​A reflection by Kevin Rysted, 2017-18 Deaconess Anne House corps member who works with EarthDance Farms!

Begin Reflection Log: 30th minute of the 15th hour of the 27th day of the 10th month of the 17th year of the 1st century of the 3rd millennia of the Common Era.

I am feeling wonderful in this season of life.  The leaves are turning, autumn is descending upon us more and more every day, and with every passing week I am reminded of the delicate architecture of a year of service work in an intentional community.  This reminder is usually found when I reflect on the assumption that service, like this at least, is a temporary affair.  I remember this when I look forward to my next steps, or what my friends are doing across state lines, or what I was doing at this time a year ago.  

I will present a few of the thoughts I have entertained: how have I, am I, and will I leave these movements stronger than I found them?  Am I growing in faith, or simply paying lip service?  What should I prioritize for my path to harden my heart in love--which of the many great options ahead of me is the one I am going to do?  Am I paying enough attention and intention to all of the parts of myself that I hope to cleanse in Holy Fire? 

Now moving forward onto some suggested questions!
1.  Something rewarding about community life: Always having someone to pray with is pretty awesome.
2. Something challenging about community life: Balancing giving someone space/isolation
3. Something I did with the parish I attend: Theology on Tap
4. Something rewarding about work at my placement site: Getting youth excited about fresh, healthy food
5. Something challenging about work at my placement site: Trying to be fully impactful in 32 hours a week
6. A highlight of this month: Fun times with my mom, sister, uncle, and grandpa over my birthday weekend (also with DAH Crew+)
7. A goal I have for next month: Begin reading 1 Kings, From Wild Man to Wise Man, and *hopefully* Slaughterhouse-Five
8. Something I pray or deeply hope for: That my practices and desires will not impede, but rather enhance, my relationships in StL
9.  A new practice I’m engaging: before bed: Spanish lesson, reading from a book, and going to bed at a fixed time


Let it be known that this is both a recapitulation of my month for outward digestion by my lovely audience as well as for inward digestion for my spiritual health.

End Reflection Log: 1st minute of the 18th  hour of the 27th day of the 10th month of the 17th year of the 1st century of the 3rd millennia of the Common Era.

-Kevin

 Peter Armstrong, 2015-16 served as Digital Missioner at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St Louis. Currently, he is working at Sojourners on issues of faith and social justice in Washington, D.C. for one year before going to Yale Divinity School starting August 2017.  He writes:
"It was in St. Louis that my eyes were opened to the justice issues of our time. I realized that one of my most important tasks, as a straight white man in discernment for priesthood, would be to model ally-ship by raising up the voices of those less privileged. My goal now for seminary is to listen, learn, and act to further the conversation around race and privilege in our country and our church."

​

On Friday morning at 8 AM, our hearty community gathered at the bustop near our house. We had hot coffee, 48 donuts, a poster that said "We Hope For...." and warm smiles.  It was FREEZING cold.  Perhaps I already mentioned that?  The bus stop was not busy. Many of those waiting had just eaten breakfast and delcined a donut or coffee. However, we had six hearty neighbors who were happy to get a coffee or a donut.  Of the six, half were homeless.  So, we didn't encounter a lot of people, but the ones we met shared their stories and their warmth.  It felt important to be there. We left with chilly hands and warm hearts. Woud we do it again? Yes. For sure. And we will!! 

Shown L - R: Jose, Christian, Katie, Sam and Mary Haggerty, Spritual Formation Worskshop Director


urprises in Community Life- Sam Prescott
 
            Whenever strangers are placed together in a community, surprises are bound to occur. For me this year, I have found those surprises to be in the times when I realize how truly different we all are in within the community. Although all of our personalities differ, we all ended up in the same place at the same time. Even though we all may have chosen to be a part of Deaconess Ann House for a variety of reasons, we all chose it and are now living under one roof together.
            Community life may not always be easy and fun like it may seem on the outside, but when it is easy and fun it’s a reminder of what we are trying to strive towards as we live together. We should be trying to create a life of lifting each other up and enjoying the year that we have together and when those moments do happen it is always a nice surprise to see a glimpse of what God’s kingdom will look like someday.
            So while community life is hard and some days we may not want to get out of bed for morning prayer, it is usually those days when we want to give up that God shows up and surprises us the most.
 
 
Surprises in Personal Life- Katie Morse
 
I came to St. Louis for a year of spiritual discernment, hoping that this year would give me purpose, meaning, and direction, forming me into the person that God intended for me to be. My path toward growth has not been steady or without doubt. Living in Old North has opened my eyes to disenfranchised neighborhoods. My work with a local nonprofit allows me to see Christ through others every day.
 
