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Permalink Reply by Isabel Penraeth on 3rd mo. 13, 2011 at 11:35pm

Has thee heard of Bethlehem Cloister?

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Permalink Reply by Isabel Penraeth on 3rd mo. 14, 2011 at 11:02am

There's also this group near La Plata, MO, though they describe themselves as "G...

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Permalink Reply by Paula Deming on 3rd mo. 14, 2011 at 11:31am

Hello, Ken,

I have engaged in many conversations with people about variations of communal living. If my life circumstances were different, I would consider living near others who shared certain items. I do need my privacy, however, so this leading could not follow the path to its extreme conclusion. (I do not choose to do something that would make my husband unhappy, either!)

In Cincinnati, there is an organization called Imago, which builds community around the premise that the earth is sacred. Over the past 20 years, a small group of people has developed into a large group of people, and the street on which the founders live has developed into some sort of gathering place, as others in the group have moved there.

In our own meeting, several of us talked about "wouldn't it be great if..." regarding this sort of living in proximity. We talked about which of our neighborhoods might be the best place for the rest of us to converge. It was light-hearted, but there was that sense that "we are to live in a blessed community" behind the conversation.

I know of at least one family that moved to Barnesville specifically to be close to the monthly meeting there. Having visited Barnesville, I am not one bit surprised by such a leading.

I hope this helps! Yours in the Light, Paula

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Permalink Reply by Kenneth Lawrence Schroeder on 3rd mo. 15, 2011 at 7:24am

Thank you for the information, Isabel.

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Permalink Reply by Kenneth Lawrence Schroeder on 3rd mo. 15, 2011 at 7:38am

Hello Paula,

We have a little intentional community started here in Castelo de Vide; we all live our own lives in our own homes, but gather frequently for camaraderie and to make plans; we're starting at least one, but probably two or three collective gardens; everyone who can will work them and take what they need from them; we look after one another's needs, whether firewood, food, rides, housing, even money; but to say we hold all things in common would be an exageration. Two months ago most of us barely knew one another, and now we're committed to mutual aid based on 'love your neighbor' (though I am the only Christian in the bunch). This is working, and I think will continue to work for several reasons: first, there are a lot of seekers and self-marginalized people in this area; many in the group are Dutch or Belgian , the Portuguese in the group are all outsiders in some way, so most of these people lack the family and friend network found throughout most of society. Another important factor is that we all live our own lives, in our own homes (for the most part) , and the communal aspect is temporary. We all have our space. As I've got roots here now, moving to Barnesville or a place like the ones mentioned by Isabel are out of the question, but I was just wondering if anyone had gone farther than we have in a loose community such as we have. Thanks as always for your response.

Ken  

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