Page 15 - C.A.L.L. #22 - Fall 2003

KALEIDOSCOPE
Our problem seems to be

that we never checked out
other possible forms of In an old issue of "Shalom Connections" I
housing discovered this view from Joanna Lehman of
Reba Place Fellowship:

For me, common finances are an integral part of what it means to be in
community. It is where the rubber hits the road, where the vision and
ideals become flesh. This seems to me comparable to the faith and

From the very same Leaves, I lift a bit of Pilgrim's Vision works dance. Faith without works is dead. The beautiful ideals by
for new forms of living: which we express the meaning of community and the warm fuzzy
I, like many other communards far and wide, have a vision to help create a feelings of belonging become reality when we can willingly and
new Intentional Community. However, it seems that nine out of ten joyfully submit our resources for the good of one another, and, as a

communities fail for myriad reasons, which makes me feel the need to be community, give all we can beyond ourselves.
prepared before I embark on a harrowing adventure such as this. Contribute everything and receive what we need: In this model, we all
Upon searching, I was greatly surprised to find out that there were few contribute everything we have and receive what we need. There is a
types of Community Organizer internships available. It seems to me this is an financial equality possible I’ve not seen in other models. There are not
obvious position for TO to sponsor, as we have been successful for so long. some in the body who are struggling to have the bottom-line basics,
Upon reading the FEC website I noticed this compelling statement, “Our while others can indulge their wants or whose standard of living is free

aim is not only to help each other; we want to help more people discover to keep rising. Also, because we as a group can live more economically
the advantages of a communal alternative, and to promote the evolution of (not having to buy insurance, sharing cars, etc.), we have more
a more egalitarian world”. Subsequently, I also read the Twin Oaks Bylaws, resources in both time and money to give beyond ourselves. We are
which state “Together, our aim is to perpetuate and expand a society based able to free some folks to serve in ways not possible if we were each
on cooperation, sharing, and equality: which serves as one example of a having to make our own ends meet.

cooperative social organization, relevant to the world at large, and Only if we seek the good of others: Of course, this can only be a life-
promotes the formation and growth of similar communities…”As this is a giving and joyful experience if we truly are seeking the good of our
primary goal of both TO and the FEC, I believe my proposal may be able to brothers and sisters as well as our own, and if we humbly recognize
help to achieve this in part. that our own self interest, biases, and limited judgment can cloud what
I would like to develop a curriculum geared towards FIC communards is best regarding important decisions. Seeing this, we welcome the
interested in establishing additional Intentional Communities worldwide. counsel and testing of brothers and sisters.

The programs would teach all of the basics of what it takes to start an Yes, there are certainly frustrations and problems in our current
Intentional Community. I envision this program to last 1-2 years with classes financial structure. However, I believe they are due more to our
covering conflict resolution, land acquisition, tax status, grants, humanness, our failures in love and sensitivity, than to structure itself.
appropriate industries, labor systems, consensus decision-making, To live this way calls for a lot of patience with and forgiveness of one

sustainable building, labor exchange trips to FEC Communities, trips to another – time and again. But I believe it is worth it! If we gave up the
established non-FEC Communities and many more areas. common purse, we would exchange one set of problems for another
Recently, I coordinated a structured conversation with a number of the because we are still the same imperfect people.
community movement’s most experienced and published personalities. We Speaking for myself, I have not experienced or witnessed the common
began to articulate the necessary ingredients needed to better equip purse causing undue control of people over each other’s lives. Also, my
individuals for the rigors associated with building a community from the observation has been that money issues become more central for those
ground up. outside our communal life rather than the other way round.

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