May 2nd 2007
We have been thinking through when or even if we need to move in order to create a community environment. Clearly if we go with the model of living in close proximity with common land and common buildings, this can only be activated within the context of a fairly substantial plot of land which we would then seek planning permission to develop further.
Another way of operating would be for others to move to this area or ours to theirs and live in proximity to each other - sharing resources amongst ourselves in some way. We could agree on a small market town or large village - and all aim for that. Woodbridge comes to mind!
Perhaps even more important than the where is the who. I suspect a great deal of where and how will be resolved by who is involved. We need to evolve a process through the setting up of a method to explore calling to live in community. We are toying with various processes but essentially it will need to look something like this:
1. A Time of personal prayer and contemplation. Discussion with friends beyond the project. Questions. Answers where possible. Discernment of fears and fantasies.
2. Decision to engage in a process of discernment directly with us.
3. Visit. Time spent getting to know each other and testing boundaries. A Myers Briggs workshop might fit well here. It is an opportunity for further mutual discussion. It could also be a time to get to know the space and the people running it without any serious issues regarding outcome.
4. At the end of the stay a decision would need to be taken about how to progress. The person goes home and has a cooling off period alongside a chance to further consider any proposals that have been tabled. These would be either:
i) No further action - but welcome to return for retreat at any time. Mutual or one side recognising that the costs outweigh the potential advantages.
ii) No further action - at this time because of practical/emotional considerations - but open to further consideration at the individual's request. Keep in touch.
iii) Option to return for a test run - working together in community.
iv) Option to return for a further exploratory visit where questions can be addressed and further issues explored, but without the shared experience of working together.
5. If the person is moving on in process, at the point when the person moves into the test run, as realistic a scenario as possible will need to be created. If we are still on our current site then at least some of the time during the return visit should ideally be spent with a retreatant using The Sanctuary. This gives us all a sense of what it is like when others are the centre of our communal service.
During this time it would be important for the person to work on their own projects for as much of the time as possible. Clearly the longer this period of discernment is the better. What happens when the petty tensions of living in close proximity build up? How do we express difference? How do we manage conflict?
There need to be opportunities to sense each others giftedness as well as participate fully in a shared life whilst observing the privacy and space we all need to grow, reflect and develop. Ideally I guess we would practice sharing facilitating worship, meditation, mutual learning, cooking, cleaning, shopping, gardening, pursuing personal recreation, reflecting, time out.
6. At the end of this period, again the person returns home for a time of personal reflection. If all the parties agree that living in community is an option then there would need to be a business weekend to start the more detailed planning.
7. The aim would be that within a month or so of this meeting, a working contract would be signed and we could begin to work together towards our common end.
8. The person then becomes a founding member of the community.
How cool is that?
The thing is does it work?
Is there a better way to do this?
I think a move will be inevitable, as space here is limited. If the community is to develop I feel it needs to be somewhere that allows for expansion, otherwise we would be living in each other's pockets.
Posted by: Simon | 05/10/2007 at 12:27 AM