Dear friends,
Living in a time of so much uncertainty has not been easy for any of us, I know. At the Spiritual Renewal Center, we have discussed at length how best to continue serving God’s people when it is not safe to gather and no one seems to know when it will be.
These past months were fruitful despite the stay-at-home orders, as we offered multiple online bible studies, an 8-week Ignatian retreat, an online day of renewal, as well as continuing our ministry of spiritual direction through video sessions with large numbers of people participating.
We were hoping to begin a partial re-opening of the Center itself at the end of June. But the magnitude of extra responsibilities to maintain the safety of visitors at the Center were too onerous for our limited team of staff and volunteers, and the budget stresses we are facing. And so, reluctantly, I have decided it will be best to delay even a partial re-opening until after Labor Day.
During these summer months, however, we will of course continue with our ministry of spiritual direction for individuals. New requests to meet with a director will be met promptly by members of our experienced and gifted direction staff. If you feel led to begin spiritual direction, by all means contact the Center through our website or by email and we’ll get you started.
We will be available by phone Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the summer months to answer questions, take registrations, prayer requests, 0r book requests at the main Center number – 315-472-6546. Andrea, my administrative assistant, will be at the Center during those hours, although the Center doors will remain locked and visitors cannot be admitted.
Following the example of the public libraries, we are also making our library available for the borrowing of books. If you are interested, peruse our online database through and send an email or call with the title(s) of books you’d like to borrow. Andrea will pull the books from the shelf, and you can arrange to have them delivered to your car in our parking lot. You can also return books by pre-arrangement with Andrea, and they will be re-shelved following the recommended three days of isolation.
This newsletter will give you a taste of all the good things we have planned for the fall. If we can safely gather at the Center by then we will do so; and they will be simultaneously livestreamed for people who wish to participate from home. Or, if the Center must remain closed these events will be entirely online.
And of course, we are so grateful for any financial assistance you can offer during these trying days. We need your help! You can send donations through the mail, or through our website using a credit card. Your gifts of support keep this ministry alive and thriving – and I thank you!
Better days are coming for all of us!
Peace in Christ,
Jim Krisher
Director
