The Olive Branch

The Olive Branch is a group which was set up by the former Reconciliation Officer Olive Bell.  It is made up of women who are leaders within the Churches as well as leaders of Church women’s organisations, such as Mothers Union, Presbyterian Women and Methodist Women in Ireland.  

The group is convened by Dr Scott Boldt, Director of the Edgehill Reconciliation Programme. 

The Mission Statement for the Olive Branch is: the group exists to explore the shared ministry of women to others and develop pathways towards a reconciled community.  They have accepted the invitation to become involved in the work of building peace and relationships throughout the community. 

Drumalis  

Recently, the Olive Branch met for a day at Drumalis.  Drumalis is a retreat centre owned and managed by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.  The ministry of the house is one of reconciliation and nurturing, seeking to be healers in a divided world.  Drumalis is a place of welcome where one can draw life and strength from sharing and prayer.  It is a living community where all experience the power of God’s love and compassion.

During the day readings were shared.  An example of the inspirational poetry shared was ‘Our True Heritage’ written by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

Our True Heritage

The cosmos is filled with precious gems.
I want to offer a handful of them to you this morning.
Each moment you are alive is a gem,
shining through and containing earth and sky, water and clouds.

It needs you to breathe gently for the miracles to be displayed.
Suddenly you hear the birds singing, the pines chanting,
see the flowers blooming, the blue sky, the white clouds,
the smile and the marvelous look of your beloved.

You, the richest person on Earth, who have been going around begging for
a living, stop being the destitute child.
Come back and claim your heritage.
We should enjoy our happiness and offer it to everyone.
Cherish this very moment.
Let go of the stream of distress and embrace life fully in your arms.

An interesting insight from Sister Anna Hainey was also shared on the day: 

 ‘It was you who created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother’s womb'                                                                                                      Psalm 139:13

Staring into the depths, what do we see?  The journey inward is the hardest of all.  Over the years we build the walls of self-protection, blocking out light and truth.  It’s too far to go down, too deep to delve.  Yet we are drawn to the inner well, our thirst for truth longing to be quenched.  This journey needs companions, faces and voices reflecting back our own.  Loneliness aches, emptiness rings hollow.