About

A quiet place to pause

Imagine a place of quiet, where people can slip in, let down, and relax; sit undisturbed in contemplation, reflection, or prayer; and leave as they are ready.

Imagine a place of hospitality, where trained listeners can help people find their way. Not get in the way, but be there, truly present.

Imagine a place of welcome, where people of faith or no faith can seek and discover the presence of the Holy in their lives.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including yourself.”

— Anne Lamott

Evelyn Underhill, for whom we’re named, taught that the two most important spiritual practices are prayer and serving the poor. We hope to be congruent with her life and teaching. We have a strong commitment to inviting people of low and no income, as well as those who have resources, to Underhill House. People who are home-blessed and home-less are welcome.

In a world where people seem increasingly suspicious and afraid of one another, we hope to be a safe place for people who might not otherwise be in one another’s presence. There’s comfort in being still together, even when you don’t know anything about one another. In the stillness, fear can begin to melt away.

Silence

Can help us…

Unclutter our minds to make meaning of our lives.

Make space for peace within us.

Hear the voice of the Holy.

Be fully present.

Listening

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”

— Henri Nouwen

Do you remember a time when you experienced being heard by a person listening with empathy? How did it feel to be heard that way?

At Underhill House, if guests desire, someone can sit with them in a space set aside for listening, and then, if desired, offer prayer, silently or aloud.

When the weather permits (surprise: almost always!), a Listener sits outside at the courtyard entrance to extend our hospitality to people walking by on the street. We can listen there too.