I recently received the official word that there will be no nine-week season of music, lectures, classes, workshops, worship, dance, friendships, and recreational activities at our beloved Chautauqua Institution this summer. Instead, as with so many other activities these days, there will be online programs.

The news was not unexpected, but sad just the same. We have been spending parts of or entire summers there for over 25 years now, and to us it is sacred ground.

Perhaps, if all goes well, we’ll be able to spend a few weeks at our Chautauqua cottage later in the summer to be with friends — at a safe distance — and to walk beside the beautiful lake. This loss is small compared to so many others, but it is a loss nonetheless.

Chautauqua publishes a prayer from our “interfaith family” each week. The prayer below is from a frequent speaker at Chautauqua and good friend of many there, Sister Joan Chittister, a Benedictine Sister of Erie. You will find more inspiration at her website, including a copy of this prayer to print.

I hope it will give you some solace as it has for me.