Traveling Together
Gwen Cashmore

In 1982, when I was working in Geneva, Switzerland, I walked and skied in the Jura Mountains with Sister Joan Puls. We went on to live and work together, following a common vision — blessed by the School Sisters of St. Francis. This vision was one of churches working together, enriched by a shared spirituality which would energize the busy outreach in mission.

In 1988 I became an Associate of the School Sisters precisely to structure this "traveling" together, this accompanying. I am Anglican (Episcopalian) and English — quite a distance from the U.S.-based , Roman Catholic School Sisters of St. Francis. My own background is in education in Africa. I have also conducted ecumenical work with the World Council of Churches in Geneva. But I wanted to journey with THIS Franciscan Community, and "belong" in whatever ways were open to me because I responded to the charism of the School Sisters.

It is a question of traveling. Traveling on one's own is dangerous and lonely. Traveling with others gives comfort, clarity of purpose and mutual support. The task of living a counterculture in our greedy, isolating, shallow and consumer-led society demands companions – those we break bread with. I am an Associate because I want and need companions.

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