keene has come and gone! It was a great day with about 24 folks gathered together. We journeyed from the furthest reaches of Maine, from Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, NH, and even as far away as Virginia! We prayed parts of the daily office, sang a song or two, learned some things about the Community’s beginnings, history and ethos, had some quiet time for reflection, had time to ask some questions and ate heartily at various times throughout the day! It was great to connect with old friends and make new ones. The question was asked of everyone gathered if we would like to do this again – we are still waiting to hear from the majority but the few who have responded have been in the positive. So – stay tuned! We’ll let you know!