“And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrew 6: 11-12 Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the year. As Jock and I get older we find that time is speeding up as each year passes. And sadly, we no longer have the same energy we once had. As you know, we have been short staffed for a while now and have been having helpers on a rather ad hoc basis, which is also tiring. However, God has been providing, and we are very thankful that we now have two helpers in place for our First Summer Term, even as more students are pouring in this week. One of our helpers has spent many times in our branch as a student and she is now volunteering for the next few weeks, which has been aided by the completion of the carriage house where she is able to stay with her two children. The Carriage House apartment continues to be a main source of encouragement and thanksgiving for us as it is now completely finished and furnished and has been well used already by two other families. This is truly a miracle in our eyes and has been realised after decades of prayer. Wonderfully, one of the first families to stay there actually met at Rochester L’Abri many years ago, and we were glad to be able to host them for 7 weeks while the wife received radiation treatment and while we were in Missouri hosting our Spring L’Abri Retreat. Please do be in prayer for Blake and Melanie Mosher as they receive further treatment. The Spring Retreat was well received once again, with good attendance and great weather, and we were very glad to have the same Missouri family help us again; in fact, they will also be helping us up here in Rochester during our Second Summer Term and will also be staying in the carriage house. With the husband working from home and their daughter being home schooled, this works well for them. Today, I have been thinking about continuity - which was a regular word in the Schaeffer’s vocabulary. At this stage of life, I am enjoying, in particular, the continuity of relationships . Again and again, we have had the joy of calls and visits from former students that have become friends, and even more. Time simply increases the experiences shared and our depth of understanding of each other, deepening our bonds. It can also reveal the activity of the Spirit at work in human hearts and minds, producing growth in relationship with God, and growth in maturity. Maturity, in fact, is often tied to infusing the ‘Now’ with an appreciation of history - and lessons learned, not only by us as individuals, but learned through past generations. I sometimes wonder about how yeast bread first came about and how we learned which mushrooms are edible – we have previous generations to thank for this. Education at its heart is about passing on generational knowledge. Continuity in history and continuity in relationships is, I believe, ultimately rooted in the unchangeable character of God - and is at the heart of the bible. This is where we find our anchor, our foundation in a world that we often experience as chaotic. As this generation increasingly embraces the existential ‘Now’ and the constant reinvention of the ‘Self’, this continuity becomes increasingly important. It is our comfort - and a light, as we shape the future in the light of learned wisdom and truth. “For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain…” Hebrews 6: 16-19 Yours in Christ, Alison
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning”. Psalm 130:5-6 Dear Friends, Some years ago, I did a retrospective on Francis Schaeffer, looking at his legacy in terms of combining Love and Truth - but I did go on to note that he himself saw Dependency on God as foundational to both, so much so that he once stated that his book on the subject ‘ True Spirituality ’ should really have been written first. And, indeed, if you read the L’Abri story, it is quite clear that L’Abri itself started out as an effort to more radically depend on God in all things, so that rather than L’Abri doing ‘the Lord’s work ’, the Lord himself might be pleased to do his work through us. L’Abri encapsulated this seminal commitment in what we call the Faith Principles – a commitment organizationally to rely on the Lord more tangibly in four areas – to pray that the Lord send the people of his choice to visit L’Abri, rather than to advertise; to pray that the Lord provide our needs rather than to fundraise; to pray that the Lord guide, rather than to create master plans; and to pray that the Lord send the workers of his choice to labor in L’Abri, rather than to recruit. Those of us who have been in L’Abri a while often joke that the Lord likes to keep us on our toes (and on our knees) by seldom supplying all four at once! And indeed, it is in this last area, of suitable workers, that the Lord is currently testing the Rochester L’Abri. To put it bluntly, we have been very short-staffed for over a year and look likely to remain so for some time yet. In all other areas, we have so much to be thankful for. Students and guests continue to come, with the Ebenezer Retreats especially full, our Friday Night Lectures have been very well attended, and we just completed another wonderful Rochester L’Abri conference , attended by some 350 folk – two very full days of excellent teaching by a very capable line up of speakers. Financially, our regular donors have been extraordinarily faithful to this small branch, and our end of year bounce was especially large this past Christmas. Most wonderfully of all, is the completion of the Carriage House! We just received our occupancy certificate from the city and are busy furnishing this extraordinarily beautiful space. Our very generous donor insisted on a high-end finish and L’Abri did not have to spend a dollar on this stunning ‘chalet on the hill.’ In terms of guidance, the provision of this third home on the L’Abri property seems as clear a sign of God’s guidance for the future of Rochester L’Abri as one could hope for. But, at the moment, we must wait on the Lord for workers , since currently it is just Alison and I. James and Imogen Lowe completed their 2+ years with us and have now settled very well in the area. James started his new job at a local Church, and they moved out of their L’Abri home and into a home of their own over Christmas. We miss them, but glad they are happy and delighted at how well the kids are doing in our local Christian school. However, the family that was supposed to take their place and were set to arrive last summer were inadvertently delayed , and now we will not be able to expect them until next May! We are thankful for their continued commitment to come and do believe they will be a great provision for the future of this branch, but the unexpected delay was definitely a setback. And then our dear single worker, Debbie Shoemaker , who was delayed in California caring for her mother for most of last year, has recently told us that she must remain in Sacramento to care for a granddaughter. This leaves a very big hole, as she was a wonderful presence in the main L’Abri House and a great support to Alison and I, especially in all the practical hospitality needs that are essential to L’Abri offering a ‘shelter’. Thankfully, through most of last year, we were blessed by a number of very helpful volunteers , and really could not have survived without them. Our recent January Retreat at Ebenezer also relied heavily on a local volunteer, as did the recent Rochester L’Abri Conference - but we do greatly miss steady and experienced support. Thankfully, as we look ahead, we once again have volunteers lined