Two Steward Positions now open:

• Maintenance Steward – Starting February 2020

• Kitchen Steward – Starting March 2020

If you are interested in serving as a Maintenance Steward or Kitchen Steward at Birken, please read our general Steward guidelines and the job descriptions at our Resident Stewardships page. To apply, please click the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of that page or email meditate@birken.ca.

For all new stewards, even those people who have visited us as guests in the past, the first two-weeks of your service period will be treated as a trial period to assess our mutual suitability. For those new to the monastery, we strongly suggest visiting us in advance of any commitment to long-term service. Many people’s perceptions of life at a monastery rarely match the realities of living in community so far away from the city life. Getting a sense of our way of being may help you, and us, should you decide to join us at some point as a resident steward. Please see our Visit page for more information).

Before applying we also ask that all steward candidates read through our GUEST GUIDELINES to get a sense of daily community life here at the monastery. Long term stays are subject to the two-week probationary period mentioned above, as well as periodic approvals by the Abbot and the other members of the resident community.

Please don’t hesitate to email us if you have any questions!