We always have a party. Saturday night.
After receiving our most newly professed.
And novices. And postulants.
After renewing our vows.
After laying our rules upon the altar.
After saying “yes” — one more time.
After entering into communion —
holy communion.
After all this serious, profound, challenging,
tough tender stuff,
We always have a party.
The party is not always the same.
But we always mean to celebrate.
And we want to celebrate together.
Which can be a little tricky.
Because we have different ways of
celebrating.
Some of us are rather quiet; some of us are
rather rowdy.
Some of us drink; some of us do not.
Some of us joke and laugh and mingle well.
Some of us would rather not, thank you.
As I was thinking of the party,
I got to thinking of all the sweet little gifts
over all the sweet little years
that I have come home from Chapter with.
I/we have been given: bookmarks, rosary
beads, prayer cards, etc.
One year we were given clay “stones”, each
with a name upon it.
We promised to pray for the one named (each
a member of the Order).
One year I came home with a nut and a bolt.
I no longer remember the specifics, but what I
held onto is the recognition that we are
building something. Together.
Like maybe the Kingdom of God.
Or the “Kin-dom” as some say.
Or a good and peaceful world.
One year we were greeted with a village of
tiny clay monks.
We each adopted one. And took it home. To
give it love and care.
Last year we received t-shirts: “Let us see what
Love can do”.
This year we have prayer beads and prayer
stones.
My beads are a light turquoise blue
with the single silver word “hope”.
My prayer stone says “kindness”.
This year I want to see what hope and kindness
can do.
I think of all the sharings that happen here and
there
— sometimes in “Fiddlesticks,” sometimes on
the website, or Facebook;
sometimes in worship or around the table;
sometimes with fuzzy wolf puppies;
sometimes at regional gatherings, or on the
phone, or in the mailbox;
sometimes simply among two or more gathered
in His name; sometimes at the party — every
year at Chapter — on Saturday night.
I think of all the little sharings that maybe want
to be shared,
but aren’t quite sure how best to be shared.
And I hope maybe some will find a way tonight.
A song, a story, a prayer, a thank you, a hope, a
suggestion, a challenge, a remembrance, a
toast, a dance. Could be silence.
Or a punny pun. Or a warm fuzzy wolf puppy —
or make that two.
Could be simply the gift of your presence and
your warm beating heart.
Share as you
wish.
Treasure
each other.
At this party
this year on
this Saturday
night.
~ shoshanah,
party night,
chapter 2016