up for the Spring Retreat and some prospects for the long summer terms. And we have, of course, been in prayerful conversation with a number of folk interested in a long-term involvement here, but things have just not worked out as yet in terms of timing – it can be a slow and involved process. Because of all the other encouragements we are not discouraged or despondent, but we are quite tired. L’Abri has been here before and we have also, so we know that God will be faithful even as we wait on Him, but we would greatly value your prayer in this matter - for the Lord to send the workers of His choice, and for wisdom for us as we juggle all the moving pieces. Right now, since we do not even have short-term help, we decided to cancel our usual Spring Term here in Rochester and will instead be taking a short personal break until the Spring Retreat in MO in April/May. Though we are very much looking forward to the rest, our hearts desire is to see this precious work flourish and to be able to continue to speak Truth with Love into the lives of those God sends our way - but to do that we do need coworkers. And for that, it appears, we must dig deeper into True Spirituality - and wait on the Lord . We are so thankful that we know that you will wait with us. Yours in Christ, Jock
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 Dear Friends, The leaves are falling, the air has a chill to it, and the tomatoes are ripe for harvest. Summer is over, and we have just a few more weeks before we wrap up our two long summer terms . This has been a very rich and rewarding time for us as workers, and also for those the Lord has sent to be with us. Our prayers have been answered for more students - and for the Lowe family to be able to join us for a few months once more. This term in particular has been marked by the arrival of many internationals ; two Ghanaian girls, an Ethiopian theological professor, a girl from Kazakhstan and another from Thailand - with visits also from a few Brazilians. Americans have also come from far and wide; north, south, east and west. In the midst of this fascinating group of people, we have seen significant change and the work of the Holy Spirit. There have been folk who have presented with very difficult problems and hard questions, and we have been encouraged by the progress they have made. One girl has even come to the place of wanting to be baptized and she was going to speak with her pastor upon her return home. Our Ethiopian theologian, who is with us for several months as a guest, said that he has been surprised by how many difficult questions he has heard being raised, and seeing the value of our discussions and personal interaction rather than just reading about these questions in a book. For us, these are the highlights of doing this work. The carriage house is moving along slowly. We have a family coming to stay soon and would like it to be ready for them. We are now having to do a fair amount of the final finishing work ourselves, with James installing the beautiful, vaulted wood ceiling and Jock starting on the hardwood flooring. Our very generous donor is continuing to make sure that things are being done to a very high standard. The Lowe family are doing well and glad to be back and we have been very glad for their help over this busy summer. James is delighted to have been offered a position as Associate Youth Pastor at a very good and growing local church. Please pray on, as they now wait on yet another visa process. Their kids have just started school and are thrilled to see their friends again. It will be great to have them in the area going forward. Debbie has been in California taking care of family needs for quite some time now, but we are planning on her return in time for our upcoming Fall Retreat at Ebenezer – please pray she can wrap everything up in good time. Thankfully, helper Bob was able to cover for her and has done a lovely job of caring for people in the main house. Still there is much to be done around the property and now we are dealing with some leaky roofs amongst other things. All the money for the carriage house is designated for that purpose only, and so when we have had some recent financial shortfalls Jock has had to do a lot of juggling, and make some cuts. Over these many decades in L’Abri, we have often seen that the three faith pillars of L’Abri , workers, students and finances, never arrive all three at once. At present, we are very heartened by the increase in student numbers but are being stretched by the other two pillars. This keeps us on our knees - but we are always grateful for the many ways that God is providing in our midst. He is always good, and we can always count on him. This last week, Jock has tried something new. He had a morning seminar for aspiring L’Abri lecturers . Professor Greg Jesson and Jock gave talks and there was a round table discussion around future ideas for lectures. Those that attended found it very encouraging. We have also had excellent turnouts on Friday nights for the lectures this term followed by great discussions and have had good interest in the podcast where these lectures are posted. L’Abri ideas have always been important for helping people with everyday questions and struggles. There is no shortage of people with ideas on the Internet, including very strange and confusing content. We are so thankful that God has given us His Word as a light to our path, to enable us to live in reality - in the world that He has made. One morning this term I had a long discussion with a girl about the difference between justification and sanctification. She kept assuming that she wasn’t really a Christian because she couldn’t stop sinning and had thus given up on God, thinking He had given up on her. Such simple ideas can have very important practical significance. Knowing the difference between the already and the not yet is not just an abstract theological thought, but one that needs to be applied to everyday life. Thankfully, Jesus has given many helpful stories and illustrations to communicate his truth . We may feel clumsy, tongue tied and timid, but the Holy Spirit is not ashamed to work amid our finiteness. The Isaiah passage above is one I find so encouraging as we all get tired - but as we hope in the Lord we will indeed renew our strength. Praise be to God. With many thanks, Alison
“Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you”. Psalm 119:89-91 Dear Friends, There are certain questions that come up time and again at L’Abri. One is the tension between God’s sovereignty and our freedom and responsibility. As it happens, we have a lovely professor of theology staying with us for the summer and last week we had a professor of philosophy join us for a few days. And wouldn’t you know it, at lunch, one of our younger students raised this very question. As you can imagine, the conversation traveled far and wide and also reached some dizzying heights – for undoubtedly this question raises some profound and important issues for both philosophy and theology. But, of course, it also raises issues for us – and so I was quite relieved to see that, though we certainly did not resolve all the issues, we all did eventually agree - that far more important than reaching a grand conclusion is the need to acknowledge that Scripture affirms both – and thus the believer must affirm both. Indeed, Scripture often affirms them both in the same breath, and seems little concerned to answer all our many questions. And the same is true, in fact, of a number of other thorny tensions – between Justice and