2021 Winter Appeal
Dear Friends,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
None of us are blind to the challenges we still face. However, if the year 2020 was the year of fear and uncertainty, might the year 2021 be looked back on as the year that brought cautious optimism? Guarded hope? We carefully dipped our toes and hesitantly waded back into our novel yet vaguely familiar lives of routines and rituals. We saw the successful development of a COVID vaccine, and the progression of its availability and distribution. We continue to celebrate the return of children going back to school and parents heading back to work. People are returning to activities that were once everyday occurrences like family gatherings, sporting events, shopping, and church worship. These are just some of the many things we have hoped for and are thankful for.
What then for 2022? Do all these positive developments mean the next catastrophe is just beyond the next hill? Sometimes it’s just easier to believe the “other shoe” will soon drop and the next challenge will be upon us. When can we let down our guard? Do we need to always be at the ready to fight or take flight? Our energies could be used in far better ways…
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Strive to hold close the people who are dear to you. Recognize and cherish the special moments which bless us and that we bring to others. The challenges that will always persist will be met with the confidence, knowledge, and skills we have acquired on our journey. Experience, hope, and prayers will move us through the tough times to once again thrive.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Colossians 3:16
With hope in our heart, we ask you to please consider a gift to benefit the Monks and Nuns of New Skete. This donation from you, In Honor or In Memory of those you love, will assist us as we continue to tend to those in need during these arduous times. Illustrated on the following page are some of the many ways your donation brings joy, hope and comfort to those in need. Please click on this link to make a secure online donation or hereto download and print the donation form to mail to New Skete.
We pray that God may bless you abundantly for your generosity of prayers, kindness, and friendship!
In Christ’s love,
Brother Christopher, Prior, Monks of New Skete
Sister Cecelia, Prioress, Nuns of New Skete
with your kind generosity we:
· Welcomed guests: back to the Monks and Nuns for personal retreats (with COVID precautions).
· Marked our annual Pilgrimage with a traditional speaker but presented it in a very nontraditional ZOOM way! Over 100 people from across the country participated online.
· Provided personal Spiritual Direction virtually, without interruption, to those who continue to seek and further their relationship with God.
· Presented an Animal Blessing: where dozens of pets and their humans graced the grounds of New Skete for first the time since 2019. It was held in person on October 2, 2021 (with COVID precautions).
· Hosted a 5-day E-Collar: workshop, which brought dozens of beginners and experts alike to learn “The Art of Training Your Dog.”
· Reached out in extended, untraditional ways in order to best support friends in need. (More creatively and technologically than ever.)
· Trimmed excess trees and foliage throughout the New Skete property, from Emmaus House to the Puppy Kennel. This project will allow for wider, brighter, safer passage and healthier tree and plant growth for years to come.
· Maintained winding trails: for monastics, guests, and visitors who enjoy hiking.
· Newsletters: continued to provide online stories, insight, updates, and diversions.
· Produced video messages accessible on the website to Companions and Chapel Community members and friends.
· Shared our resources, as we were able, in the fight against food insecurities that many in our local communities are experiencing.
· Reimagined an area of the Nuns’ bakery: to allow for more efficient cheesecake packing and shipping.
· Crafted cheesecakes for people all over the country to enjoy or to gift to families and friends afar. (Including seasonal flavors).
· Appreciated the privilege of training dogs from people entrusting us with their canine family member.
· Whelped German Shepherd puppies and matched them with their forever families.
· Replaced shingles: in an expanded area of the Nun’s monastery as part of systemic proactive measures to reduce the chance of damage.
Ways To Give
New Skete Monasteries
Monetary donations are the simplest way to support New Skete and can be used immediately for our current needs. Gifts may be made by personal check, cashier's check, money order, cash (not recommended by mail) or click on the Donate button below to quickly and safely donate with your credit card. We are a 501[c3] organization and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Some individuals choose to make the monastics recipients of part of their tithes on a regular basis, either weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. All gifts are promptly acknowledged and you may choose to remain anonymous with your contribution.
Checks may be mailed to:
New Skete Monasteries
PO Box 128
Cambridge, NY 12816
Nuns of New Skete
Mail to:
Nuns of New Skete
343 Ashgrove Rd
Cambridge, NY 12816
or
518-677-3928 ext 214