Village View – Week of October 25

October is fading fast, and we are busy preparing for the winter months, with a sense of purpose and conviction, despite the uncertainty that surrounds us.

We know that we face challenges in the months ahead in keeping the Abode and ourselves in condition to welcome a rejuvenating spring and to serve  friends and guests once again.

We are still hollowing out, with the winnowing – hopefully – nearly complete. We have been tested, surely, and I believe that we are each emerging stronger, more capable, and also more caring. We need to care for ourselves first and foremost, to be able to capably serve others.

As we prepare for a winter of care-taking, we are also planning and doing.  Many hands and hearts are at work on these fronts, allowing us to meet our challenges, even when faced with difficult particulars. We have so much more to do…

•    We are on the cusp of beginning the construction of the new central courtyard. We recently held a blessing and community celebration on campus, and offered a prayer for our friend Peter Count, who led us to this new beginning. We will be providing ongoing visual updates as this new creation emerges.

•    We are creating a service structure that is lean, focused on Sacred Hospitality, and committed to serving a broad array of seekers who wish to step away from the day-to-day and connect more deeply with what is most meaningful.  We believe that this orientation is an essential manifestation of the Message, and how the Abode can best continue to serve it as a community. We will need to rely on a small team of staff and committed volunteers. We will post specific service opportunities as openings emerge. (See the first such opportunity below this letter.)

•    We are expecting a different operating and cultural environment come spring, and are working to be flexible and nimble operationally, but also clear and compelling in our call and our offering to seekers. We will need to offer less, so that we can serve more.

We have much to do to. But beauty is emerging, and making our work meaningful.

With love and gratitude,

Al

Sufi Message Class led by Shakur

Thursday, October 29 | 7:00 PM EDT

Join Shakur and friends for meditations and practices involving silence, attitude, and breath for attuning to our inner self and nature with a positive attitude.

Over the next three weeks Shakur will also guide us through three of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Iron Rules. This week we look at Iron Rule Four: My conscientious self, do not boast of your good deeds.

As we nestle into autumn, take this chance to go deep within using these practices to open our inner being to Love, Harmony, and Hope.

Join us via Zoom every Thursday with password: 493634

The Abode is looking for experienced maintenance folks to oversee facilities and upkeep at its historic New Lebanon, NY campus. Both full-time and part-time positions are available. On-campus housing is also available.

The Abode maintenance team consists of both full and part-time staff and volunteer labor.  The facilities department is responsible for…

• All aspects of facility and grounds maintenance

• Engineering

• Management and programming maintenance for all fire, security, and HVAC equipment

• Custodial and security operations.

The Abode has openings for full and part-time employment. Experience in the construction trades is required.