Mercy, between Truth and Love, between Unity and Diversity, etc. This is why Dr. Schaeffer bluntly asserted that it is ‘100% both’. It is far more important to stand strongly for both, than to try to solve the mystery. Indeed, philosophical and theological efforts to resolve the tension by favoring one side at the expense of the other inevitably moves us away from Biblical orthodoxy and illustrates the essential difference between a human Ideology and a Biblical Theology . Furthermore, in our conversation I was equally glad to see that we could all affirm the pastoral significance of these doctrines, especially the doctrine of Sovereignty. However precious our human significance and freedom may be, and however terrifying we may find God’s sovereign rule, we must come to see that God’s sovereignty is our greatest comfort! I well remember my former English L’Abri colleague, Barry Seagren, (who sadly passed away earlier this year) emphasizing this strongly. The scripture’s affirmation of God’s sovereignty is not intended to scare us but to comfort us. The Almighty God, who is omnipotent in all Creation, upholding the Cosmos in every aspect of its functioning, is also the Eternal God, the Alpha and Omega, who equally holds all History in his hand. From before the beginning, through all time, to all eternity, nothing unfolds apart from God’s sovereign will. Secondary causes and human freedom are indeed established by God and upheld by his Word but never undermine his grip on the future – and his grip on us! Therein is our comfort. For where would we be if the future was ultimately in our hands, if all eventual outcomes were determined by us? God saves us from sin for sure, but equally he saves us from ourselves and the foolish consequences of our misguided agency in this world. We are morally responsible, and our actions are consequential, but God ordains all things . We cannot fathom this mystery, but we can take great comfort that He holds the future. And, when the world is on fire and evil abounds, how wonderful it is to know that God reigns! When our own lives are caught up in the storm, how comforting to know that God has everything in hand – and is working it all for good. As you know from our last prayer letter, the Rochester L’Abri has been going through a difficult period - and the future has often seemed very uncertain. Yet, we take great comfort in God’s providential ordering of all things, and, though the future still seems clouded in mist, we have seen the bright light of his provision for the present – and that must, in faith, be sufficient. Our Summer term is well under way and is going very well – with a steady stream of students and visitors keeping us happily busy. The Friday Night Lecture series has been well attended, and the buzz of community and conversation permeates everything. We are delighted that the Lowe family have rejoined us for the summer (with visas in hand) and are now well settled back into the rhythms of L’Abri Life, even as James continues to look for work in the area. And an old friend of L’Abri, Bob McDonald, kindly drove out from California to help us for the summer - and is doing a great job in the main L’Abri House. And, if we ever falter in gratitude, we have only to look out the window at the magnificent Carriage House which day by day draws closer to completion. Yet, the future does remain a serious matter for prayer. Principally now we are praying for Debbie, still in California helping her mom relocate, even as both have health issues to contend with. Please continue to pray that God will bring the people of his choice to give this branch a future. Though we are definitely seeking to practice waiting on God and resting in his providence, we are still planning, as is appropriate. Thus, I was glad to book the Mayo Civic Center for next year’s Rochester L’Abri Conference , to be held over February 13 & 14, 2026 . I am excited by the theme ‘The Biblical Story versus the Secular Narrative’ and looking forward to developing the lineup of speakers. Thank you for the many expressions of love and care that we have received from you all – and, of course, for your very generous support that keeps everything going. We are very grateful for your prayers. Yours in Christ, Jock
‘For thus said the Lord GOD, the holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.’ Isaiah 30:15 Isaiah’s words are striking – and cut through our very human proclivities. No, this is not a promise of ‘some peace and quiet’, rather, the promise is fortitude and deliverance. Nor is this an invitation to ‘take a break’ or ‘practice silent meditation’ – rather, as in that other frequently misunderstood passage ‘Be still and know that I am God’ , the call is to simply cease – to cease our efforts to secure ourselves, to quiet our anxious heart, to rest our frantic planning - and instead, if we are willing, to trust the Lord our God – to put not our trust in men, but to turn from our own ways and to return to Him. I wish I could say I am sitting in the comfort of this promise – but the most I can say is that here lies my longing – and I am not unwilling. In the Christian life, where so often we have to walk by faith rather than by sight, our prayer is more usually ‘Lord I believe, help my unbelief’ . When Alison last wrote, in December, we in the Rochester branch were feeling pretty bullish - the amazing provision of the Carriage House was front and center – and spoke strongly of a bright future for this branch. But since then, we have had a number of blows that have set us back on our heels – and bringing us once more to our knees. Debbie was back in Sacramento for the Christmas break when her mother fell ill and so she could not join us for the January Retreat . Then James returned briefly to the UK for a funeral, but had visa problems when he tried to return. So, we had to finish the Retreat with just Jackies help – and it was one of the most difficult Retreats weatherwise we’ve experienced. An ice storm followed by a very long cold snap meant the long driveway was undrivable and we had to walk everyone (including supplies) in and out. We got through it and those attending had a good time, but we returned exhausted. But by far the greater calamity was James being stuck in England, with Imogen and the kids here in Rochester. Thankfully friends from Church gathered round, but as the visa crisis deepened and time dragged on the whole situation was torture. Eventually, through the generosity of some local supporters, we were able to hire a lawyer, and James was able to get his visa renewed through an accelerated process. We were all very relieved to get back on the right side of immigration, but James’s new visa came in just too late to be able to renew Imogen and the kids’ visas – and so they had to also return to the UK, where they all still are - united again and in the care of loving family, but emotionally drained and with complicated decisions ahead. Meanwhile, we had a Conference to plan. With the Kahler Hotel pricing us out again, we relocated to the Mayo Civic Center, which turned out to be a wonderful venue, but all the adjustments made it an especially busy time getting everything well organized. In the end we had beautiful weather, a great turnout and a wonderful atmosphere. So many folk were deeply appreciative of the theme ‘Pilgrimage in Uncertain Times’ and the speakers did an excellent job. The two formal banquet lunches were beautifully laid out and the fellowship around the table was a highlight. Though it is the most expensive part of the conference, it is most precious to