* solidarity * ecology * spirit *

Hello friends....

Welcome to the Community Communication Connection (imagine big band sound). These are the latest goings on of community action and development here in blootiful Victoria.

Contents:

1. The self selection process and questions
2. Some of the basic assumptions of the community house
3. The meetings & discussions that have taken place in the last couple months
4. Networking & connections
5. Who is involved and how you can be involved

Our first main meeting was in April. About 13 people gathered for a potluck, discussion and brainstorm at the Pear Street house. Some people were older mentors from Pilgrim United church, some were there to see how the process went, some were just curious, others were/are interested in living in the house.

I talked a bit about the context and the Catholic Worker movement, Dorothy Day and the trip I made to Cuba with the World Council of Churches & World Student Christian federation (to initiate an 'ecumenical project').

We had a check in: why is community important to us and why we were there at the gathering. We shared our diverse experiences and expertise on community living.

Then we brainstormed: how to develop community, good resources available, ideas for making it an eco house, what we would look for in a house, what sort of outreach we could do, how we could get involved with other groups and churches, what sort of community events we could do. We also talked about fundraising and how we might get support from the church. We touched on some of the basic assumptions and what the foundations of the house would be-what would make it so special.

A couple weeks later ...

I sent out an email with some ideas around 'questions for self-selection process'.

Again we gathered at the Pear Street house. There were about 8 of us and we stayed for over 5 hours (interspersed with games. laughter and food of course). We had an intense and fruitful discussion. The area of greatest contention is the idea of Christian based community. I don't think I can easily sum up what we talked about and so I won't (I''ll save that for actual conversations with you). Some people are christian, some are not.

Some don't want to live in the house because they want to be honest and true to themselves. Other non-christian folk want to live in the house, feel honoured for who they are and their spiritual beliefs while learning about christianity and embarking on an experience of 'living out the radical teachings of Jesus'. Other christians want to explore other faiths and how to get involved in interfaith dialogue & experience. Some felt uncomfortable with 'Jesus' being in any sort of mission statement. Others were excited about liturgy, reclaiming the christian tradition, having hymn sings and craving a space to feel safe to explore this faith.

We talked about commitment and the balance of school and community and how we can make both realities work with integrity to ourselves and the project. We talked about having high hopes but also realistic and attainable goals that wouldn't render burn out.

To end off I read the Zak's House (Catholic Worker based in Toronto) aims and means - their a mission statement. If you haven't heard it, it is really inspiring.

A few days later...

We had another meeting with 6 of us over lunch in David's backyard. We followed up on the christian topic. We explored the idea of having 2 houses: one more christian-based and the other more eco focused. We wondered how this could work, how we could continue to work together and support each other.

Some people felt they would be more comfortable in an Eco house for themselves and for the integrity of the ecumenical project I am trying to create. I thought it was a very respectful process. I felt heard and I hope others did too.æI really appreciated the feedback and input from others. It has been a challenging and enriching process. I really feel a lot of clarity in myself now with my passions and visions. I hope others do too.

The next week...

Four of us were at Glenys and Graeme's house and looked through different newspapers at houses for rent. David called many people. Since then David, Malcolm and myself have gone to look at 3 houses and have a list of many more to check out. It has been difficult however because most people want to rent out right away. Our best bet is probably to check again in July but it is still nice to know what is out there. Some people have suggested the idea of buying a house. Hmmmm. Lots of options to consider.

Mid-May meeting

Jonathan, Glenys, Malcolm, David and myself gathered at Davids one evening to touch base. We talked abut keeping in touch over the summer. On our agenda we talked about:

• Community House names and creting a forum for further brainstorming,
  
• Creating a website,
  
• Creting a listserve or email group,
  
• Strategies for communicating over the summer,
  
• Up to date info on folks who are committed to living in the house,
  
• The idea of two houses and logistics/feasibility,
  
• When to start looking for a house,
  
• People we would like in a group of supportive mentors for the community.