Racial and socioeconomic lines I never noticed before are becoming clearer and clearer. I always liked to think of myself as a person of faith, but as the old adage goes “faith without works is dead.” I look at the injustice and ignorance in the world and realize that God’s kingdom is only realized when we stop separating ourselves from one another. I have been complicit in that separation without consciously realizing I was contributing to those divides through my passivity.
 
I knew there were deep wounds in the world but didn’t know how deep they ran. I feel a passionate sense of purpose to heal those wounds and truly see others.
 
Surprises in Service Work – Christian Davis, Gap-Year Intern
 
I joined Deaconess Ann House two months late. Immediately, I started working at Gateway180. I had never seen,or, for that matter, stepped into a homeless shelter before. Naturally, there have been many surprises within the first month. One of the bigger surprises is, unlike other shelters, Gateway180 keeps families together by allowing boys over the age of 14 to stay in the shelter with their families. The biggest surprise of all, is the joy and laughter I see occurring between clients and staff. We have a roof to share and we all share it with over 170 people.
 
One moment that stood out to me was my third day on the job. My supervisor, Kathy, asked me to put a client's resume on a public website, Indeed.com. After some technical difficulty and wifi malfunction, I decided to go work in the public computer lab with the client. The client, Ms. S, and I sat together for thirty minutes writing her resume out on the computer. Once we finished, I noticed that she was genuinely surprised that one person would take the time to help her to that degree. In our technological society, it is very easy to take such things for granted. Because of this, her utter joy struck me with amazing surprise.
 
Overall, I have enjoyed my time at Gateway180 so far. Now, I look forward to the surprises to come.
 
Jose Marks  Surprises in Old North
 
Old North is in the midst of/sphere-heading political/social awakenings that are permeating all across the city!!!  Community leaders and representatives are banding together, rallying and activating minds while having overly difficult yet pertinent conversations about the state of St. Louis’s political, gender, socioeconomic and judicial landscapes.
As the famous quote goes, “A riot is the language of the unheard,” & I’ve found comfort in the chaos of resounding voices.  If rebellion’s inconvenient to the oppressive powers that be, then label me a proponent of systematic change and peace.
There’s a burgeoning movement and dialog that refuses to go away, and it’s rooted in representative accountability and love for one’s neighbors of all walks.  There’s a paradigm shift, inadequate regimes are being challenged and defeated, those that stand for & with the people are overthrowing incumbents, marginalized voices are being heard and policies that benefit communities supposed to big business are being implemented. All’s beginning to appear a bit more joyous.
 
Surprised by Joy – The Rev. Rebecca Ragland
 
Greetings to you from Deaconess Anne House! In this time of national transitions, and global uncertainty, we thought it would be a faithful response to focus on the season with an eye toward being wonder-fully suprised. 
 
The year of Jesus’ birth was uncertain and rife with danger.  It was a season of transition, risk and fear. And born into it was the best surprise: our savior, Christ the Lord. 
 
We’ve seen Jesus present in the bleakest circumstances of our neighborhood, relationships, work and faith. We’ve encountered the unexpected light that shines in the darkness and is not overcome.  Our prayer for you is that you too will notice the surprises this season.  May joy be yours.
 
 

Over Memorial Day weekend, Deaconess Anne House, took a road trip retreat to the great city of Memphis! We were wonderfully housed in two guest houses on the campus of Memphis Theological Seminary where our own Sophie Lively's uncle is president.  Not only did he and his family host us for dinner, but he gave us a tour of their beautiful facility, joined us for conversation as we planned our Feminine God month (more on that later) and then took us out for brunch.  Other highlights included: The Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street and Dancing, seeing friends from City of Soul - ESC Memphis, the Stax Record Tour, and having fun together!  Enjoy some pics!!

Today, I visited Maria at her placement site, Earthdance Farms, Ferguson, Missouri. For mid-December, it was absolutely appropriate weather. Cold! The sky clouded over while we walked the furrows of plowed earth and dreamed of summer to come.  So much hope is buried in that land, and it grows whether the plants are visible or not. Fortunately, as you can see, the plants grow year round. And the chickens cluck, and the earth dances. What a blessing to have a partnership in this farm to table operation!

Maria Maguire works in Ferguson with The Vine - a Community Outreach Asset Based program.  On the Anniversary of the announcement of the Grand Jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, Maria participated in a painting project along the street where one year prior, people gathered to protest. Maria finished off a peace sign that another person had begun. She painted blossoms on the peace sign and then flanked it with dogwoods. It was a beautiful testament to her own belief that when we are rooted in earth, and value all creatures, we flourish in peace.  

As night fell, corps members gathered with hundreds of others to remember the grief and mayhem of one year before. We also prayed for the people of Minneapolis and Chicago and families all over this nation who continue to live in fear or in the aftermath of police brutality.  We see this as a part of our discipleship: bringing all of ourselves, our art, our prayer, our presence to the places where people cry out for justice, truth, and love.

Here's the video: LINK to the news peice on Art for Peace.