us – sustaining the L’Abri focus on hospitality and good conversation, even in the midst of a busy teaching conference. Sadly, however, despite better attendance we still could not cover costs and ended in a hole, again. Pray we might find affordable solutions that don’t compromise our goals. For the March term, we had Debbie back, but still without James and Imogen or our faithful helper Jackie, who returned to her Church job - so we again felt the pinch of being short staffed . Thankfully, we were not too busy in terms of student numbers and those that came had no lessening of careful attention paid. We pray the Lord sends the people of his choice, so each is counted as a precious opportunity to minister to as we can. Progress on the Carriage House has continued steadily which is a constant visible reminder of God’s faithfulness – but the bigger picture for the branch, as a whole, looks very murky at the moment. We do not have a helper for the Spring or Summer and the Lowe’s future is very uncertain. They had originally agreed to a two-year period with us – an opportunity to test the waters of L’Abri ministry and get some basic training under their belt – a period that ends in May. Sadly, the branch finances just do not allow us to extend our support of this family of six beyond just a few more months after that. They on the other hand have really settled so well in the Rochester community that they would very much like to stay on, even if it means getting a job outside L’Abri. We’d love to have them in the area, but a new job means a new visa, so it is not straightforward. Please do pray for James as he looks for work, and we look to see how best we can continue to help them. Pray also for Debbie, back in California helping her mother move to a better care situation. And pray for Alison and I as we navigate complicated decision-making and look to the Lord for both short-term help and also the longer-term continuity of this branch. Pray that we return to Him, again and again, in quietness and in rest, trusting Him for our strength and deliverance. Yours in Christ, Jock
“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40: 27-29 Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that December is here once again! But now is a good time for reflection on the year that has flown by - and for looking ahead. Here at Rochester L’Abri we have much that we are thankful for, and we stand in awe at all that God has been doing. For some time, we have been praying about preparing this branch for the future. And He has heard our prayers! We have seen his provision of wonderful staff – and now also the Carriage House , which - thanks to the continued generosity of the donor – we are expecting will be finished by Spring. Our experience with construction in Missouri is coming in handy, as we are designing the apartment in the style of a Swiss Chalet, as per the donor’s wishes. Jock and I love going to hardware stores and looking at all the options, and we have picked out the kitchen and bathroom styles, gas fireplaces, doors, and paneling etc. The donor wants things to be good quality with solid wood ceilings, floors and cabinets. It’s a new experience not having to sweat over the cost of these things and we are deeply grateful and can look forward to having more wonderful accommodation for this branch. This development is truly a miraculous thing as it has been hoped for ever since the first purchase of the Rochester property in the early 90’s. As I write, the L’Abri International Tustees are gathered at Canadian L’Abri and our prayers are with them, for clarity and fellowship as they carry the responsibility for this growing international work. We regularly pray for some of our newer, more far flung branches, now in South Brazil, South Africa, Australia and Korea. While Jock is away, I have been taking time to reflect on the early days of L’Abri and rereading some of the Schaeffer’s letters. It is very moving to look back and see the unfolding of God’s purposes for their lives as they wrestled with the uncertainty of choices and pressures from home, as well as from the Swiss canton. I am reminded again of the golden thread of God’s leading them, their willingness to be used by Him and what grew out of their faithful daily choices. Especially moving was Schaeffer’s letter home to a member of the mission board, expressing a renewal of the sweetness of his early days of faith. He wrote “… as I walked, I looked up at the Dents (mountains) with their swirling mists so high above me. I thought how our dear Lord comes into a more proper perspective in our thinking in such a place as this - for the higher the mountains the more understandable is the glory of Him who made them and holds them in His hand. But, the other side is also true, man also comes into a more proper place - as the Lord gains in greatness in comparison to the mountains, so man diminishes. And as it is with space, it is also true of time.” On Monday mornings, we have been working through the Psalms , taking turns leading the study. Again and again, we see the psalms give God’s perspective on our experience of human joys and sorrows. We become preoccupied by the everyday challenges, but when we turn to God’s Word we are reminded of His ‘mountain top’ perspective, that He is holding this world and our life in His hands. His majesty and our humanness are a theme that never grows old. His ability to enter in - always for good - is a deep comfort. And we are strengthened by the fact that we have seen prayers answered repeatedly. Do you remember when the L’Abri well failed and we needed $50,000 to connect to city water? The money came in so quickly and that step was actually an essential building block for the development of the carriage house, as all new builds have to be on city water. In addition, shortly afterwards, the city changed local zoning laws to promote the development of secondary dwellings, another essential building block. Did we know that this would all unfold? No, but God did! We have seen and known his faithfulness in both the small personal things as well as in the historical development of this work. It is one of the great encouragements that comes with getting older. Even though we do get tired and weary, our lived experience of God’s faithfulness grows. Remembering His specific answers to prayer is a biblical pattern and His faithful work in the history of L’Abri is indeed a demonstration of the truth and reality of the God who is There, just as Schaeffer wanted L'Abri to be. Recently I was talking about this with a woman who is an Episcopal priest, as we sat in the chairs looking out over Rochester. I was at first a little nervous - she is a very intelligent Yale graduate, but as I talked about the reality of answered prayer, we quickly just became two people enjoying talking about God. Everyone He sends here is significant and a person made in the image of God. Another man has encouraged us all as we have seen significant changes in his life over the last few years of his regular visits. There is nothing better than seeing people discovering the riches of life in Christ. There are so many stories we could tell of significant conversations, answered prayers and the like, all despite our very frail humanness. The constant is our God who is renewing us all and bending us to His purposes. This entering in and taking on our humanity is what we are celebrating this Christmas . What a wonder and joy it is to celebrate this consummate act of loving kindness. May this joy be with each one of you this Christmas. In Christ Alison.
