SSJE – A Monastic community in the Anglican Episcopal tradition.

Welcome to SSJE

We are a community of men giving our whole selves over to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rooted in the ancient monastic traditions of prayer and community life, and critically engaged with contemporary culture, we seek to know and share an authentic experience of God’s love and mercy. We live a common life shaped by worship, prayer, and our Rule of Life.

We invite you to explore these pages to learn more about how we live and pray, the tradition that grounds us, and the call that draws us onward day by day.

Worship Schedule | Rule of Life | Catch the Life

News from the Monastery & Emery House

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Please pray for Br. Keith’s Ordination: Tuesday, 19 December

Violence and the Promise of God

Chaos Better: a new issue of Cowley

A Trip to Sewanee

Candlelight Compline for Advent

The Ordo Advent 2023 through Advent 2024

Br. Geoffrey on Mission in Bogata

Emery House: a pause

SSJE at CAROA Gathering

Saturday Workshops Return

Student Tuesdays

Suppers & Refreshments

Brother, Give Us A Word

A daily meditation to start your day. Subscribe here >

Waiting

Advent is not simply a time of waiting for the birth of a child and the beginning of a life. It is also a time when we wait for the end of time and the fulfillment of all things. We wait not just for the beginning, but also for the end; not just for the coming of God as savior, but also as judge and redeemer of all.

Br. James Koester, SSJE
Read More and Comment >

Recent Sermons from the Chapel

Visions of Heaven on Earth – Br. Jim Woodrum

By Br. Jim Woodrum | November 16, 2023 |

“Jesus’ descriptions are not about heavenly visions, but rather portray heaven dressed in earthy tones: a field, hidden treasure, and a pearl of great value, a mustard seed, and like yeast added to flour for leaven. Instead of describing a fantasy, Jesus is clothing the kingdom of heaven in a way that makes it accessible for his audience. The kingdom is not distant, but rather, directly in front of their very eyes.”

Br. Jim Woodrum encourages us to name how the Kingdom of Heaven appears in the homely treasures of our everyday life.

Keep Awake – Br. Luke Ditewig

By Br. Luke Ditewig | November 12, 2023 |

“Even when it seems too late, God still hears our cries and comes. This parable gives warning but not to fear. It urges to live for the party, not just to plan to attend later, but to live now alert and generous. God’s kingdom, the new way of living, is not a ticket to exit later, but a life of celebrating through sharing now.”

In a parable that might be cause for fear, Br. Luke Ditewig finds a cause for rejoicing and an invitation to be wildly generous with life.

Accepting Joy – Br. Luke Ditewig

By Br. Luke Ditewig | November 9, 2023 |

“Remember what it feels like to be lost. Separated from a parent or friend. Not knowing where you are. Caught up in pride through pleasures or resentments like the lost sons later in this parable. Hungry for love.
Remember what it feels like to be found.”

Br. Luke Ditewig encourages us to pray with our bodies: both the feeling of being lost and the joy of being found.

The Great Dinner – Br. James Koester

By Br. James Koester | November 7, 2023 |

“Like so much else in Scripture, food exists, not simply to fill our bellies, although it does. Scripture speaks of food as a sign, a symbol, a sacrament, of something much larger.”

Br. James Koester urges us to accept God’s invitation to the feast.

Mary’s Brain – Br. Lain Wilson

By Br. Lain Wilson | November 7, 2023 |

“Of all the young women God could have chosen, God chose Mary. And what is the first thing we find out about her? That she hears the angel’s news, is perplexed, ponders over his words, and questions him. The first thing we find out about Mary is that she responds to God by using her own God-given faculties of reason and intelligence.”

Br. Lain Wilson celebrates how, like Mary, what we offer back to the Lord is our unique response to God, our unique way of bearing God into the world.