Community News from SSJE | Summer 2025
Community News from SSJE
SUMMER 2025
At the prayers of the people in our liturgy, we sometimes pray “for all nations, peoples, tribes, and families, that we may find in our differences cause for curiosity and wonder, and that in our shared humanity we may see the face of Christ.” I am praying with those intentions daily as we witness the profound suffering in our nation and in our world caused by fear of difference, and the profit reaped by those who sow such fear. Please know that we Brothers pray in loving solidarity with so many of you who know this persecution firsthand, or minister to those who do.
It has been just shy of one year since my Brothers elected me Superior of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. There’s a steep learning curve that comes with this demanding role. Sometimes during conversation after our Sunday liturgy, someone will lean in a little closer, a particular glint of concern in their eyes, and ask, “So…how’s it going?” The answer that springs up most naturally is, “One day at a time, with God’s help.” This, I have realized, is a wonderful aspiration for how to live the whole of my life in Christ – not just the responsibilities I bear. Beginning afresh each new day, receiving it in thanks and giving my love and attention to the tasks, the meetings, the encounters, planned and unplanned, that await me. After all, Jesus said, “And can an any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? … Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
In this experience, I have often remembered my time as a novice in the Society. There is great spiritual potency in being a novice – even if, a bit like being an adolescent, we don’t realize it at the time and are simply bent with urgency on “growing up” to join the ranks of our professed brothers. Novices are beginners. The adage from the spiritual classic Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind is apropos: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few.” And so too is the wisdom of our founder, Fr. Benson: “When does the novitiate end? Only with this world’s life!” It is humbling to remember, “Oh wait…this isn’t just a phase!” Yes, as I look toward the second year of my first term as Superior, I’m starting to understand my own approach to leadership by hard-won experience. But my prayer is that, as I do, to stay connected with the tender trust and humility I have known in this second “novitiate.”
As a relatively new priest, ordained in December of 2023, one of the most meaningful priestly “firsts” I experienced this year has been presiding at our Easter Vigil liturgy, in the course of which we baptized three young adults. At the rehearsal, one of them whispered to me: “I heard it’s your first baptism – well, me too!” Many Christians, of course, will never be a monastic Superior or a novice, but in our baptismal vows we all have a foundational vocation as beginners. Our life in Christ is a journey in which we learn, day by day, the humble trust enshrined in the response to the baptismal promises: “I will, with God’s help.” What a joy and privilege to be reminded of that truth so directly as I poured water and smeared chrism on three courageous young people beginning their sacramental participation in the pilgrim Church.
The monastery is, as ever, alive with hope and promise, restoring silence and words ringing with truth, serious conversation and joyful laughter. I pray that as you read what we’ve been up to below you’ll feel the spark of your own baptismal vocation to begin and begin again, with God’s help.
It is a joy and a blessing to share our life with you!
In Jesus, our light and our life –
Br. Keith Nelson, SSJE
Superior
Br. James Koester recently returned from a nine-month sabbatical after his final term as Superior.
My sabbatical “project” was visiting archives that hold a significant SSJE collection. My travels took me to Toronto, Bracebridge, and Sault Ste. Marie (all in Canada); San Francisco, Baltimore, and Maine (all in the US); London and Oxford (in the UK); Johannesburg and Cape Town (in South Africa).
It was wonderful to see and handle the historic record of our activity in these places, and humbling to hear how we are still remembered, even decades after we withdrew from those places. Wherever I could, I spent time visiting churches where the community served, former mission houses where we lived, and cemeteries where Brothers are now buried.
On a couple of occasions, I had the opportunity to preach, or preside at the Eucharist, or even just stand, in places where our predecessors in the Society once stood. I felt an enormous connection not only to what once was, but what is now, and how the legacy of SSJE is being carried on into the future in these places.
