Why Start Now?

Starting a non-profit in the middle of a pandemic might seem odd and unexpected, logical and exciting, or a number of different things between those. So we thought we’d share some of the reasons behind our timing and what is guiding our thinking. 

1.) Unexpected generosity and needs Through unexpected generosity there have been some practical barriers removed as well as some present, pressing needs identified. If either of those has happened apart from the other, The Canterbury Collective (TCC) would have be formed, but at a slower pace. The combination means we’ve been able to start Morning Prayers and some of the teaching elements immediately. It has also allowed us to move up the mediation and spiritual directing timeline. 

2.) Social distancing remains part of the strategy to fight COVID-19 I’ll admit when our family unit chose to isolate and shelter in place back in mid-March cancelling our daughter’s 3rd birthday with our extended family, I had hoped life would return to “normal” by summer. I am now writing this towards the end of July. The conversations my husband and I are having now center around questions like, “What do we need to do if this is a two year season?” Pre-pandemic I was very resistant to online, well, stuff. I am a high touch person and prefer face to face over Facebook any day. But, again, there’s a global pandemic. So part of my personal adjustment means being open to new possibilities. 

3.) Our isolation/sheltering in place hasn’t erased people’s needs.

Rather, it has heightened some needs, and more folks are looking online as their only option to find help. Baking, gardening, going on walks—there has been some good from this time, and we should give thanks for that. However, the fear, anxiety, grief, and the big life questions this time exposes and creates can’t be ignored or suppressed without real damage to ourselves. TCC isn’t the answer to all of that, but we are working to be the piece of the puzzle God has gifted us to be. 

4.) Recognizing we are in a liminal space allows us to build while remaining adaptable. Susan Beaumont writes this: “Liminality refers to a quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs during transition, when a person or group of people is in between something that has ended and something else that is not yet ready to begin. Transition experiences follow a predictable pattern that involves separation, liminality, and reorientation.” I believe this definition is incredibly helpful for us to frame this season. It gives us language to describe our situation and acknowledges the disorientation we are feeling. We are making adjustments to life that will not last forever. This season will end! We can’t imagine all the changes that will take place in us, our communities, mindsets, values, or the world as a result of this. Therefore, we want to be nimble, creative and realistic enough to be effective during this season and ready to adapt and respond as necessary when it ends. The heart and purpose will remain while our flexible structure (now primarily online) allows the mission to continue as unhindered as possible despite current challenges.

5.) “Anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly.”

A friend from my old Sunday School class in Shawnee, KS used to quote his seminary professor who said this. He shared it more than once. I looked surprised more than once. I couldn’t wrap my mind around this. I was more of a, “anything worth doing is worth doing well” kind of person. But his version keeps coming back to me chipping away at the perfectionism that has kept me from doing things both big and little. The combination of the gentle freedom this phrase has brought along with the recognition that life isn’t predictable or guaranteed has gifted me some pluck I didn’t have previously. So TCC won’t be perfect, and neither will I. Thankfully that doesn’t mean automatic disqualification. Despite imperfections there will be beauty, service, friendship, connection, growth and forgiveness all around.

6.) Faithfulness to my call.

Undergirding all of this is the call of God and the Church to serve as a priest. To faithfully fulfill my vocation I must be open to serving however God leads. I sense God’s gracious invitation to me to serve in this way and in this time, and so I want to continue to be obedient and faithful and say “yes!”

I heard not too long ago that you can sustain things online, but starting something needs to be in-person. That resonates with me, and it makes me thankful we have a group who have been worshipping together for years and praying Morning Prayers together through this time. The foundation of The Canterbury Collective then is prayer among friends who are seeking God’s glory in this world. Thanks be to God! I pray that until we can gather once more in safety this can be a gathering place for friends and fellow pilgrims. I believe there are other folks out there who we need as part of our community in order to be the people we are called to be and who need us to help them be the person they are called to be. So I pray through our existing relationships, the connections we make in this small world, and possibly this crazy thing we use called “the internet” we will find each other for the good of the kingdom of God.