“Gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without us.”

— from Consolations the solace, nourishment and underlying meaning of everyday words by David Whyte

Friends

I write to you after an extended visit to churches and gatherings in and around Philadelphia, Reading, Emmaus, and Shilling, Pennsylvania. It was a JOY to be together with so many people, young and old, all seeking and sharing God's love! I visited mainline churches, families, and recovery groups. In all these gatherings we listened and prayed. We sang and made beautiful music. We shared ancient stories and the stories of our lives. We shared poetry. We laughed. We wept. We opened our hearts to one another and to the love of God that shines in Jesus among us. The message is clear: "You are my Beloved. I delight in You." These are the words Jesus heard from the heart of God. These words guided his whole life. This is the message of Community of Peace to you and to all. This is the Good News that transforms our lives.

I am grateful to God for inspiring this good work we call Community of Peace. I am also grateful to all of you who hold us in prayer and who support us financially. Here in Louisa, VA we continue to welcome more and more people - individuals and families - who need a safe space, a place to rest and renew, a place that inspires peace and nurtures faith.

We do need your help. We need to make our next mortgage payment soon. We could use your help. We need to raise fifty-thousand dollars by Dec. 1. We are also building cabins in the woods to accommodate the growing number of people who are coming here. Each cabin costs around two-thousand dollars. Do consider a special donation to Community of Peace at this time. Thank you!

Grace and Peace to you, my friend,

Br. Stefan

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“GRATITUDE is the understanding that many millions of things come together and live together and mesh together and breathe together in order for us to take even one more breath of air. . .”

— David Whyte

Barb

Why do leaves fall from trees? Maybe because the trees are entering a new phase in their growth cycle and the leaves are no longer needed. They need to fall away to make room for new foliage in the Spring. Since I’ve been at Community of Peace, little by little, old beliefs, thoughts and feelings that I was still clinging to are falling away. As they fall away, a lovely sense of clarity replaces the fog, along with a greater freedom to be just me. I’m also feeling a deepening sense of gratefulness and purpose.

Tim

My sense of gratitude has evolved over time. It used to come with more of an emotional charge - like I had received a gift. And associated with it was also the emotional sense of praise - 'how wonderful the giver is for giving to me.'
Now I feel gratitude as appreciation for what life is doing in and around me. And praise has been replaced with a sense of awe at the continual flow of life. To me, our life, all life on earth, is the flow of the Creator's life into and through any form that arises - i.e. anything born. We each are the flow of that One Life in our own stream. I now enjoy and appreciate myself and all others as that flow of the Creator. And that is awesome.

Jason

When I lost my hearing I thanked God that I could still feel. When I lost my sense of touch I thanked God I could still taste. When I lost my sense of taste I thanked God that I could still smell. When I lost my sense of smell I thanked God I could still see. When I lost my sight I thanked God for his guidance.

WALKING PATHS TROUGH BEAUTIFUL FOREST - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

“THANKFULNESS finds it’s full measure in generosity of presence, both by participation and witness.”

— David Whyte

Michael

Community of Peace is growing in so many ways. We are expanding the living spaces, beginning bench building, the garden is growing. We are seeing an increase in visitors on a regular basis who see the mission we serve from the hearts of all who are here.

Mulu

I enjoy working outdoors. In the last couple of weeks I've been helping to clear walking paths in the woods by cutting tree branches off and raking the piles of leaves so the ground is visible. At the end of my work day, I make a point of stopping by my favorite spot: the steps at the stream and dipping my feet in the freezing water for a couple of minutes...I love it!

Manyam

Blessed to stay at community of peace. This is one of the divine places where you can forget what you want. Do nature walks, pray, meditate. Give yourself time and start back on your journey.

Jared

Community of Peace is a place of vision - working for peace as they seek to love and pray for the world every day. My wife and I and two little boys had a wonderful month visiting, loving, and praying with them.

Dennis

I am so grateful to be here at Community of Peace. This peaceful place is perfect for healing. Because of all the love, peace and silence around this place I feel safe enough to let my repressed feelings come up. It is not always easy but I feel already more like myself and that’s great. And I am just here since two months. So I can’t wait to see what the next ten months will bring.

Ruben

I want to write about the special forest here around Community of Peace. Every time I do something in the woods, whether I go for a run or my daily work or just exploring, nearly every time I get an interesting thought or I get this deep peace in me. It has something fabulous. Especially in this time, when the sun is hitting the last leafs in the evening and it looks like the trees are covered in caramel. Anytime after I was in the woods and I came back I feel good, it’s like I just had a bathing cure.

Events

NEW - Saturday Mindfulness Group 10 - 11 am (see flyer below)
Contemplative Nature Walks for all ages” - We offer Contemplative nature walks led by Tim every Saturday at 11:00 am followed by lunch at noon and Sung Prayer at 1:00 pm. 2 - 4 pm is free time to walk, explore . . .
NEW - Full day Contemplative offerings facilitated by Sarah Jane, Tim and Barb beginning in December - dates and times TBD
Now that our cow barn has a new floor we are looking forward to hosting our first Event in this unique venue.
NEW - Young Adult Forest Camps - One in Spring, One in Summer: dates TBD (see flyer below) We’re excited to offer this program to teach forestry and gardening skills and much more to young people ages 18-35. We have some excellent and knowledgeable instructors in the community, others will be brought in for the event.
More outdoor experiences - like evenings around the fire circle are being planned. We will let you know as they are scheduled.
Daily sung prayer morning (8am), midday (1pm) and evening (7pm).
We are now listed on the HIPCAMP website www.Hipcamp.com . Bring your tent or borrow one of ours. Camp in our beautiful forest, walk the trails, explore or relax by the pond. Enjoy the deep peace of being in the wilderness. Campers are welcome to join us at sung prayer or our occasional gatherings around a lovely fire for story telling, music and sharing at our fire circle near the pond. Enjoy walking our beautiful labyrinth.

If you have questions or to schedule a time to visit us or a time for Br. Stefan to visit you (flyer below), email us at communityofpeaceva@gmail.com . or call (540)500-9729.

Br. Stefan’s scheduled weekend retreats and concerts are listed below in date order: