I have been reflecting on the desert fathers and mothers and their spiritual offspring the last few weeks and one monastic style in particular has piqued my interest: that of the Sketes. They seem to embody a half way house between the hermits and the more communal monks, living apart like the hermits for the most part but coming together for celebrations and mutual support in times of trouble. For me it’s suggestive of the path I see many deep green Christians like myself pursuing, gathering seasonally but scattering in between apart for online conversation and the occasional shared coffee or meal with one another.
Curious Christian 