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As Br. Keith Nelson wrote in our Pentecost 2026 newsletter, “Mission has been core to SSJE’s charism – our spiritual ‘DNA’ as a Religious Order in the Church – since our founding. As we understand it, mission happens whenever we are sent out into the world with the purpose of sharing the Gospel with others – and receiving their witness to the Gospel in return.”

With five dedicated Mission Weekends throughout the program year, as well as other times of ministry both locally and beyond the Diocese of Massachusetts (including with Common Cathedral, in prison, and in spiritual direction), we Brothers are excited for many opportunities both to share and receive the Gospel.

Please see below a list of where we Brothers are headed this year!

September 25-27, 2026 (Mission Weekend)

• St. Michael and All Angels, Issaquah, Washington
• Contemplative Action Network (Abiding Hope grantee), Manchester, NH
• Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna, Virginia
• St. Columba’s, Pa’auilo, Hawaii

October 1-4

• Clergy of Diocese of Ohio; St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; and St. Barnabas, Bay Village, Ohio
• St. James, Waimea, Hawaii

October 9-11

• St. Clement’s, Honolulu, Hawaii

November 3-6

• School of Theology, University of the South (Seminary Project), Sewanee, Tennessee

November 6-8 (Mission Weekend)

• Province V of the Episcopal Church (Abiding Hope grantee), at St. Paul’s, Flint, Michigan
• St. Stephen’s, Edina, Minnesota

December 1-3

• Retreat for Bishops of Province I

December 4-6

• Trinity-by-the-Cove, Naples, Florida

January 22-24, 2027 (Mission Weekend)

• Church of the Nativity, Raleigh, North Carolina
• St. Mary the Virgin, New York City, New York

February 12-14

• Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk, Virginia

February 17-19

• The Claggett Center (Abiding Hope grantee), Adamstown, Maryland

March 5-7 (Mission Weekend)

• Community of St. Francis and St. Clare/St. Peter’s, Kerrville, Texas
• St. James, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Texas
• St. Andrews, Edgartown, Massachusetts

April 16-18 (Mission Weekend)

• St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, Alexandria, Virginia
• St. John’s Cathedral, Denver, Colorado
• St. Paul’s, Beauford, North Carolina
• Diocese of Nevada

Join us on Saturday morning, October 24, as Br. Lucas Hall leads a program on praying with scripture using lectio divina, or sacred reading.

Lectio divina is a hallmark of monastic prayer, and has been practiced for centuries. This form of prayer involves a reciprocal process, outward and inward, back-and-forth, giving and receiving, while engaging with Scripture or other holy texts. This workshop on lectio divina will explore both the practice of this form of prayer and the underlying meaning behind it.

Learn more and register, and explore all opportunities in our Learning to Pray series.

We Brothers are happy to welcome students throughout the week for our normal round of prayer and worship. We particularly invite you to enter into the rhythm of monastic life each Tuesday evening during the academic year (September through May). The evening begins with the Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m., followed by a simple supper and conversation. Most weeks the evening ends with the office of Compline, where we pray for a “peaceful night and a perfect end.” All are welcome to attend each of these offerings, in any combination. No RSVP is necessary.

Our normal schedule for the academic year resumes on Tuesday, September 8.

Learn more about this and other opportunities for students.

God has given us the gift of prayer, but it can be so difficult to know where to begin. Indeed, many of us will feel that we are beginners in prayer our whole lives! Join Brothers throughout this program year for teaching on various prayer practices and themes. No prior experience is necessary; teaching is introductory but relevant for those who may want to recommit themselves to a particular practice or to discover more in the company of others. Come simply with a desire to learn and grow in your relationship with God.

This series is in-person only. All programs take place on Saturday mornings, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Learn more about each program and register by following the links below. You may register for any or all programs using the same registration form.

Praying with Scripture
October 24, 2026
Led by Br. Lucas Hall

Prayer and the Path to Healing
December 19, 2026
Led by Br. Jack Crowley

Contemplative Prayer for Beginners
January 16, 2027
Led by Br. Keith Nelson

Praying with Water
February 13, 2027
Led by Br. Jamie Nelson

Imagination, Prayer, and Encounter
April 3, 2027
Led by Br. Lain Wilson

Making Prayer
June 26, 2027
Led by Br. Luke Ditewig

You are invited to join the SSJE Brothers across the Church year for feast day worship, shared food, and conversation.

Thursday, August 6, 2026
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Saturday, August 15, 2026
St. Mary the Virgin
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Holy Cross Day (transferred)
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Tuesday, September 29, 2026
St. Michael and All Angels
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Sunday, November 1, 2026
All Saints
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Sunday, November 22, 2026
Christ the King
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Wednesday, January 6, 2027
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Sunday, January 10, 2027
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Tuesday, February 2, 2027
The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Sunday, February 7, 2027
Sunday of the Transfiguration
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Tuesday, April 6, 2027
Annunciation (transferred)
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Saturday, May 1, 2027
Saint John’s Day
11 a.m., followed by reception

Thursday, May 6, 2027
Ascension Day
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Sunday, May 16, 2027
Day of Pentecost
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Sunday, May 23, 2027
Trinity Sunday
9 a.m., followed by refreshments

Thursday, May 27, 2027
Corpus Christi
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Thursday, June 24, 2027
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
6 p.m., followed by community supper

Tuesday, June 29, 2027
St. Peter and St. Paul
6 p.m., followed by community supper

We are pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of The Abiding Hope Grant. 

Three recipients were chosen out of 34 applicants for support in the 2026-27 grant cycle:

• Contemplative Action Network (Manchester, New Hampshire), for the “Ambassador Accompaniment Training” program

• Province V of The Episcopal Church (Midwest Region), for the “Parish-based Young Adult and Campus Ministry: From Chasing Relevance to Seeking Resonance” program

• The Claggett Center (Adamstown, Maryland), for launching a “Chesapeake Center for Contemplative Ecology” program

The Abiding Hope Grant aims to strengthen and support ministries of Christian spiritual formation within The Episcopal Church that are aligned with SSJE’s values, charism, and mission. Grant recipients will not only receive financial support but also enter into a collaborative relationship that includes spiritual accompaniment, shared programming, and participation in SSJE’s life of prayer and formation.

Complete information about the grant can be found here. Read more about it in Br. Keith Nelson’s letter for our Lent seasonal newsletter.

As a Religious Order in the Episcopal Church we live under both vows and statutes. SSJE’s statute 17 makes provision for a Brother to live outside of the monastery in Cambridge or Emery House, under special circumstances. Br. David Vryhof has initiated such a request and, with our permission and blessing, will be moving to an independent living facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in late June. Grand Rapids is David’s hometown, and he will be close to his siblings and several other family members. Br. David remains an SSJE Brother, will continue to live our life of prayer and ministry in this new setting, and will return to Cambridge at various times during the year.

Please join us for a simple reception following the 9 a.m. Holy Eucharist on Trinity Sunday, May 31, to mark this transition in Br. David’s life and ours.

The footpath connecting University Road to Memorial Drive is still currently blocked for ongoing construction on Memorial Drive. Please use the detour via Ash Street to reach the Monastery. The Chapel is accessible via the ramp at the left of the Chapel plaza and the elevator, and is open during normal hours.

We are happy to announce Br. Jamie Nelson’s initial profession of vows in the Society of Saint John the Evangelist on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11 a.m. We hope you can join us, either in person or online, for this joyful celebration!