In South Africa my “shepherd” was Fr. Michael Weeder, the former Dean of Cape Town and one-time priest in charge of St. Philip’s Church, which Fr. Puller SSJE and Fr. Shepherd SSJE along with Brother Gilbert established in 1884, to serve the multicultural neighbourhood that was to become District Six in Cape Town. To preach and preside at St. Philip’s was an experience of entering a story that includes not only members of the Society, and the saints and martyrs of the Church, such as Bernard Mizeki, but also the heartbreak of apartheid when so many of the parishioners were forcibly removed to the townships surrounding Cape Town, after the area was declared a “whites only” neighborhood.
On another occasion I preached in the chapel at St. Stephen’s House in Oxford, once our former mission house, and now a theological college of the Church of England. There on the walls of the chapel are the memorial boards listing every departed member of the Society from Fr. Freeborn Coggeshall, who died in 1876 to Br. David Allen who died in 2020. On that occasion the communion of saints was not simply a theological statement recited in the Creeds, but a lived and felt reality.
Find out more about Br. James' sabbatical in this conversation with Br. Lain for the FSJ.
Br. Jack | The biggest joy in my life right now is being able to serve the Community in my roles as the Deputy Superior, Treasurer, Vocations Brother, and Facilities Brother. I have had to do a lot of learning with each of these roles while maintaining my life as a monk. I find our steady stream of worship and prayer to be a source of stability as I serve in these roles. I also had the pleasure of leading my “Praying with Darkness” retreat this winter and will be leading it again in the upcoming program year. I am also looking forward to creating and leading a retreat based upon the spirituality of the 12 steps for this upcoming program year.
Br. Luke | It was a pleasure to lead a Lenten retreat with Br. Jamie at Emery House. Beyond being with him in a favorite place, I appreciated connecting to the land with our teaching, in praying together outside, and in the silent solidarity of service collecting trash from the riverbank. Some staffing changes have prompted me to learn on many new fronts including internal processes and our software ecosystem. I found a few new advisors and consultants. Like our employees, we value their professional expertise, and I am grateful to work with them.
Br. Jonathan | Together with Br. David, I joined the ecumenical/interfaith gathering for prayer and a march to the Statehouse sponsored by the Massachusetts Council of Churches in support of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition for its 29th Annual Immigrants Day. With Br. Jamie, I attended the Trans Day of Visibility Interfaith Service at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, on the Boston College campus. As director of the Fellowship of Saint John, I hosted, with Br. Keith, an online “Come and See” for those inquiring into possible membership, and presented ten new members for admission to the Fellowship on Saint John’s Day, May 3.
Br. David | Much of my time and attention in recent months has been devoted to caring for my 100-year-old father, who needed assistance since being hospitalized last fall. The Community has very generously given me time away to care for him at his home in Michigan.
In the coming year, I hope to continue studying the Gospel of John and doing further work on the guidelines for spiritual discernment suggested by St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises – the former because it is at the heart of our Community’s spirituality; the latter because these guidelines have been so useful for making major decisions in my life. I hope to share what I’m learning in a retreat and a workshop.
In January, Br. Curtis and I plan to lead a second pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama – this time with a group of 30 young adults – to learn more about our nation’s history of racial injustice. We will be visiting the three “legacy” sites in Montgomery – a museum, memorial, and outdoor sculpture park – created by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).
Br. Curtis | I have lived in the Community for 38 fulfilling and quite adventurous years. One of the joys of now being an elder Brother is “downward mobility” (Henri Nouwen’s term). I have served in leadership in a number of roles. Now this season of my life is much more about followership, doing what I can to enable and encourage the younger Brothers in their leadership. In our Rule of Life, we speak (twice) about our orientation to “God’s future.” I am quite inspired to participate in that vision from quite a new perspective, as an elder in reserve. I read avidly, and I do an amount of hands-on work for the Community. I find this a helpful complement to the pastoral ministry in which I am still actively engaged.
Br. James | Last September I began a nine-month sabbatical following the conclusion of my time as Superior. During that time, I was able to do several things, including spending Christmas with my family for the first time since 1983! Having just returned to the Monastery, I am not yet sure where these archival explorations will lead, but stay tuned, as I am sure as I continue to absorb them, the fruit of my time away will be evident in my preaching, my conversation, and my writing. I am grateful both to the Brothers, who enabled this time away to happen, and also to all of you who upheld me in your prayers.
