Br. Keith Nelson, SSJE
Keith Nelson, SSJE grew up first in New Jersey, then in Alabama. He studied at Kenyon College and Harvard Divinity School. Prior to his arrival at SSJE in 2014, he worked in secondary and adult education, as well as in church administration. He was life professed in 2019, and has served the community as Assistant Superior, Novice Guardian, and director of the Monastic Internship Program. He enjoys drawing and painting, journaling, hiking, spending time with trees, and foraging (a new hobby!).
Learn more about Br. Keith's Catch the Life journey to monastic life >
Selection of Br. Keith's teachings from "Brother, Give Us a Word"
Listen
Jesus knew the needs of those around him because he listened intently. He also knew that people experience the healing presence of God when they are able to listen to their own needs and are invited to name them, so he asked questions like “What do you want me to do for you?” and “What…
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If you are in the habit of listening to people, you’ll know the discipline it can take to remain centered in the primary stance of wholehearted presence and availability without succumbing to our own commentary, our desire to rescue or problem-solve, or even the subtle temptation to augment another’s ego. This discipline is Wisdom’s yoke.…
Read MoreRelationship
Social, cultural, and political forces in the world are so often beyond our control. It is in our ordinary and loving relationships with others, within the Church and outside it, that we carry the greatest hope of practicing mission as Jesus did: embodying God’s mission one relationship at a time. -Br. Keith Nelson, SSJE Read…
Read MoreSelection of Br. Keith's writing
“So many realities require direct confrontation: the weight of such historic oppression, the ways the white Church has caused or colluded with it, so much suffering. In a place of such woundedness and so many ghosts, I confronted the question: What can I possibly do to help?”
In this heartfelt interview, Br. Keith Nelson shares some of the challenges and inspirations that he gleaned during his time in Navajoland.
Read More“It is quite easy to heap up empty phrases. In such moments, what hope do we have? For me, it is the Lord’s Prayer.”
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“It is humbling to know and feel that we belong: that the threads of our being are woven into a fabric so much bigger than we can comprehend, and all for the fulfillment of God’s purpose.”
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