"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end” - Ecclesiastes 3:11 Dear Friends, August’s hot sun has tempered into September’s pleasantly chill dawns and cool dusks. The geese have begun to mull a trip south amidst the gently honking flocks gathering across Rochester’s many lakes and rivers; their wings whispering overhead in silhouetted formations across pastel orange skies each evening. I am reminded of King Solomon’s pensive words on seasons and their testament to the wise timing of our Lord in all things. The year at Rochester continues to bear witness to this truth as many things longed for and prayed for are realized. Alison wrote in June of our day of prayer and fasting as we sought God’s provision for Rochester L’Abri, especially in the smooth transition of Debbie from California. We are overjoyed to report that she joined us at the beginning of the July term! Her joining the team as a worker has been an answer to prayer for all involved - for Debbie, the fulfilment of a long held and carefully considered desire to serve L’Abri and, for the existing team, God’s provision of a single worker to takeover Mercy’s role in the Main House. Debbie came just in time for the fullest term in a few years; one which saw a return to pre-pandemic numbers. The past few weeks have been a wonderful example of just how broad a demographic the Lord brings to L’Abri. We hosted a family, a retiree, several younger people (some with profoundly challenging histories), a pastor facing a crisis of faith and numerous day visitors exploring Christian community. All came seeking shelter in difficult and confusing times and, by the grace of God, found it here at L’Abri. I was personally very thankful for a few students with good practical skills, especially in the removal of a large dead oak overhanging the Main House. Of course, just as the answered prayer for another worker creates additional financial need, so too does God’s gift of more students increase our need for greater energy and sustenance from Him. Please join us in lifting these things to Him as we spend a few weeks resting and catching up on projects that have been put on the back burner, prior to the Fall Retreat in Missouri. As well as praying for the provision of Workers, we had also been petitioning the Lord for helpers . Unusually, no one had requested to become a helper for the second summer term. We have since received two applications to become helpers at Rochester from the November term onwards. This was an encouraging development. Both as reminder of God’s attentiveness to our prayers and a relief that the team will be blessed with another person or two with whom to share the work. Please pray for them as they move and settle into their roles here. Being a helper is a wonderful but sometimes heavy load and a big adjustment. September marks the fulcrum of our year here as we tip away from the steady tempo of our two long summer terms and into the staccato rhythm of Autumn and Winter which will see a Fall Retreat, a short November Term at Rochester, the December Trustees meeting, a Christmas break and then the Winter Retreat. The crescendo culminates in the L’Abri Conference in February which will likely see 400-500 delegates. Many moving parts which require the help of our Heavenly Father. Prayer for the conference in particular would be much appreciated. There have been some changes to costs at the normal venue which priced us out. Providentially, another wonderful downtown location has been found but the additional time spent organizing all this has caused unavoidable delays. Please pray for Jock as he fills the roster and takes care of many administrative tasks. Pray also that good numbers would attend and that the conference would be a time of real nourishment for the attendees and speakers alike. The theme of the 2025 Rochester Conference is “Pilgrimage in Uncertain Times” and the dates are February 14 th & 15 th . Mercy’s garden has been well used by Imogen this year, who has taken over its care. It is wonderful to see the things Mercy left continue to bear fruit. In particular a volunteer squash plant has been prolific at spreading itself around half of the garden and is also producing a large number of fruit. She has enjoyed watching the garden grow into organized chaos as the season has progressed and has also felt the frustration of weeds being much stronger than some of the other plants. Imogen is now in the midst of making a legion of preserves: the cucumbers in particular have been productive, and she has made more jars of pickles than are medically advisable to consume within the space of a year. But we will try. As the shift towards the winter half of the year occurs, we are reminded of the gratitude we carry towards all of you who help keep this work going. It is good to know that we are upheld in the work, and to have a strong foundation of prayers from you all as we strive to bring the love of God to those who come to us in need. Warmly and on behalf of the Rochester team, James
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95 Dear Friends, On this beautiful summer day, on the first day of our July break, we are indeed thankful. We have put behind us another term of hospitality, teaching, tutoring, tree felling, gardening, laughing, crying, wrestling and listening. We are tired and thankful for the ways God has again provided and sustained us. Many times, as Jock and I walk this property, we are drawn to see all the things which need doing and fixing, and we find ourselves somewhat tired just thinking about it all. But yesterday, during a day of prayer and fasting , I chose to consciously focus on the things that are good, and that we have to be thankful for. Psalm 95 was the focus of my prayers; ‘let us come before him with thanksgiving’ . Instead of seeing weeds to pull, I was thankful that they had such pretty flowers all around them. And what a view from the point, even though the ground around the firepit needs lots of woodchip. Yes, we have lost many trees, but we still have so many healthy beautiful ones. We do have many things on our mind, including concerns for the future, yet focusing on thanks and the God whom we serve is always the right place to start our prayers, and keeps our feet in the here and now. We did see a good number of students coming through, two for the whole term and many others coming and going. Our finances were sufficient for our needs, and we had great help from our helper Cherie and from our colleagues the Lowes , who stepped up as Debbie, who was coming to work with us had to postpone. James has been invaluable taking down so many dead trees as we have had so many tree losses, first the elms, then the ash and now we are losing a number of oaks. Thankfully, we also had an arborist come as a student and he will be back to treat the oaks by the house that can be saved. We are so thankful for the beauty of this place, as it helps create a sense of shelter for those that come. We