Br. Geoffrey | During these past months I have been more and more involved in our Latino ministries, which have been a very great blessing. On March 15, Deacon Ema Rosero and I led a day retreat for “Las Damas de la Fuente,” women from the parish of St Luke’s/San Lucas in Chelsea. It was held at the beautifully restored Allston Abbey. Then on April 12, we led a bilingual retreat for the parishes of Grace Church Lawrence, St. Anne’s Church Lowell, and Trinity Church Haverhill. It was held at Grace Church. It was very well attended, and a good opportunity for these parishes to share a precious time together. A few weeks later I also preached and presided at the Spanish Sunday Eucharist at Lawrence.
At the end of March, my brother Michael came over from Oxford to stay for a week, and we had a wonderful time exploring Boston, Cambridge, Emery House, and the North Shore, and enjoying New England hospitality.
As Initially Professed Guardian, I have been meeting regularly with our initially professed Brother, Lain. Most recently we have been reading Pascal’s Pensées and Milton’s Paradise Lost.
With all the rain, our gardens have sprung to life, as have the weeds! But it is such a gift to have these precious green spaces to walk and pray in.
Br. Lucas | I have continued to work in our regular student ministry and men’s ministry groups, and helped lead a men’s retreat at Emery House at the end of May. I’ve also increasingly taken on a role in our singing and chanting, and am now helping to lead that part of our worship.
Br. Lain | The past six months have been incredibly rich. I was humbled to be asked to lead the Lenten retreat at my former parish, Christ Church Georgetown, at which I connected with old friends and new. I’ve grown into my role as Guest Brother, and look forward to a new role in the Community in July supporting our various communications. I’m excited to welcome a group of three summer residents in July and August and two academic year residents in September, and to lead two retreats in the fall, including one on St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I appreciate Br. Geoffrey’s care as my Initially Professed Guardian, and especially our opportunity to fill in all my theological, literary, and historical knowledge gaps. Finally, I’ve begun training for my first marathon, in October in Washington, DC, which is already daunting!
Br. Jamie | Since the start of 2025, I’ve participated in several SSJE ministries for the first time as a leader. This has included teaching on prayer with Br. David in the Diocese of Maine in February, leading a retreat at Emery House with Br. Luke in April, and leading a retreat on the Psalms with Br. Jonathan in May. I’m excited to delve into the topics I have chosen for my next retreat offerings. Recently, my prayer and study have reflected two new-to-me interests: the history of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and ministry to seafarers. To that end, I hope to begin volunteering with a local organization serving seafarers at the Port of Boston. Another matter close to my heart and regularly occupying my prayers is the impact of the Trump Administration’s executive orders targeting transgender people. I give thanks for the work of Lambda Legal and other organizations engaged in ongoing legal advocacy.
New Formation Series:
Each day, we Brothers gather beneath the gaze of sixteen of our forebears in the religious life, spanning from Anthony of Egypt in the third century to our own founder, Richard Meux Benson, in the nineteenth. As the sun illuminates their faces in our clerestory windows, creating icons in glass, so did their own faces—and lives—shine with the light of new life in Christ through his death and resurrection. “In your light,” we pray with the psalmist, “we see light” (Ps 36:9).
In a series of video reflections from the Brothers on our monastic ancestors, we invite you to reflect on your own “family tree of faith.” Whose face shines out God’s light and love into your heart? Whose example inspires you to make your own life “shine like stars in the world” (Phil. 2:15)?
Join SSJE in Celebrating the Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
This month is a time for people of faith to renew their relationship with God and all creation through celebration, prayer, and action.
Celebrate
Join the Brothers in feast day worship, shared food, and conversation during the Season of Creation. All are welcome to mark these key celebrations of the Church.
- Holy Cross Day (Sunday, September 14). Holy Eucharist at 9 AM, followed by refreshments.
- Saint Michael and All Angels (Tuesday, September 30). Holy Eucharist at 6 PM, followed by supper.
