The Nijkleaster Foundation wants to form a new monastery (nij kleaster) in the village of Jorwert. The objective is to create a place where people can quietly retreat to reflect and catch their breath. At the same time, it is to be a place where people meet in liturgy and conversation, silence and walking, fun and recreation. Thus, 'Nijkleaster' seeks new ways for the gospel and contributes to personal, church and social renewal.
As an open monastery, Nijkleaster wants to offer hospitality to men and women of various churches and traditions. Also to people who cannot find a place (anymore) within the existing churches, and furthermore to every pilgrim of any kind.
Nijkleaster arose from a dream of Sietske Visser and Hinne Wagenaar. In 2009 the foundation Nijkleaster officially came into being. Contacts with the Protestant congregation of Westerwert (in the villages of Bears, Jellum, Jorwert and Weidum) were established in 2010. In 2011, the Missionary Work Department (of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands) also showed interest in cooperating and coming to a pioneer place Nijkleaster. From July 1, 2012, the three parties work together to give shape to a new monastery of silence and tranquility in the Frisian countryside. Since 2019, the Stifting Nijkleaster and the prot. congregation of Westerwert have been working together intensively.
For more on Nijkleaster's vision and mission, see:
Fisy and missy
Stifting Nijkleaster wol in nij kleaster foarmje yn it doarp Jorwert. It's goal is to create a place where minsken har yn all rêst werom lûke kinne to relax and to find peace. Tagelyk is it in plak dêr't minsken elkoar moetsje yn liturgy and petear, silence and pilgrimaazje, wille and rekreaasje. Sa wurdt der yn Nijkleaster socht nei nije wegen foar it evangeelje en wurdt der in oandiel levere oanlike, tsjerklike en maatskiplike fernijing.
Nijkleaster wol as iepen kleaster gastfrijens biede oan lju fan ferskate tsjerken en tradysjes. Ek oan minsken dy't gjin plak (mear) fine yn de besteande tsjerken, en fierders oan eltse pilgrim fan hokker snit dan ek.