have had visits from pastors on sabbatical, women dealing with trauma, young people looking for direction and older, retired folk also figuring out what’s next. And so, we try to create a place for them all, with peace, beauty, rest and work - and discussion flows through it all (along with many cups of tea). Adding to the mix are four lively and affectionate kids, a big friendly dog and a cuddly kitten. A bundle of life that God uses to bring about comfort and healing. One lady even wept, simply sitting at a dining table for lunch, as she had been living in a less than ideal situation, and that simple act of hospitality at a table was something that even she didn’t know she was longing for. We never know what God will use, but as we perform these simple everyday acts, God in His mercy orchestrates healing by His presence. There are many things that occupy our minds with regard to the future , and we are hardly alone in this. Lately I have been reflecting on how I often worry about the things over which I have no control, while neglecting the daily requirement to focus on and do the everyday simple acts of faithfulness. I find little appeal in doing dishes, another load of laundry and writing emails, but these are the things I have some control over. Humbly putting one foot in front of the other in the everyday things is where the faithfulness required of us often lies. Kindness and helpfulness to our family and neighbors, setting the table and helping with housework may feel mundane and unimportant, but so often this is where we find God. Self-control and discipline are not glamorous but in God’s eyes they are beautiful. Oh, to see as He sees! I remember one day I was frustrated and angry with having to clean the toilet yet again. My attitude matched the job I was doing, Jock was away, and I was tired and grumpy. Then the doorbell rang, and I had to remove the rubber gloves and go to the door, WHAT NOW! It was a box being delivered and I couldn’t resist opening it right away. Lo and behold - I was reminded that my loving God has a perfect sense of timing. In the box was a gift that was richly fragrant - a Hawaiian Lei of fresh pulmonaria flowers from a friend in Hawaii! I finished the toilet laughing with my neck adorned in fragrant flowers. Never before or since has that happened, but it is a reminder of the kind of God we serve. We do feel great encouragement as a branch . We have seen God’s faithfulness in so many ways, including the provision of the carriage house . The building’s benefactor has promised another good amount to get it near completion, and we are just now waiting on the contractors, who have been absent for the past few months. Please pray for the timely completion of this lovely new home. Looking to God’s faithfulness, we have been praying in particular about the future provision of staffing for this branch - and the financial means to cover that . With additional accommodation, we now have the space to grow, so we would appreciate your prayers for God to provide the right families and resources to build the work for the future. This is in His hands, and we entrust it to Him. In the wider world, we see the old order of things becoming increasingly destabilized and it is hard not to be concerned for the Western world. Whether it is the culture, politics, or war, there is much to be concerned about. We do pray for those who are at the coalface in these grave matters and are so thankful that we can bring even these very large things to God. He is Lord and He is Mighty, so we can turn to Him in prayers that rightly end with “Come Lord, come!”. We are a people whose hope for a future home is secure and so can seek to simply be faithful in this part of our journey. Let’s lean into this world, in its glory and its ruin, seeking to be faithful in the place God has us for now. In Christ, Alison
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” 1 Peter 1v3 Dear Friends, This year has already been flying by, with March arriving in what seems like the blink of an eye. It feels like Spring really is finally around the corner. I can already see signs of life outside, with the daffodils starting to push their way out of the earth, and so many critters visiting our yard. The chipmunks are awake and up to no good already, and I keep seeing the bunny that lives under our deck out and about. The deer seem to have expanded their gang and keep wandering around the neighbourhood in search of food. And the squirrels… well, they’re always up to something nefarious. There are signs of new life everywhere; a timely reminder that Easter comes at the end of this month. A celebration of the light overcoming the darkness, and the new life that comes with Jesus’s sacrifice in our stead. Our Winter Retreat went very well. There was good attendance and Jock, Alison, James and our helper Elizabeth did a wonderful job of hosting the students there. The children and I ended up staying behind, which meant more free space at the retreat centre, and also meant that the kids were able to continue attending their co-op and Rose was able to go to her American Heritage Girls awards evening. Thankfully we only had one good snowfall, so there wasn’t much shovelling to be done (much to the consternation of the kids who still find it fun). My parents also took the opportunity to visit during the second half of January which was special. The students were grouped in such a way that it left almost an entire week free in the middle of the Retreat. Elizabeth had some time all by herself at Ebenezer which she said was necessary and wonderful but isn’t something she often gives herself. Jock and Alison visited some of their friends nearby and had a lovely time with their goddaughter. And James drove back up to Rochester to spend some time with the children and me which was such a gift. The Retreat drew a lot of students for whom this was their first time at L’Abri, six of whom came on someone’s recommendation. There was a lot of singing in the evenings as quite a number were musical, and some fledgling friendships were formed which is always a privilege to witness. Jock ended our last prayer letter by asking for prayers for the Rochester L’Abri Conference . We are now a few weeks past the Conference; it was well received and all those who attended spoke highly of their time. The speakers wove a picture of a creation crying out for us to work with God to create order out of chaos, and some showed a devastating picture of a world being ruined by our greed. Others spoke beautifully of the many ways in which we can work towards healing creation. They did a wonderful job of striking the balance between the panic and apathy that are found in society, and suggested praise as a foundation for ecology. I think all went away both heartbroken and hopeful. We are very thankful to all who spoke and all those who helped behind the scenes. The number of attendees was unfortunately a little short of what was needed to balance the