Peace in the Face of War

who was married to Ruth, the Rector of Christ Church, Christiana Hundred in
Wilmington, Delaware, on 16 January 2016. David is fully occupied assisting
in nearby parishes, and in developing his ministry of spiritual direction.
Dr David Skelton of Edmonton, Canada, died on 25 February 2016, following
three years of declining health. He and his wife Mary became Associates
in September 2005, when David had been well enough for both of them to
make regular visits to this country. They became Life Associates in February
2009. We are grateful for David’s long and faithful support of the Community.
I know how much he valued his connection with us. We send our prayerful
sympathy to Mary.
We have admitted Carolyn Smith and Caroline Walton as probationer
Associates.
The Conference for Associates was held from 25 to 28 April. Dr Peta
Dunstan, Fellow of St Edmund’s College in Cambridge, a Franciscan Tertiary
and an historian of Anglican religious communities, spoke to us on the first
day, describing the history of the recovery of religious life in the Church of
England, with a particular emphasis on the contemplative communities. In
the afternoon, she challenged the Associates on the need for them to promote
religious life as widely as they could. This was a very stimulating day, and
we are thankful to Peta for sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge. On the
second day we looked at some of the writings of Father Gilbert Shaw.
Retreat
The annual retreat for the Community followed shortly afterwards. Bishop
Michael Marshall kindly agreed to lead this and took us through Chapter 21
of St John’s Gospel, with some thought provoking insights. We are grateful to
him for spending this time with us.
Hermits
Sister Mary Kathleen SLG, who lived a solitary life in St Michael Hermitage
from September 2004 until she returned to Fairacres in September 2011,
died on 31 May, aged 92. She had been a hermit for many years, on Bardsey
Island and then at Bede House in Kent. She came to take up residence at our
Monastery when the Sisters of the Love of God closed Bede House. Her death
was very peaceful and gentle, as was her funeral, which I was privileged to
attend on 14 June. She is buried in the Sisters of the Love of God section of
Rosehill Cemetery in Oxford, next to the grave of Father Gilbert Shaw, who
had done so much to encourage her vocation.
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