1. Dare to Image! Widen the tent Dare to Image! Create Anew

2. What we have learned from the new cosmology of the way our universe functions – that is, the wholeness of everything, the move toward unity, the interrelatedness at the basis of all of creation – is informing our conversations as we move more toward the original reality of a Franciscan movement inclusive of everything and everyone.

6. In contemplation, we are drawn to a conversion of heart which invites us to “widen our tent” to consider all as sisters and brothers. We believe the Franciscan worldview which has relationship and connectedness at the core of our charism.

16. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, sisters and brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4, 4, 6-8 and 9b)

17. Gracious God, you breathe life into all creation, blessing the Earth with the fire of your love. Be with us today as we rejoice that we have been called to live in this time of grace and perfect joy. Give us patience, gentleness and courage as we seek to widen our tent to follow in the footprints of Francis and Clare. Amen.

20. “ Dare to Image!” “!egamI ot eraD”

22. “Dare To Image!” Gathering Approximately 58 sisters gathered from 27 congregations with Sr. Lynn Patrice Lavin, OSF as the facilitator.

23. THREE-FOLD OBJECTIVE To address the present situation at this point in the Federation’s history regarding:  personnel available for key positions  financial sustainability  questions about the effectiveness of “new” structure (5 years old)

24. PREPARATION  Contact congregations  Gather the wisdom  Investigate the possibility

26. “Dare to Image!” Statement This is a transformative moment in the life of the Franciscan Federation. Through the Spirit alive among us, we want to breathe new life into the Franciscan Federation through an evolving, organic process that begins with:

27.  an active Sabbath plan to revitalize, refocus, and redesign the Federation  increased inclusivity – beyond TOR, beyond AFC attendees, encompassing those with a Franciscan heart

28. AD HOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS Anne Amati, OSF Rose Elsbernd, FSPA Margaret Magee, OSF Lynn Lavin, OSF (Facilitator) Nancy Miller, OSF Peggy Quinn, OSF Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP Dianne Kaimann, OSF (Interim Executive Director)

31. Since the Sister Formation Conference in the 1950’s there have been varied names. The primary purpose has been for renewal and adaptation to the signs of the times. There have been a number of reconfigured structures. The number of congregation members has changed over the years. There have been different locales for the national office.

32. It evolved through the process of rewriting the Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. It expanded beyond the TOR Regulars to include Secular Franciscans and broadened to include a variety of laity and others. It has facilitated the development of: a Franciscan Prayer Book, a Common Franciscan Novitiate, and has addressed social justice issues.

33. ESSENCE OF OUR CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCE AS DARE TO IMAGE

34. While we began with different perspectives, through active listening and attentiveness, we have come to have common values and the realization of the importance of letting go of the “I” for the sake of the greater WHOLE.

35. We are being invited to live in the unknown. We have realized the task is not to reconfigure the federation but to enter into the vision of a more inclusive, expansive reality – the look of which we cannot imagine at this point.

36. There is a conscious awareness that God is trying to create anew. Our task is to listen and be open. We believe God is in our midst and that something is unfolding.

37. We have come to realize that to create anew is not possible in the present structure. It is about the struggle of letting go for the sake of something broader.

38. The vision is broader than TOR We are clearer about what is ours to do. What do we have to dispossess in order to bring something to birth?

39. We have recognized the critical importance of a contemplative process, a Sabbath moment in time for the greater good. This is a real clarity. Our own letting go happened because of the Sabbath process.

40. In a spirit of generativity, we want to gift the world with what we have been given – i.e. Franciscan charism and spirituality. “The gift you have been given, give as a gift.” (1 Peter 4:10)

41. We have always been evolving.

42. Ask me about the sabbath? Ask me about Sabbath

43. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it. Because on it God rested from all the work which God had done in creation.

44. “There is a disease rampant- a chronic, low-grade depression that never knows how to smack its lips and say “It’s good to be alive!” It does not know the haven of a Shabbos in the bosom of an unhassling family…

45. Sabbath – to come home to the good Mother – one’s being - homecoming with the body to the body: to eating, resting, singing, loving –resting in the bosom of Abraham…

46. The Sabbath is long and full when one knows how to be beyond doing.” Rabbi Zalman Schachter

47. Ceasing - take time out -stop working on problems -give thanks for what we already have instead of striving after what we do not have, -allow your selves to have some fun -be better equipped to listen for God

48. Resting - opportunity to trust God - allowing God YOUR true sanity - dreaming of what could be - restoring balance - an intentional halt

49. Embracing Sabbath living is not a private action.

50. Feasting -appreciating -reflecting -freeing -renewing -refreshing -connecting

51. Sabbath Living – Widen the tent