books, a trend we would appreciate prayer for, but it was all still very much worth it. We are now almost a week into our ‘Spring’ term , although it has been said it should probably be called ‘False Spring Term’, as usually at this time of year Rochester is still lying under a blanket of snow. This year, the weather has taken pity on our fragile English bodies and let us enjoy a much milder winter than usual, so that we could acclimatise slower than we would otherwise have had to. It has been rather discombobulating for the Minnesotans who live here, and we have heard many talk about how unusual the weather has been. No one seems to quite know what to do with themselves: normally they would be ice fishing or cross-country skiing, so it’s a little jarring. The mild winter has meant that some projects which would have typically had to wait for warmer weather have actually been able to carry on. The carriage house project was one which may have had to wait for spring, but is coming along at a fast pace, with the house framed and wrapped and nearly all of the windows in. The roof went on this week, just in time for some rain. It’s been a wonder to see it all go up within just a few months, and the workmen have done a great job. There’s still a lot to be done but I can confirm that it will definitely be a house now that I can see the shape of it. James has been working over the winter to take down a number of the dead Ash trees , as Alison mentioned in the November newsletter. A good amount of them had straight trunks, so they have been de-branched and are piled up waiting for a local friend to take them away in order to mill for use to build their house. We have our first student arriving tomorrow, and the numbers are looking very quiet for the rest of the term. Please do pray for the students we have coming, that they would meet God and be nourished by their visit. And please pray also for more students to come and keep our quite large team busy. For, unusually, we have 3 very able helpers (Elizabeth, Cherie and Debbie), alongside our 4 workers. And of course, the 4 (Lowe children) hinderers are often up to mischief too! We are looking forward to all that this year will bring for the branch. We hope you will join us in thanks for all the wonderful work God has done over this past year, and in praying for His provision and guidance over this next year as we trust in his leading and follow him into the unknown. With love, Imogen Lowe
“…at that time you were separate from Christ…without hope and without God in the world” Eph 2:12 Dear Friends, In the very early days of L’Abri, at the height of the counterculture, streams of intellectually curious and searching young people made their way up the steep mountain road to the L’Abri community in Huemoz. Among them were many Jews. Most were nominal or secular, but with a hunger for more - and, wonderfully, many became Christians. Edith Schaeffer, in particular, developed a life-long love for the Jewish people, writing her wonderful book ‘Christianity is Jewish’ and visiting New York and its vibrant art scene as often as possible to see her many Jewish friends there. Times change and we don’t see as much of that today, but with that legacy very much in mind, I was delighted about 15 years ago to befriend a young Jewish medical student . We had many long (and difficult) conversations over a period of a couple of years before he graduated. He was in a PhD program, with a deep love of scientific research and rational thought. Thoroughly secular, he was much taken with the writings (and arguments) of what was then referred to as the ‘New Atheists’ – those, like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, who inherited the mantle of a Scientific Naturalism from the likes of Carl Sagan, but who were much more critical of all religion, finding it incomprehensible and even dangerous that in the light of evolutionary biology, folk could cling to ‘outdated myths’. My young friend was an able sparring partner and certainly put me through my paces. But as passionate as he was for science, he was also animated by a deep sense of the injustice suffered historically by the Jews – and sadly, with more than just cause. Here our conversations became incredibly delicate and many times, as his anger mounted at my stubborn Christian convictions, I thought I had ‘blown it’ and would not see him again. I prayed a lot for him and was glad that he was always willing to come back for more, but when he finally left and we lost contact, he was still as dug in as ever. Imagine my delight then, when after more than a decade, just a week before Christmas, he contacted me out of the blue. Now well established in his medical practice and with a young family, he told me that he often thought back on our long conversations/arguments and wanted to pick up on them again. And, most wonderfully, he wanted to tell me that he was now firmly convinced of the existence of God - and had turned from what he now saw as the vanity and meaninglessness of Atheism. Furthermore, in doing so, he had found his deep anger giving way to a new peace and even hope. Significant in his journey was seeing the growing moral chaos in a culture benighted without God. Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to picking up our conversations again. I share all of this for several reasons. First, it is a wonderful reminder that though we may till the hard ground, plant the seed, and water it with great care, it is the Lord who ‘gives the increase’ – and many seeds lie buried deep and hidden from sight for long periods before, seemingly spontaneously, and always surprisingly, they suddenly burst forth with the shoots of new life. That is why, as we patiently bear witness to the Truth with as much Love as we can muster, it is actually Faith that is most important – to take the opportunities that the Lord gives us, but to trust him for the outcome, much of which will remain hidden. And talking of seeds, there is a plant in Southern Africa called a protea, some species of which have seeds that will remain buried for years and only sprout when the harsh heat of a raging bush fire germinates them. Something of the cauldron of contemporary culture seems to have had just such an effect on my friend – and he is not alone. And that is my second point. The ‘New’ Atheism , which was riding so high just a short time ago seems now very ‘old’ and worn. Its arrogant disdain giving way to bewilderment as even the intellectual elites now increasingly distance themselves from its arid reductionism. It was always the case that Materialism and a Mechanistic view of Life, whatever the undoubted benefits of science and technology, could never provide a base for Morals or Meaning. And now, as theory becomes reality and the Liberal order built on naturalistic foundations shows itself increasingly incapable of undergirding a moral framework for civilized life - and the Western world slides deeper into the insanity of ‘expressive