Ray has been with The Order of St. Aidan (aka The Community of Aidan and Hilda) since 2003, and is a vowed Long Voyager member. Over the years he has served on the Caim and as Texas Regional Guardian. Ray brings with him a plethora of experience with multiple denominations, pastoring several churches over the years. He has been on the faculty in several theological institutions and taught in several venues. Among others, he was on the faculty of Berea Bible and Missionary College, The University of Dallas’ Anglican School of Theology, and the School of Spirituality for the Diocese of Dallas and Fort Worth. Ray has also taught or led seminars and conferences, e.g. “Orthodox Spirituality” at St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in Russia, and “Neo-Monasticism” at Moses Merrill. He has been an active spiritual director since 1990.

Ray on his vision for the National Guardianship: Ray views the National Guardianship as a position of responsibility, not of authority. He intends to create a “bottom up” leadership style, where a Council of Regional Guardians would be formed with the National Guardian, the first among equals. When asked about the relationship between Regional Guardians and the Caim, Ray sees the Regional Guardians’ accountability would be through the National Guardian to the Caim and Trustees.

Ray assumed his position as National Guardian on Saturday, August 25th, 2018, during a retreat of the Texas Regional Group.

October 19, 2017

Brothers and Sisters,

The Caim has unanimously set Paul Martin and Barb Williams as interim co-
National Guardians of our Community. This is in effect until October, 2018.
We have been without a National Guardian since both Tim Bonney and Dave
Lundholm resigned on March 20 th of this year. Using the UK model we
attempted an election by Voyagers. The election results did not meet the
standards of acceptance by 2/3 the Voyagers, so it failed.

The National Guardian position is important to the Community to give
inspiration and direction, and to oversee spiritual and business necessities.
The National Guardian(s) are advised, overseen and supported by the Caim.
The National Guardians are charged with prayer for all members and have a
pastoral role for the leadership.

Historically our US Community has made National Guardian transitions by
appointment. The first was from Fr. Jack Stapleton to Paul Martin in 2009.
After months of prayer, the Caim selected Tim Bonney and Dave Lundholm as
co-National Guardians to follow Paul. They were prayed-in at the Sewanee
National Retreat in 2016. After the lack of response using the UK model, the
Caim has decided to commit the next transition process to prayer for
discernment, and appoint the interim Guardians.

More information will follow, as changes are in process. We ask for your
prayers and invite your input.

In Christ’s Love,
Paul Martin & Barb Williams

9th February 2016

This time of year we often face that inconvenient confusion about fasting. By and large we are relieved of it all by a culture that says that it is far better to be positive, take something up, rather than deny ourselves what is good or lovely or essential and, quite frankly, be a bit of a misery.

I wonder if this helps? Imagine you are in need of car and I just happen to have a spare one so offer it to you. You could receive it with joy and use it happily, carefully and gratefully making it known that you are have received this gift from a good and generous person. There is nothing wrong with that at all, in fact it is all as it should be. But now add this into the scenario: you offer the car back to me in generosity, saying that you would love me to be able to use it too; you don’t wish to hang on to it as your own; you recognise that you are entirely entitled to use it as your own for that is how I have given it to but you would love to share it. The car then becomes a means of deepening our relationship.

In life we recognise that all that is, all things, are there by the love and grace of God and we may receive them. We can receive the things we need with joy; we can receive the things that simply give us pleasure with joy. We can use things with care and love, we can cherish all creation. But how about if we relinquish our hold on them and return them in love to God whether they are essential or for pleasure. Of course God does not need them in the way we do, but the act of returning them in this way then makes the thing itself a means of a deepening relationship between us in the same way as that useful car was between us. Then the fast becomes something generous, beautiful and creative. I can begin to understand the joy of the desert fathers and mothers and the Celtic saints when I look at simplicity (the way of living with open hands) and fasting in this light.

May this Lent be a time of great joy and healing.

Penny Warren – UK Guardian, Community of Aidan and Hilda

(Reprinted with permission)

We give you thanks that you led our forbears in the Faith through a cloud by day and a fire by night; we give you thanks, kindly Light, that the torch of faith was brought to this land, and that you ever lead your people on. Light up our dark hearts by the light of your Christ; may his Word illumine our way, for you pour forth loving kindness upon your whole creation, Father, Son and radiant Spirit.

• May the Light of lights come to my dark heart;
• May the Spirit’s wisdom come to me from my Saviour.
• May the peace of the Spirit be mine this night,
• The peace of the Son be mine this night,
• The peace of the Father be mine this night,
• The peace of all peace be mine this night,
• Each morning and evening of my life.

(From this evening’s prayer aidanandhilda.uk.org)

-Timothy Bonney, Prayer Chaplain