Newsletter Autumn 2024
Dear people associated with Nijkleaster,
Herewith the newsletter Autumn 2024 of the Monastic Church of Nijkleaster-Westerwert, containing:
- The rhythm of the celebrations in both our Klooster Westerhûs in Hilaard and the Redbadkerk of Jorwert and the church services in December
- News: Nijkleaster wins sustainability award; Attention to the World; new book Reinier Nummerdor
- Looking back on: concert by Cigne; study trip by Hinne Wagenaar to the oldest monastery in the world; TV recording Zin in Morgen; lecture by Abbot Johannes van den Akker of the Clay Monastery
- An introduction to Reinier and Margaretha Tuitman
- The 2025 program
- In conclusion: blessing wish
Celebrations
Every day at Klooster Westerhûs
The three celebrations in the chapel of Klooster Westerhûs in Hilaard are free, daily at 9:30, 5:10 and 9:45 p.m. Exceptions: on Sunday and Wednesday the celebration is at 09.30 in the church of Jorwert, and on Sunday there is no celebration at 17.10.
Wednesday morning in Jorwert
Every Wednesday morning there is a Nijkleasterkuier in and from the church in Jorwert. Welcome to join us from 09:30 to 12:30 with a short celebration, coffee, a walk and shared lunch (bring your own bread). Only attending the celebration is also possible.
Every Sunday in Jorwert
Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. there is a service or celebration in the church in Jorwert (except the regional service on the 5th Sunday of the month, which varies).
Church services in December (with sometimes different times and places):
- Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m., Jorwert - Saskia Leene (morning celebration, Circle of Attention)
- Dec. 15, 9:30 a.m., Jorwert - Jurjen Hilverda
- Dec. 22, 5 p.m., Jorwert - No Silent Night! LYTS&grut Christmas party for children
- Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Bears - Hinne Wagenaar (Christmas Eve)
- Dec. 25, 10 a.m., Bears - Hinne Wagenaar (Christmas morning)
- Dec. 29, 9:30 a.m., Jorwert - Saskia Leene (regional service)
- Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m., Jorwert - Hinne Wagenaar (Epiphany)
News
Golden Phoenix for Nijkleaster
During the NRP conference in Nijmegen on November 7, Nijkleaster was named the winner of the NRP Gulden Feniks, the national award for clients for renovation and transformation of the built environment.From the jury report: 'Perhaps the greatest spatial and social challenges of today can be found in the countryside. The transformation of a head-neck farmhouse into a contemporary monastery ensures that this part of the Frisian countryside is given a sustainable future ... A new way of living together and experiencing faith has been built here. The jury therefore refers to Nijkleaster Westerhûs as a 'gesamtkunstwerk van de 21ste eeuw': a place where people live together in cohesion with the landscape. When the jury settles down in the outdoor chapel at the end of the project visit, the conversation falls silent. There is nothing more to ask; all the assessment requirements have been gloriously ticked off. But that is not it; there is more. The inspiration of the place is palpable to all. Quality has been realized here that only arises through enormous enthusiasm. That automatically makes you silent.
Attention to the world
The Attention to the World Committee of the monastic congregation is committed to the world in small and large ways, near and far. For example, we occasionally bring a ceramic amaryllis bulb to the sick or those celebrating something, we provide "bread and wine," and we bring an Amaryllis bulb to the elderly every year around Christmas.
We are glad that together as a congregation we can do something for the refugees staying at the WTC Leeuwarden. With the collection money we provide toys, coloring sheets and attention for the children and young people.
'Green Church' is also part of this committee. For 2025 you may already put the following dates in your agenda: on Saturday afternoon, February 15, Lieke Weima comes to the church in Jorwert with her story about church and climate movement. On Saturday, May 10, there will be a Frisian Green Church Day in Kollumerzwaag.
Lies, Aukje, Saskia, Tytsje and Sietske
New book of sermons Reinier Nummerdor
On November 30, Huiswaarts was presented, the second book of sermons by Reinier Nummerdor, monk and resident of monastery Westerhûs. As with his first book An Open Way, all proceeds from this publication will benefit the Help Me Live Foundation, which facilitates Robert Smits' work among underprivileged children in Brazil.
The book contains twenty-six reflections. It begins with Abram going on his way. This is followed by fourteen reflections on portions of the gospel. And eleven on stories from the book of Acts. All stories about going on the road with the final destination of coming home to yourself.
The book, published by publisher Louise from Grou, is a beautiful, well-kept hardcover edition and worth reading for yourself or giving as a gift (for Sinterklaas or Christmas). Moreover, buyers support the work of Robert Smits with it.
