Our board met virtually last week, and we were very encouraged. Like many of you, we have adjusted to the times with virtual conversations, groups and retreats. The work of spiritual friendship continues to expand – we’ve even started a new group of 30 somethings by Zoom. Norm’s writing and other media efforts continue to reach an ever-expanding virtual community.

Susan mentioned the other day that illustrators have created a picture of the coronavirus that’s too pretty. I was thinking they might make a marketable Christmas ornament. The whole world is in a season of Advent waiting expectantly for the most effective Covid 19 treatments and vaccines to arrive and free us from the cloud of the pandemic.

Partying crowds occasionally make the news and many are aghast at our lack of social distancing in a time of pandemic. What to do about it? How do we stop it? How dangerous is it? Perplexing times with absolute certainty unavailable for most questions. But plenty of strong opinions offered – often angrily.

We’ve been connecting virtually over the last few months and it does put a strain on us all. I’ve been thinking about a different metaphor for our connections. Two Muskoka chairs facing a lake/mountain scene is the picture on the cover of my book Spiritual Friendship. It represents two friends, in reflective, prayerful conversation listening to God, one another and the world around them. Spiritual friendship, as we have come to understand and encourage it, is a connection between some friends in which their practice of listening or contemplative prayer as individuals combines with that of another(s) for intentional times of listening to the moves of Spirit in each other’s life.