Washington National Cathedral

Experience a morning of stillness, hospitality, discovery, and renewal throughout the sparkling summer spaces of the Cathedral and grounds. Together we will explore how our intentions for community, wisdom, and transformation can revolutionize our lives. And together we will reflect upon and celebrate the many communities that companion us on the journey.

When approached with intention, the many communities that surround us can serve as flowing currents of wisdom that support and cheer us along the journey of radical balance. Greg Finch, Director of the Community of Reconciliation will lead us in a discovery of the ways we can bring community, wisdom, and transformation to bear in our relationships, homes, schools, and work.

Participants will experience times for stillness, reflection, conversation, learning, and exploration along with times for reflection and renewal in the great spaces of the Cathedral. The morning continues with a special State of the Community address with the director to reflect upon the year past and imagine the year ahead. The afternoon concludes with a picnic lunch as we create time for hospitality with the various folks and communities that call the Community of Reconciliation a part of their spiritual lives.

This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about this monastery beyond walls, for ongoing companions to learn together, for constellation affiliates to get to know one another, and for all to set aside time for reflection and renewal. Wherever you are on the journey—whatever life stage, faith tradition, or perspective—you will come away refreshed with new strategies for life balance and renewal at home, work, and in the swirling world around us.

Additional details will be coming soon in the monthly Community News and Reflections up here if you wish to receive the monthly e-newsletter.

About the Listening, Hearing, and Living series

These once-a-month, Saturday sessions set apart time and space to listen for the ancient yet evergreen rhythms embodied in the monastic way of Saint Benedict— a gentle model for practical, balanced, harmonious living. In this “monastery beyond walls” we still ourselves to hear deep spiritual wisdom for our lives— our families, our work, and our relationships. We gather with the support and encouragement of others of like intention to live lives that embrace balance and foster reconciliation and renewal throughout our world.

We listen, we hear, we live.

In a dynamic learning dialogue woven from the wisdom and practice of scholars, leaders, and active contemplatives steeped in the Benedictine tradition, we enrich our experience of community, wisdom, and transformation. Sessions can be experienced independently or as part of a complete series each year. Whatever your tradition, faith perspective, or life stage—if you seek the way of balance and reconciliation you are welcome.

Order of the Day

10 am
Gather for registration with light refreshments in the Cathedral College

10:15–10:45 am
Welcome, Centering, and Setting of Intention

10:45 am–12:55 pm
Community, Wisdom, Transformation…Wading into Radical Balance

12:55 pm
Blessing

1:15–2:45 pm
Community picnic, Cathedral spaces and grounds. Bring lunch to share