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The
Ardath S. Francke Hermitage is a welcome addition to The West
Virginia Institute for Spirituality located at 1601 Virginia Street,
near the banks of the Kanawha River and in the shadow of the State
Capitol. It is a visually pleasing compact building which artfully
echoes the line and color of the main house.
It was
designed by architect Tom Potts and built under the creative
supervision of Carl Agsten, Jr. The Agsten Construction workers
completed the hermitage on schedule, donating hours of skilled
labor.
The
result is a delightfully simple sound-proof building with a foyer, a
gathering space that can be used for small groups: a bedroom, bath
and kitchen where a person on retreat can be comfortably secluded
for prayer and study.
We refer
to this hermitage as a little miracle, wrought in part by Carl
Agsten and Leslie Clay. Leslie, along with her father and sisters,
contributed generously to financing the project. Other donors
include friends and family. Carl not only supervised the
construction but contributed his time and talent.
On
Saturday, November 25, 2006 – a day marked by a clear blue sky,
bright sunshine and pleasantly warm weather – the families and
donors and representatives of the work force gathered. With prayers
and thanksgiving the ribbon was cut and people moved freely and
joyfully thru the sunlit pristine rooms amid fragrant flowers. The
Ardath S. Francke Hermitage was open.
I am
deeply humbled by the name, but I know it is not about myself.
Indeed,
many have stood in a long tradition of prayerful discernment.
Indeed, none of us stand alone, but we stand in the calling and in
the power of God who seeks to build us all together: not for our own
benefit alone, but for our families, our friends and for the
community in which we live.
I pray
that the hermitage, the West Virginia Institute for Spirituality and
the people who gather here may continue to bear fruit in the Spirit
of the Lord. Indeed, many have already been blessed. Many more
continue to be blessed regardless of differences in the One Lord who
has called us, and is in all, through all, and above all.
Come to
the hermitage. Come to the quiet. To reserve a space call (304)
345-0926.
Ardath S. Francke
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