Thinking about networks

When we started talking about the Companions, we soon found ourselves exploring what it would mean for people to be Companions without being in shared residence.  The traditional model of "religious orders" is that everyone is living together, at least with some other members if not with everyone.  "Christian communities" have been more dispersed, but we're not sure we know enough to talk about them.  We wanted to have the option of residence, without privileging those who live together.  The reality, we've found these months, is that some of us need to live together and devote full time to getting us going - but many more people want companionship but cannot move here and drop their lives.

So from the beginning we've been thinking about networks as well as "centers."  But it was just an intuition.  Now it's starting to come to life.

Last month we had the first meetings of the Board of Directors and the Companions of Companions, two extensions of the network.  Recently we've had rich conversations with several women about how to discern their relationship with us, or how to be more closely involved without residence.  And, out of the group, wisdom is emerging.  People are bringing their experience to this conversation, and showing us more possibilities and paradigms.  I'm not going to discuss details - it's still early - but I'm so energized by the conversations, by what people open up.

To me, this is how the Spirit works.  If I can sit still and not force a solution, not say "this is how religious life is supposed to be" or "these are the rules," but instead can ask questions and listen for need and passion, then eventually Spirit delivers new insight.

For all of you out there who are thinking you're stuck, at a dead end or without a good answer to your dilemmas - just wait!  I mean it.  Just wait.  Stay open.  Tell God you trust her to show you the way, and mean it.  And listen.

Thank you to everyone who is listening with us and for us.  It means more than I can say.