individualism’ and the inhumanity of the ‘will to power’, reasonable thinkers are beginning to rethink their presuppositions. Surprising developments in the thinking of people like Paul Kingsnorth and Tom Holland among others, are now surpassed by the amazing, very recent, and very public conversion of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. A Somali woman, raised as an Islamic extremist, she famously renounced Islam and embraced the New Atheism. With her life always in danger she became a very public political intellectual and human-rights advocate, speaking out very bravely, if controversially. And now, she has converted to Christianity! In her recent article ‘Why I am now a Christian’ she is clear that it is in large part due to her recognition that the very ‘Western’ values she so ardently defends are in fact the fruit of Christian thought and cannot be grounded in a scientific atheism. Let’s pray that more and more honest thought leaders in our culture will travel this same road. But it is not only secular elites that are having a rethink, the Jewish community also is under great duress. This is an area I know far less about, and I would not dare to generalize, but I cannot help but notice that my Jewish friend’s recognition of just how illiberal Liberalism has become in our contemporary culture, appears also to be a growing concern in the wider Jewish community. The values of tolerance and equality, of such critical historic importance to Jews, and once guaranteed by western Liberalism, now no longer seem so secure. After all, that ‘all men are created equal’ is only self-evident if in fact there is a Creator - and once our unalienable rights become anchored below rather than above, they are significantly less unalienable. Please do pray for my conversations with my friend - and all the many conversations that are the hallmark of our L’Abri ministry. Nothing is more low-key than simple hospitality and straight-forward conversation, but together they can have a powerful affect in the many folk that continue to visit our branches. Giving ‘honest answers to honest questions’, speaking the Truth in Love, meeting people ‘where they are at’, is a ministry of small moments – but moments that can have eternal significance. The past year has been full of blessing for the Rochester branch - good student attendance, steady finances, wonderful work colleagues and timely help – with the additional excitement of breaking ground on the Carriage House! But, looking ahead, we covet your prayers for new workers – with Mercy now married and the Lowe’s time of departure rapidly approaching, we need more long-term help. Pray also for the Rochester L’Abri Conference coming up shortly. With expenses always increasing, we need good attendance to balance the books. Please spread the word – ‘In Pastures Green : The Creation Mandate and a Mandate for Creation’ – February 16 & 17 . Yours in Christ, Jock
Rochester L'Abri Prayer Letter - September, 2026
Alison McGregor • September 17, 2026
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2: 1-5
Dear Friends,
We have just said goodbye to our helper family, the Kelly’s, and Summer term has now finally wrapped up. I have been looking back at the names of all the people that have come through here these last 7 weeks and there have been over 30 that have walked through our doors. We have had a fairly international group, as well as many from all around the country. Our last student was a Hindu Indian lady who was pursuing ‘spirituality’. She was very open to Christianity and there were some good discussions, however she sees Jesus as just another God. Please pray that she comes to know who he truly is.
Reflecting back, I am struck by what a rich bundle of life we have here. Our helpers, Steffi, Emma and Claire did an excellent job of hospitality, maintaining a warm and inviting home, and we had some great musicians in the mix as well. It was a treat to have so much help, and I was able to step back from the normal heavy cooking load, so I personally am not as tired at the end of term.
Jock was also glad to have some extra help from Gabriel, with all the tree work that needed to be done after a recent major storm. He is as local lad who was a previous student, and it has been great to see him loving this community life. In addition to storm damage, two very large and quite dangerous trees bordering our neighbours were also safely brought down. There has also been another local, Schyler, who has been joining in regularly, as well as our neighbour’s kids who have been coming up to play with the Kelly’s girl, Haven. I often take the kids as well as our dog Moses on golf cart adventures around the property and I think I may enjoy this as much as they do. I hope you can get a picture of the fullness of life that we have here, where laughter, tears, seriousness and fun are all part of the mix. Unlikely relationships are formed and we are privileged to see change in the lives of the people that God sends.
Along with the daily life of community, we have had a great mix of Friday Night lectures which can be found on our podcast. Mark and Terri Ryan Joined us for a visit, as well as Douglas and Kathleen Groothuis and a number of locals lectured as well. The carriage house has been in full use as the Kelly family were able to stay there for the term and loved its beauty and comfort.
The Moshers will be back to stay for a while this Fall as they continue treatment for Melanie’s cancer. She is doing pretty well, but they continue to covet your many prayers for their dear family.
Next week we head down to Missouri for our Fall Retreat and Steffi will carry on helping along with another Emma who has previously helped at English L’Abri. We are grateful for the help, but please do pray that things will go well there as well.
Meanwhile, Jock is working on the Conference schedule. Do save the date for our next Rochester L’Abri Conference at the Mayo Civic Center – ‘Discipling the Nations – at Home and Abroad’ – February 19 & 20, 2027.
In L’Abri there is always a lot of coming and going and we are always aware of God’s sustaining Grace in it all. The encouragements outweigh the challenges, and the comfort of God’s Spirit sustains us in this rich and full life. We are conscious of the privilege that we have especially as we are aware of how much loneliness there is in this culture. As believers, we have a God given family and meaningful relationships are the fruit of the Christian life. It is a central role of the church, and I pray that we can encourage our students to re-engage and overcome their disillusionment. Stepping out of our self-contained bubbles and being vulnerable with each other leads to the kind of relationships Christ has made us for. Love that is other-centred is at the heart of the Christian life and makes us rich beyond measure. Please pray with us that we as a community can live this out as much as we are able.
With many thanks for your support,
Alison