Sacred Exchange
At the heart of our life is the belief that our daily labor is not a chore, but an act of Radical Hospitality. It is a way to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters and steward the sacred land entrusted to us.
For those joining us for a week or more, we invite you into this rhythmic cycle of service. By offering four hours of service each day, you become a vital part of the monastery’s melody—helping us garden, build, and maintain this sanctuary for all who seek peace.
The Sacred Exchange: Intentions & Offerings
A balanced life is built on mutual care. As you offer your hands to the land, the community offers its heart to you.
Honoring the Rhythm
-
Committing to 4 hours of focused labor (Mon–Thu) to sustain our shared sanctuary.
-
Treating all tools, machinery, and shared spaces with the care of a sacred object.
-
Honoring the monastic silence and prayer schedule as the foundation of our work.
-
Practicing punctuality to keep the community’s daily melody in harmony.
The Community’s Care for You
-
A peaceful room or cabin designed for silence, rest, and deep contemplation.
-
Shared communal dinners and wholesome, handmade treats from our kitchen.
-
Full access to clean water, warmth, and high-speed WiFi for your needs.
-
Unlimited access to 250 acres of trails, forests, and meditation spaces.
🌲 Land & Structure
Life & Flock: Tending chickens 3x daily and maintaining the barn and hay.
Stewardship: Organizing the outdoor tool shed and maintaining community machinery.
Infrastructure: Building cabins, decks, and fences, or crafting seating from timber
Beautification: Clearing trails, planting seasonal trees, and tending the garden..
🍞 Kitchen & Provision
The Sacred Table: Preparing and cooking shared meals for residents and retreatants.
Retreat Nourishment: Specialized meal support and kitchen care for those in deep silence.
Kitchen Rhythms: Diligent dishwashing, drying, and putting away dishes to keep the kitchen flowing.
Pantry Stewardship: Organizing food storage, rotating supplies, and deep cleaning the pantry.
Provision: Receiving and storing grocery deliveries and caring for our shared culinary tools.
🏠 Hospitality & Home
Sanctuary Care: Mopping common areas, sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting Sophia House.
Retreat Hospitality: Performing room turnovers, laundry service, and deep room cleaning.
The Outer Reach: Tending to decks and patios, walking the community puppy, and admin/tech.
Humble Service: Managing trash and recycling and maintaining the "Radical Welcome."
The Service Journey (The Practicalities)
The Work Week: Our primary service hours are Monday through Thursday. Starting Friday, the weekend is yours for rest and reflection, unless you feel called to assist with a special community project.
Skill Matching & Humble Service: While we love to utilize your specific talents—be it plumbing, electrical, woodworking, or tech—we all share in the "foundational" tasks like sweeping or dishes when the house requires it. In this house, no task is too small.
Safety & Machinery: Use of outdoor power tools and saws is welcomed for those with experience. We provide a safety orientation and tool-check to ensure the well-being of every resident and guest.
Mutual Discernment: The first seven days are a time of discernment. At the end of this week, we will meet to ensure that the rhythm of the house and the service provided are a good fit for both you and the community.
Extended Stays & Planning: We ask that all guests have their next accommodation or travel plans secured before arrival. Any commitment beyond the initial week is based on a mutual agreement between you, Br. Stefan, and the community residents.
