OUR BEGINNINGS<\/h2>\n
In the 1950\u2019s some women, together with Genevi\u00e8ve Micheli, Prioress of the Grandchamp Community in Switzerland, looked into the possibility of a vocation to contemplative prayer right at the heart of the everyday world. The booklet \u201cServants of Unity\u201d prepared by Brother roger of Taiz\u00e9, with men in mind, was the main inspiration for the women from the start. Out of it has developed the \u2018Texte de base\u2019 or \u2018the Foundation Text\u2019 for the Servants of Unity today.<\/p>\n
The ecumenical dimension was established from the very beginning and down the years women from different confessions and nationalities have been drawn to membership, always remaining in their own country and context.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Texte” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/big> The apple trees of Grandchamp<\/big> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Texte” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n – Responsibility is shared in obedience to God, and one person is chosen to be the focus of unity in the SU group. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″]<\/p>\n In the beginning: the love of God You are not alone on this path that the Desert Fathers and Mothers have followed before you, together with many \u2018solitaries\u2019, monks and nuns, saints of all times and, today, the sisters of Grandchamp and the Servants of Unity with whom you journey.<\/p>\n With them you commit your life to the service of Unity and the reconci- liation of all the scattered children of God. Unity and reconciliation of Creation and all its creatures, unity and reconciliation of the universal Church. Yes!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Pray and work that God may reign <\/em> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″]<\/p>\n Pray and work that God may reign<\/em> : that is what you undertake. Throughout your day, let the Word of God breathe life into work and rest.<\/em><\/p>\n The Word of God: that is the well at which to drink, to be refreshed, to find joy, to regain your strength: take care to do this. Sit with the Word, listen to its murmur, even its clamour when it becomes a torrent. Mingle your voice with its voice. Keep inner silence in all things so as to dwell in Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n Just say \u00ab stop \u00bb ! Stop and then begin your rhythm again, your brea- thing; the \u2018prayer of hours\u2019 (the daily \u2018office\u2019) is there for that reason; put yourself into God\u2019s hands in the morning, at midday and in the evening; at those important moments of creation, at dawn, at midday and when the night begins: at the great hours when all monks and nuns of all time have prayed. In Christ you are never and can never be alone; you are bound to other disciples of Jesus. That is called the Church. The people of God. The body of Christ that finds its life through the Holy Spirit and through the Eucha- rist that the Church celebrates. Communion. Still on earth, not yet in hea- ven ! The Church, including the local church, is not the Kingdom of God in its fullness ; its mission is to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom! be filled with the spirit of the beatitudes, joy, simplicity, mercy.![\"SU-fleur](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.grandchamp.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/SU-fleur-de-pommier.jpg\")
<\/a><\/big><\/p>\n
\nA parable of the beginning of the Servants of Unity<\/a>
\nby Marthe Westphal<\/p>\nORGANISATION<\/h2>\n
\n– We have an annual retreat all together and other smaller regional meetings and personal contacts as possible throughout the year. The regular circular letters keep us in touch and are a link that help to build up our communion and fellowship.
\n– The close relations we have with the Grandchamp Community and meetings with the Protestant and Catholic chaplains all help to keep us well-rooted in the Church.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″ custom_padding=”3px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″ custom_margin=”||6px|||”]<\/p>\nCOMPASS AND RULE<\/h2>\n
\nand that quiet call, discreet,
\nlike an invitation awaiting your reply,
\nan invitation to come and quench your thirst at the well of life.
\nYou heard it, you listened and recognised this call; and you discerned an invitation to be part of Christ\u2019s prayer :
\nthat they may all be one so that the world will believe that you have sent me.
\nYou who feel and know you have been called to give your life for God, you are already on the way, going forward : just go !
\nin response to that \u2018go\u2019 that echoes throughout the Bible.
\nDo you know that Jesus Christ goes before you on this path ? That he is at your side and that the tenderness and mercy of God surround you by the power of the Holy Spirit ?
\nAnd that if your trust and faithfulness falter He will lift you up.
\nDon\u2019t ever forget that, whatever detours and shortcuts you may want to take.<\/p>\n
\nThroughout your day,<\/em>
\nLet the Word of God breathe life into work and rest. <\/em>
\nKeep inner silence in all things<\/em>
\nso as to dwell in Christ.<\/em>
\nBe filled with the spirit of the beatitudes,<\/em>
\njoy, simplicity, mercy.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nIn the world, where you are, where you live, in your profession, in your work, your commitments, your solitude, in your church life, listening to those close to you and to your neighbours, that is where you are a servant of unity.
\nWhere reconciliation is at work, there where God\u2019s peace is found, that is where you offer your service of praise and thanksgiving.
\nIn the midst of arguments and quarrels, division and even war, that is where you fulfil your service of prayer: resisting all death-dealing divi- sion, without judging.
\nA hidden grain of yeast, a seed of wheat (or a grain of salt or of sand) as Jesus was himself. Pray and work for his reign to come so that the world might believe that God sent his Son.<\/p>\n
\nThe Word is the bread of silence.
\n\u00ab But what about all this noise in me and around me, all this chaos, all these storms and voices… ?\u00bb You might say.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nAnd stop at other times too, there, now, on the bus, at your desk and your computer, among your pots and pans, \u201c Dios anda tambien entre pucheros : God comes into the kitchen too \u201d, said Saint Teresa of Avila.
\nEvery hour is a time of thanksgiving, and of asking the Lord for his Spirit so that we can dwell in Christ; Christ the crucified and risen Lord, who came into the world and lived here to bring together into One Body the scattered children of God. He taught and consoled people, healed them, gave them food, lifted them to their feet, he opened eyes and ears, and healed mute tongues; but no-one understood him, no-one wanted him.
\nAnd it is on this path that he both goes before you and accompanies you ; no you are not alone. You can find the path. Just go !<\/p>\n
\nThat is also the place of your service, through your baptism.
\nNothing spectacular: the availability of your single life and your solitude can blossom humbly, unobtrusively. Not in secret, but hidden in Christ and revealed openly when the need arises.
\nSimply be the yeast in the dough, allow yourself to be kneaded by joy, simplicity and mercy. What you will become will be made visible ! and you will find yourself reconciled with your God, your neighbour and yourself.
\nYes,<\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n