Pray
In addition to our full retreat and program calendar, we draw your attention to some special ways you may join the Brothers in praying with and for all that God has made.
- Quiet Day at the Monastery. September 2
- River, Forest, Meadow, Hearth (Program retreat at Emery House). September 4-7.
- Christ in the Wild (Saturday program at Emery House). September 27.
- Praying with the Earth (Program retreat at the Monastery). October 2-5.
Fellowship of Saint John
The Fellowship of Saint John comprises nearly 1,000 men and women throughout the world who desire to live their Christian life in special association with the Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
We were honored to receive 10 new members to the Fellowship of Saint John this past May. Longtime friend Marilyn Moedinger delivered a rousing homily, which you can watch below.
Monastic Residency Program
Kelsy Hillesheim, who received her MDiv from Boston University, reflects on her time living alongside the Community from 2023 to 2025 as a monastic resident.
When I first moved into the Monastery Guesthouse in 2023, I had no way of knowing the depth of refuge I would find. I applied to the Monastic Residency Program as I neared the end of my first year of seminary at the Boston University School of Theology, drawn to the idea of an immersive opportunity for formation that could prepare me to minister to others as a lay chaplain. Indeed, I found this formation – and much more than I could ever have imagined – in my time in residence with the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
One of the gifts of Guesthouse ministry is its preparation for one of the more challenging aspects of chaplaincy, and of life: letting go. Chaplaincy is a ministry of presence, one where I get to journey alongside a person for a time with no guarantee we will meet again in this life. Nearly every week I saw people come and go through the Guesthouse, some of whom would eventually become dear friends, and others whom I may never again see this side of Heaven. Through this pattern of presence and parting with my fellow sojourners, whether retreatants, graduate students at Student Tuesdays, or even fellow monastic residents, patterns of prayer and presence provided me sustenance. Throughout my nearly two years in residence, these daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms of prayer and liturgy slowly eased their way into my heart and mind. Over time the daily office became a mirror, illumining the state of my soul in the light of Christ’s constancy.
Perhaps the greatest gift the Brothers gave me, though, was refuge to heal and rest. Despite departing my shoebox apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for Boston in 2022, I still had not fully reckoned with the realities of having lived in New York through the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. After muddling through those years of “keeping calm and carrying on,” I had difficulty confronting all I had experienced. The academic stress of first year only compounded that difficulty. Though I did not know it yet, through the kindness and hospitality of the Brothers, the Monastery would become a place where my weary soul could find rest and where my body and mind could heal. Here, my heart and soul once again found peace, and with it, room to grow in love of God and neighbor, ultimately culminating in my baptism at this year’s Easter Vigil.
The rhythm of prayer, the Eucharist, and community all continue to sustain me now as I complete my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Havenwood Heritage Heights, a continuing care retirement community in Concord, New Hampshire. One of the great joys of this time has been meeting members of the Fellowship of Saint John who reside here, including Joan and Cam Borton and the Rev. Audrey Murdock. It has been wonderful to hear through them of the deep bonds of fellowship that FSJ members share with the Brothers and each other throughout their lives and ministries, even from afar. Their stories give me hope that my own bonds of fellowship forged as a monastic resident might too stand the test of time – that even in the ebb and flow of living and letting go, we might be still and know we are not alone.
We Brothers are touched by how many people ask how they can support us as a Community.
- We need and welcome your prayers: prayers for vocations, prayers for wisdom and guidance, particularly during this season of generational transition.
- If some aspect of our ministry impacts you, please encourage friends, family and your church community to explore our offerings.
- We do also rely on the financial support of friends. Gifts of any amount are valued and important. Recurring monthly gifts are especially helpful for us, as they grant us stability throughout the year. They are monitored daily by a responsive staff person and can be promptly adjusted at any time according to your wishes.
For your prayers for us, your companionship, and financial support, all formative expressions of love, we thank you. We are grateful for your presence in our life.
Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 980 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
617-876-3037 | friends@ssje.org
Dear Brother Keith,
Your message as Superior was most enlightening .Thank you for sharing your with us.