The book (at €20 excluding shipping) can be ordered by sending an email, with your details and number of copies, to Matty Kloosterman, president of the Help Me Live Foundation, matty@helpmijleven.org
Clay Convent welcoming in the Bijlmer
Giving hands and feet to faith is what drove Johannes van den Akker, abbot and co-founder of the Kleiklooster in the Amsterdam Bijlmer, to develop his desire for "hospitality in practice" into a monastic community with shelter for people in need. He told one about it during the lecture on Saturday, November 16, in the church of Jorwert, at the invitation of Nijkleaster.
The Kleiklooster is located in the renovated Kleiburg flat with about 500 homes and 1,200 residents. It consists of a chapel, communal living room and kitchen, with five private residences above for the monastics (seven adults and seven children) and three guest rooms for up to three mothers with children. "Those are always full, the need is high.
The monastics meet at evening prayers in the chapel and at the communal meal on Wednesdays where people from outside are also welcome. They also organize activities for the neighborhood. 'This way we can keep things going well; we all have jobs and on Sundays we go to our own churches.'
His ideals have been realized, which makes him a happy man, he says, even if community life is sometimes pretty complicated. "We are all mirrors to each other. The monastery is his home. "I feel senang. That every night we go to the chapel, light the candle and stay connected to God and the world around us. That we can help people in need. And that it is not a temporary project: it remains even when you are no longer there, it doesn't stop then.
For a more detailed report see Lecture Abbot Clay Monastery - Nijkleaster
Study 10-day Hinne Wagenaar
Rev. Hinne Wagenaar was absent from Oct. 11-22 due to a study trip to St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai Desert in Egypt. You can read about his experiences on the Nijkleaster website and on his own website: Monastery Sinai Blog (2024).
Looking Back
New business leader
In the process of building monastery Westerhûs, Hessel Veldhuis was the quartermaster towards the new monastery from 2020. When the quartermaking was completed, Hessel indicated that he was not available for the position of business leader. By the way, Hessel will remain involved in Nijkleaster as a volunteer. We owe him a lot of thanks in a period that can be called turbulent. Hessel tige tank! After the summer of 2024, the monastery council appointed a new business leader: Peter van den Broek from Grou. From the message that was on the website:
Last Wednesday, September 4, Peter van den Broek started his work as Business Leader for Nijkleaster. He will focus on the further development and professionalization of the organization and will be particularly concerned with operations, volunteer policy, fundraising and marketing & communications. Peter van den Broek has been active as an independent marketing communications consultant for over 25 years.
Kleasterlingen weekend at Klooster Westerhûs
The kleasterlingen meet twice a year for a weekend at monastery Westerhûs. In the spring during Pentecost weekend and in the fall in November. This year we came together from November 15-17 with our 20 kleasterlingen. Also invited were the 8 clerics-in-waiting (following the novitiate). With this large group, we had a beautiful and rich program in which, of course, we followed the regular monastic rhythm. In addition to the celebrations, the food, the morning program (physical awakening and meditation), there were a number of important program elements: a renewed meeting on Friday evening, the joint consultation, the meeting with Johannes van den Akker (see elsewhere in this newsletter) and joint singing led by Martijn van Dongen. And of course we joined in the morning celebration on Sunday morning in the church in Jorwert. We are happy with our choice to be internal or external monastics. And at the same time we are looking individually and together for a good fulfillment of our monasticism. The photo shows the clergymen during the Pentecost weekend of 2024. Annet Draaisma is missing from this photo.
Anita Witzier a guest at monastery Westerhûs
'It's nice to end a day like that together. At home I would never do that on my own.' This is how Anita Witzier expresses in the kro-ncrv program Zin in morgen how she experiences the evening celebration at monastery Westerhûs during the 24 hours she is a guest there. In a broadcast with the theme "The power of together," Witzier speaks to several monastics. And she experiences what it's like to meditate ('I almost hyperventilated') and to live in a rhythm in which a lot of time is set aside for each other and for God ('When are we going to work? It's a quarter past ten already!' Hinne: 'But we were already at work.')
Despite her uneasiness with the encountered way of life, the balance is ultimately positive and the farewell cordial. And the Nijkleaster phrase in the evening celebration "Give us peace with what is unfinished and joy with what is finished" is going on a tile in the Witzier home!
The broadcast can be viewed here.
Surprising concert Cygne
On Sunday, October 13, in the Radboudkerk in Jorwert, in cooperation with Nijkleaster, there was an afternoon of music and imagination with the funeral choir Cygne led by conductor Gerben van der Veen. The choir sang beautifully and varied: classical oriented, world music, compositions by the conductor and Frisian songs. From "Donna nobis pacem" to "O radiant dawn. At Huub Oosterhuis' song "What I Have Wanted," everyone held their breath and wept with emotion. The songs were interspersed with poems, recited by Saskia Leene of Nijkleaster, who also introduced the program.
