From the Dean
Its name means ‘dawning-place of the remembrances of God.’ It sits on a point along the coast and is thus able to be seen for miles and miles. Since I was a child jumping into the waters of Lake Michigan I was aware of its presence. The Baha’i Temple in Chicago is a prominent landmark informing the geography and spirit of its town.
It is not too overstated to say that All Souls has a similar spot in Asheville: a point by which thousands of cars pass each day, a village through which countless visitors walk each day. I would love to think that for folks who pass by we conjure the same notion: a dawning-place of the remembrances of God.
I have wondered out loud if a major role of faith communities today is the provision of quiet and order for the wider community in a time of ever growing noisiness and experienced disorder. Are we becoming the medieval monasteries of our time: places to which people come to find presence, connection and recognized rhythm amid a world they find more isolating and frenzied?
There is a larger conversation about outreach taking place in our community. It is a vital one. As many social institutions served by our government and private agencies are pulled back, where do the human beings affected find community and hope? As well, what role does a space of solace provide human beings in the finding of restoration and courage?
As we look at our buildings and the funds required to bring them to viable order (some time ask me and Brian about the missing tiles we saw on our ‘elevation’ trip in the sky bucket) I find myself thinking about how those funds could be used for many other things. I also know the cost of neglecting this work. It is a cost we are experiencing today.
I don’t think there is a simple answer to the above questions (unless we sell the buildings to a restaurant group like The Abbey in Atlanta). As I see us working to restore these buildings, these windows; as I see us seeking to make our pathways more accessible for all persons; as I see us considering geothermal heating and cooling for our offices, I do see work that is about the greater community, work that is about the future of the planet and those who inhabit that planet. I see a work of taking care of buildings which house anonymous groups and other non-profits almost every night of the week (often multiple groups on the same night), taking care of buildings and grounds used by the greater community to raise funds for outreach work in the community, taking care of buildings which many non-members visit for quiet and soul restoration, taking care of buildings which symbolize a community engaged beyond itself, taking care of buildings that inspire its members to go forth into the world with ‘courage and strength.’
Does this solve the question of outreach? No. Perhaps it is a question which should not be resolved lest we lose the edge of discernment. If the tension of money spent on buildings is to have any integrity, it will only have integrity as we remain committed to the use of these buildings by all people in as many ways as we can. Perhaps the worst thing would be to restore them and lock them down; restore them and limit their use. Not limiting their use means more wear and tear and it is a wear and tear I think Jesus could affirm.
The medieval monasteries did not see themselves as places for isolation from the world, but places which could inspire the human soul for living in the world. May this be at the heart of our work: creating space which drives all human beings to engage their world with courage and strength and with passion and hope.
Peace,
Todd