The Community at the Crossing—an ecumenical group of young people living for a year on the Cathedral close—regularly hosts distinguished guest scholars and teachers. The Bridge Seminars offer an opportunity to learn from some of these eminent thinkers in an intimate, roundtable setting, side-by-side with members of the Community at the Crossing.

Discover the rich legacy of traditional monasticism in its various forms and traditions. The Rev. Christine Lee will begin with an experiential framing of Ignatian Spirituality. Other sessions will sample some influential eastern and western spiritual figures of the early church such as the monks of Gaza, especially John, Barsanuphius and Dorotheus, and some female figures who left their mark on a variety of monasteries and the lay community movement of the Beguines. A chronological overview will be a starting point for further inquiry of traditional monasteries and community life, how they were related to society, and how these witnesses teach present-day new forms of monasticism and community life experience.

Sr. Marie-Farouza Maximos is a consecrated sister of the Chemin Neuf Community. She holds a master’s in fine arts, in Near Eastern Languages and in Theology. Among her ministries and interests, she is engaged in research in the liturgies of the Eastern Churches but also in works of writing, drawing and photography.

The Rev. Christine Lee has been a priest in the Episcopal Church since 2012 and priest-in-charge of St. Peter's since October 2019. She is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and received her Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Trinity International University in Chicago. She is a Doctor of Ministry student at Fuller Theological Seminary, focusing on leading congregational and organizational change.

Sr. Lysanne Guilbault is a consecrated sister of the Chemin Neuf Community and is part of the leadership team of the Community at the Crossing located at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, with academic training in theology and Judaic studies/Jewish-Christian relation from Lyon, Jerusalem, and Rome.

The class schedule is
September 30, 10am - 12pm and 2:30pm - 4:30pm
October 7, 9:30am – 12pm and 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Attendance is required at both days of this seminar.