The Community of the Way
Matthew Webster’s vision of a monastic community in the diocese is becoming a reality
It’s been a while since I first wrote about monasticism and the religious life in the diocese. What was back then an idea, a sense of God’s calling is now becoming a reality, with the Bishop kindly allowing us to begin establishing The Community of the Way in Llansteffan.
This community is monastic, which simply means we believe that God is encountered in all the messiness of shared lives. Dedicated to prayer and living a simple life under a new expression of the guidelines that St Benedict recorded 1500 years ago, we are a community which celebrates and affirms every person.
We don't want people to have superficial relationships with God, but to find depth, passion and wonder in their encounters with Him in such a way that will carry them through life with all its ups and downs and difficulties. We want people to know the certainty of the constant presence of God with them and in them. So we are a place of apprenticeship and learning, so that we can all grow together as disciples of Jesus.
We believe that God is to be experienced outside in creation and that offers us an opportunity to create a safe place to ask questions and encounter God both out on the hills and on the sea. To set out into the ocean is to experience the wild beauty of God and have the opportunity to find peace sometimes in the midst of the storm and tumult.
We are dedicated to being a place of stability, as an expression of God’s love for all people. The inspiration comes from our finding God and finding love and acceptance from God. “Jesus is my friend, my passion and my love, I want others to be able to be free to understand and feel that same passion and love”. Our hope is that others may be able to find a place of radical hospitality with us around our table, to simply come and relax and share with us. Also, to welcome those who are seeking and have questions without judgement. We are a place of mission.
I will explore these themes in the next two issues. We are actively looking for people who want to join us both in Llansteffan and as dispersed members of our community.
For more information or to get in touch please check out our website. www.comunityoftheway.org.uk