I had a minor epiphany the other day. Well, really, it was one of those things I already knew in various forms, but it struck me afresh in a particular way this time (second minor epiphany: We humans are pretty forgetful. We need to be re-reminded all the time.)

During our Tuesday time of prayer and Learning Community, all InnerCHANGE teams are discussing and meditating on our commitment to simplicity right now (one of the seven commitments we make when we join the order).

And it hit me:

Simplicity is better in community.

One person living simply can come off as an eccentric hermit.

A community of people living simply is prophetic.

It makes more economic sense to live simply together (feed more people, share more housing space, spend less money.)

It makes more ecological sense to live simply together (share cars and utilities and gardening space.)

Community gives you built in accountability and encouragement and people to brainstorm with.

I first learnt this lesson in a very hands-on way when I lived for a season at Reba Place Fellowship, an intentional Christian community. Following the model of the early church in the second chapter of Acts, they share their cars, money, housing, the works—and they’ve been doing it for over fifty years. I was there as an intern to learn how in the world they do it; I think they would say community comes first, and choosing to live simply together makes sense because it serves the needs of the community.

However, even if you don’t share housing with other people, as my Sociology 101 professor said at Wheaton, “Everyone living on your block doesn’t actually need to own their own lawnmower…”

Community is, not coincidentally, also one of our seven commitments along with simplicity. Might be there for a reason….

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Barcelona-0561

Another shot from our trip to Barcelona awhile back. Liz can dance just about anywhere.

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The Shrine at the Friars

The Shrine at the Friars, surrounded by four beautiful chapels.

 

We make space for regular retreats in InnerCHANGE, both individually and as a team. A few days ago, our team headed out of the city to the countryside, retreating from the bustle of London to the tiny village of Aylesford.

As we approached the Aylesford Priory, we saw a sign that informed us the Carmelite Friars had been here since 1242 A.D. Surrounded by the tranquility of open space and old stone buildings, it wasn’t hard to imagine that people had prayed here for hundreds of years.

Our team joined in that tradition, soaking up the calmness of the space, and simply enjoyed being together. We wandered the grounds, wondered at the art, fed the ducks at the pond, journaled, worshipped, ate together. We spent time talking about the different ways we each individually best connected to God, and then encouraged each other to go and do it.

Our team leader, Deanna, pointed out, “We could have come out here this weekend to plan and to strategize, and filled our time with that. But we didn’t. Instead, this weekend has been about making space to be with God.”

The planning and strategizing certainly need to be done. But this weekend, I’m glad we took the time to simply be.

Sunday morning worship in the Cloister Chapel

Sunday morning worship and communion in the Cloister Chapel.

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Photo Friday: Mountain Retreat

April 20, 2012

This weekend, our whole team is headed out of the city for a retreat. It will probably be wet. No, this is not where we’re going on retreat—this is a hermitage at Montserrat, in Spain. We’re going somewhere in Kent, which is just about as cool.

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Tuesday(ish) Tidbit: The Trouble with the Olympics…

April 19, 2012

As most of you know, the Olympics are coming to town this summer! It has the potential to be a good thing for London, and in the future may provide many jobs and homes for people here in the East End. But for now, and during the event, it’s mostly a headache for folks. In [...]

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Tuesday Tidbit: Shadwell Fun Day

April 10, 2012

Hope you all had a lovely Resurrection Day!  Ours was a bit wet and rainy, but relaxing overall. Remember that “I Heart Shadwell” banner from a couple weeks ago?  Well, last Saturday Shadwell had it’s Fun Day, and it was a great success! In addition to making an excellent couple of banners (which survived the [...]

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Photo Friday: We Heart Shadwell

March 30, 2012

This week, we’ve been busy getting ready for a Fun Day that several organizations are hosting in the market Satuday morning. Liz took on the assignment of making some large banners for the event. She and a friend started painting them outside, and it quickly turned into a community event. This sort of thing is [...]

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The Flower Man

March 27, 2012

“I used to live right up there,” he said, pointing right above us at the terraced balconies above the market. “Just up there. Born and raised in the East End. Grew up here, twenty years. I remember when that pub opened. Went away on holiday and when I came back there it was. Oh, it [...]

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Photo Friday: Leave Stepney

March 23, 2012

A little bit of graffiti that Liz and I came across while walking to church last weekend. Stepney is the neighbourhood directly north of Shadwell, where we live. Escape is a common desire in both areas. Liz then corrected the graffiti to say “LOVE STEPNEY” instead. She is such a vandal.

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Tuesday Tidbit (Friday edition): IKEA

March 23, 2012

I’ll be honest—there has always been something about IKEA that scared me a little bit.  This monster of flatpack furniture, a Disneyland of home furnishings… it’s big.  And overwhelming.  And simultaneously is full of wonderful decorating ideas while reminding us again and again that we’ll never afford such nice homes as their showrooms try to [...]

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