| St.
Gertrude’s Celebrates Christian Unity
On January 23, 2009 eight representatives from Christian churches in the area joined the Benedictine community at the Monastery of 
St. Gertrude to celebrate The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The sisters
invited pastors and other religious representatives to join them in their
chapel for a Prayer Service created by Christian churches in Korea with
the theme of “Reconcile Your People”. After the prayer, the sisters and
their guests moved to Spirit Center, the monastery’s 21,800 square foot,
state-of-the-art retreat and conference facility, for a presentation by
and discussion with guest speaker Gary Payton from Sandpoint, ID.
Payton is a mission coworker and elder of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As Regional Facilitator for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland, he serves as a “bridge” between partner churches in the region (Orthodox, Lutheran, Baptist and Reformed) and PCUSA mission coworkers. Payton has studied the Russian language since his junior high days, served for 24 years as an officer in the Marine Corps, and then made18 extended visits to these countries on behalf of peace. Payton fascinated his audience with stories brought to life by a spectacular slideshow. Christians around the world have been celebrating The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 101 years. Beginning on January 17, the week ends with the feast of the conversion of St. Paul on January 25. The event at St. Gertrude’s was part of the current monastery Centennial “Celebrating 100 Years ‘at Home’ in Idaho”. The sisters chose to host the group as a way to focus on Biblical Jubilee (Sabbath, forgiveness, justice, gratitude, peace, renewal) – the theme of their Centennial celebrations. April 26, 2009 marks 100 years since the community’s motherhouse officially transferred to Cottonwood, ID from Colton, WA. For more information about St. Gertrude’s Centennial events contact the monastery at 208-962-3224 or monastery@stgertrudes.org. Learn more at www.StGertrudes.org. |
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