Drawing from the Well of Christ
Contemplatively
Actively

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"Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain."

Is. 35:6-7, The Message

Poem-prayer from Founding Mentor, Kent Groff
Shared at 2010 Coming Home Celebration

Greetings and thanksgiving to all for your gifts of presence and passion

PAUSING OVER LUNCH

Lunching at Penn State’s
Hershey Medical Center in 1988,
two forties ministers shared
their disappointments and their
dreams—small drops of hope in
desert time.
One said he hoped
to find a way to join the active
and contemplative life, a way
of living free while loving God.
“How would you find such a way,”
the other asked.
“Oh, it could
never be alone, only in community.”
“And where would you find such
a community?”
“Ah, most likely
it would not mean finding—rather
founding such a fluid group
as would enrich all communities.”

“And what would you call it?”

“Oasis!” the answer flowed
without a pause. Then, in holy
awe, both paused…
and have
been pausing ever since…
between their words…
and deeds.

—Kent Ira Groff
November 19, 2010