Introduction to the community
The community strives to promote interest, study and understanding of the vocation to the Religious life, and to sustain a Religious community on South Whidbey Island, WA. This monastic community is guided by the venerable Rule of St Benedict.
The Ecumenical Fellowship of Saint John was founded in Los Angeles in the spring of 1972 by five men – clergy and lay – from the Episcopal, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Communions of the Church. On Saint John’s Day 1973, four of the founding group (two Lutherans and two Roman Catholics) made Promises of Commitment at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. After some years in Fallbrook, San Diego County, the Community moved to Whidbey Island in 1990. In 2000, we were blessed with the gift of 10 secluded and wooded acres, with an additional 10 added in 2013, donated by Judith P Yeakel of Langley. Here the monastic house was built, and blessed on Holy Cross Day 2003. The ‘Called to Common Mission’ declaration of ECUSA and ELCA made it easy for Lutherans and Episcopalians to become one.
We were officially recognised as a canonical Religious community at the Diocesan Convention 2010.
Contact details
Address: PO Box 782, Freeland, WA 98249, USA
Community information
Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Brian Thom, Diocese of Idaho
Third Order, Fellowship, Associates
We currently have three Associates.
Leadership
Superior: Brother Richard Tussey EFSJ
Assumed office December 1973
Prior: Brother David McClellan EFSJ
Membership
Sister Julian of Norwich DiBase Obl/OSB
Brother Aidan Shirbroun Obl/OSB
Brother Thomas Langler Obl/OSB
Sister Frideswide Dorman Obl/OSB
Sister Hildegard Babson Obl/OSB
Sister Agnes Steele Obl/OSB
Brother Columba Johnson Obl/OSB