|
Koinonia Today
By David Castle
- A Place: 600 acres for experiencing nature by walking in the woods, working in the garden and orchards, personal or group retreats. A get-away for renewing one's life.
- A Spirit; an open intentional community seeking to create a sustainable human being in a sustainable environment. Interracial, inter religious, multicultural.
- A Ministry: turning dreams into deeds, a "theology in overalls", prophetic compassion in blue jeans. Meeting the needs of the poor, the neglected, and the oppressed. Confronting racism, militarism, and materialism in creative, non-violent, peaceful ways. Koinonia seems to be attracting
- the "church's alumni" who are not finding their needs met in the church;
- spiritual seekers wanting to learn the unforced rhythms of grace;
- church members who want engagement in society;
- social justice persons burned out because of a lack of the spiritual in their endeavors.
The variety of "need" programs at Koinonia attract many volunteers who come to help, to learn, and to serve. Ministries include tutorials and story time for children, meals-on-wheels, building renovations including homes, family group gatherings, employment opportunities, nursing home ministry, life planning group, a social justice Book Club. Koinonia recently helped Habitat For Humanity build the Victory House ending substandard housing in Sumter County, and set up a computer lab for training.
|
