Yes, you can still join the 12 Days of Christmas Contemplations, our contemplative email retreat into the heart of Christmas for dancing monks, weary pilgrims and kindred spirits who long for a deeper way. You now can even gift this gift to another kindred spirit. Or become a sustaining member of this journey (see more below…)

Dear fellow traveler,

Our four year old has birthed the Jesus baby many times these last weeks.

She does not care much about church seasons.

She just rides in on her donkey (Chuck), carries one of her stuffed animals to term, and falls down in front of me (Joseph) so I can assist with the birthing process.

Some deep breathing, some pushing and Jesus (teddy bear) falls into the straw (blankets on the floor).

I must clean the Jesus baby (because birthing is messy!) and then lay it into her arms so she can warm and nurse it.

Our little one’s earnest play reminds me that Christmas isn’t a season but a journey. We must bend deep, breath slowly and then birth new life into our world.

Every year again I arrive at the Advent door somewhat weary.

What could I possibly say that would console the hearts of those exhausted and numb from too long a journey through pandemic years, political and personal turmoil; what could I possibly write in this aching world?

And then I hear a whisper that says “Take courage!”

And then 90 fellow pilgrims (and counting) signed up for our 12 Days of Christmas Contemplations since my last email to you!

(If you did so, thank you! You should have gotten an email last Friday titled “Soon and very soon.” Please make sure to check your Spam if you have not received it. Or go directly here and sign yourself in for free. Thank you.)

And so I will again take courage, inviting you all in. Not only into our Christmas journey but also into our vision for The Cloister, and into the inner circle of support for this new venture.

So, breathing out once more, taking courage, let me present in more detail, with fear and trembling, our first member drive ever.

Birthing a new chapter

I have been laboring hard in the last weeks to find a new home for our newsletters, which would allow me to concentrate more on writing instead on web-designing or marketing (I am pretty bad at the latter!).

I have now started to move our newsletter over to Substack, a well established writers’ platform. I hope our new home will make it much easier for me to create, and for you to share and engage with our letters, as well as to find more kindred souls like you along the journey.

Finally: Substack offers an easy and smooth way for all who would like to support our ministry more regularly — drum roll — for as little as 6$ a month you can now become a sustaining member (paid subscriber), or even, for a bit more and if you feel like it, a founding member.

And as it belongs to a true member drive, here come some extras:

The first 5 founding members will receive our new book “Taking Moral Action” artistically signed by both of us. Plus a dinner invitation to our home (if you happen to be in MN :-). I am looking forward to personally cook for you while Chuck serves the wine and Hannah will stop by occasionally to entertain us.

Most importantly - unleash this writer (Yes, that’s me)

Following me over to the new platform as a free or paid subscriber before we officially launch it in the new year would also do something even more important: It would send this writer who cares very much about not overloading your inbox a clear signal: yes, you go girl, go write and let the world know your story, write more and educate deeper! I would like to read weekly from you, and I want to see you write your next book on Substack (guess what, it will have something to do with the weary pilgrim!) and peek into the previews. And I would also like to hang out with the people who read your stuff (I promise they are wonderful, smart, witty and caring folks!)

So dear friend, if that is you, here is your chance to hold me accountable and to watch me grow into this challenge.

My gift to you

I will take on the challenge of breaking through the barriers I have built around myself and become a weekly writer, offering not only upbuilding texts, but in-depth pieces, and finally also unleashing the philosopher-psychologist-therapist waiting to get her turn:

I plan to continuing writing weekly brief reflections as you already know them, inspired by the season, personal stirrings and life’s questions, half retreat, half reflection, and half wisdom ways, often followed by a consolation or a blessing at the end. Plus regular essays On Being Human for those who want to go deeper (e.g. learn more about my favorite authors). Most of all I hope to create a breathing space, and a place to find consolation in a pained world.

So if you would like to hear from me weekly, I am looking forward to welcoming you on this new venture.

Thank you, thank you.

When I came to this country 15 years ago I never would have dreamt of writing letters or giving retreats to accomplished folks like you. I wanted to be a teacher! (Do I see some one smiling in the audience?) A teacher on a pretty campus with a pretty office and a decent paycheck and some kindred students (you are smiling again!).

As we know, finding our calling is a circular not a linear motion. Sometimes it is right in front of us, but we do not see it (yet).

So let me offer my gratitude at the end:

Thank you, thank you for having been with us this year, for reading and commenting on my letters, for visiting our retreats and our home, and for offering us your gracious gifts to support this ongoing labor of love.

See you over there.

Peace to you in these waning days of Advent.

Almut, with Chuck and Little One.

PS: Chuck has chosen today’s blessing for the time of winter tide. May it sooth you in your “wintering!”

A blessing from Rumi

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you
Don’t go back to sleep

You must ask for what you really want
Don’t go back to sleep

People are going back and forth across the threshold
where the two worlds meet

The door is round and open
Don’t go back to sleep.