This presentation concert allowed the audience to become acquainted with the choir, which provides musical accompaniment at a funeral or memorial service. For such a service, the choir selects eight available singers (double quartet) or, if desired, a larger cast. The Cygne Choir consists of experienced amateur singers; all singers are volunteers. Only an expense allowance is requested for a performance. What a wealth that this choir exists and that it is possible in this way to literally add lustre to a funeral or memorial service. Read more
Youth weekends 'Taking a breath'
A quote from a participant in the youth weekend at monastery Westerhûs. Young people indicate that the weekend meets a need; they experience recognition and acknowledgment in meeting peers and talking together about faith and spirituality. Having time for conversation without a phone nearby, staring ahead on a bench for an hour or timelessly petting the monastery cat is a relief for them.
The young people participate in the monastic rhythm, in addition to which they are offered a program with the leitmotif 'Catching your breath'. There is room and attention for extensive introduction, for conscious experience of silence and for reflective writing. This writing from the heart and then listening to each other without judgment is a part that touches them and impresses them: 'I have learned that just listening is enough. I don't always have to think something about everything. That gives peace and space. I take this into my daily life, I am really inspired.'
Stilteretraites Monastery Westerhûs
Silence is the gateway to the soul. Therefore, at Nijkleaster we make space for silence in many ways. In the celebrations in church and monastery, during walks, in the meditation attic in the monastery and during breakfast. In the first week of Advent there is a silence retreat at monastery Westerhûs for the third time. After participants get acquainted with the monastery, the kleastery disciples and each other, silence is initiated on Monday evening that lasts until Friday morning.
Spending a few days in silence is a personal adventure for everyone. Wonderful to not have to do anything at all for a while and to dwell on the essentials. But also spicy when you encounter your own restlessness and questions. The monastic rhythm and the beautiful surroundings form a familiar bed and every day there is opportunity for a short conversation with your companion.
A silent retreat is surprisingly beneficial. This is evident when participants look back on what it brought them: 'Commitment and that gives inner joy, peace and confidence.'
'Down to earth, nothing floaty. Just what I needed.'
'Extraordinary how a place like this is a home/rest for many people. I myself loved going into the silence.'
Are you curious about the silence retreats at monastery Westerhûs? Look here for more information. A few spots are still available for the retreat during the first week of Lent (March 10-14, 2025).
Getting to know
Reinier and Margaretha Tuitman
At the beginning of 2024, the number of residents of monastery Westerhûs expanded (from four to six) with the arrival of Reinier and Margaretha Tuitman. With this, the third, and (for now) last available house on the monastery grounds is also occupied. A closer look.
How do you look back on your first monastic year?
Both in chorus: 'Great'
Margaretha: "It is even more of an enrichment than I thought it would be. I enjoy living here. I'm also more conscious of my faith, through the celebrations, the lectures and in practice through interacting with each other and the guests. And every time I drive up here and walk across the yard, there is a feeling of ... coming home, something like that, which is hard to describe.
Reinier: "Yes, that is actually impossible to name. Apart from the beautiful living and being here, living together, meeting the guests, there is more. I am also more balanced here. Unfinished business is less on my mind, I experience more inner peace.'
Margaretha: "The same applies to me. Both here and in my work I can prioritize better, I am less agitated. That's because of the fixed daily rhythm. That does something to you.'
Reinier: "Of course we also have to find the balance with our family. Last year we still lived with four of us. Fortunately, both daughters and their families come fluttering in regularly, but still, that's quite a change. As is communal living. Unconsciously, we take more account of each other and we have to consult each other before we plan something, we are less free to go somewhere spontaneously. But, that doesn't outweigh all the beauty and value we have found here.
Margaret: "It's our best move ever.
What do you expect from the future?
Reinier: 'Oh, that's a question from before. This is where we live now, a day at a time.'
Margaret: "I hope that the group of monastic residents will increase and that the second phase of construction will succeed. With more permanent residents, the base becomes stronger, less vulnerable, and you can divide the tasks more. That would be nice.
Program 2025
The (almost) complete Nijkleaster Program 2025 is now on our website. With a variety of offerings: Youth Weekends, Stilteretraites, Experience Days, Green Monastery Weekend, Lectures, Meadows, Believing in Friesland, Zen Meditation, Open Day and much more. More information and reservations.
In conclusion: blessing wish
The wish with which day chairman Sietske Visser concluded the afternoon with Abbot Johannes van den Akker of the Clay Monastery (free to Aukje Wijma). Our wish for you for the road:
strength and wisdom
and warmth, especially warmth
driving out the cold and rain
and expansive views
and beautiful insights
closeness and friendship
and silence, pure silence
In which a Voice can be heard saying
I will be there
also for you.
Mei in hertlike groetnis út namme fan de Nijkleaster-mienskip,
With warm greetings on behalf of the Nijkleaster community,
Hinne Wagenaar
Support Nijkleaster
To realize the mission of the Kloostergemeenschap and Klooster Westerhûs, money is still needed. For this we are largely dependent on the financial support of individuals, governments, companies and institutions. More information for a gift, donation, et cetera