MEMBERSHIP
what members are and what members do..

 When you become part of the Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan you will

1 Stay in Your Own Home     
2 Remain in Your Own Denomination  
3 Discern and Shape your own way of service (with help)
4 Choose your Own Level of Commitment

 and you do all this in a supportive environment, with spiritual friends and advisors of your own choosing.

The Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan is an association for men, women and couples who desire to pursue their vocations individually, rather than in a more traditional religious community.  Members live at home and worship in the denominations of their choice.  Like the more traditional religious communities our Community does not require all members to undertake the greatest level of commitment.  Each member selects the appropriate level and can remain there indefinitely. It is more likely however that one's desire for disciplined commitment will grow, rather than diminish, and we are all encouraged to increase our level of service and devotion.  Alternatively a member may choose to be totally dedicated for a particular length of time - rather as the Melanesian Brothers and Sisters (and some Buddhist Communities) do. The idea is to give oneself a solid grounding in spiritual life and practice, in a concentrated way, before moving 'out' or 'back' into more apparently 'normal' society, so as to practice the life of dedicated service. To become a kind of hidden servant of those one meets. "After enlightenment, the marketplace".

If you feel that God may be calling you to some form of membership in this Community you may wish

to consult wise spiritual friends, or
you may wish to contact us,
you may wish to begin by taking part in the e-mail group, or
to email either the Abbot or Revd. Mother.( A form mail is available, which you can use for this purpose).

You will need to look for

a spiritual friend - or soul friend - with whom you can speak about every aspect of your life - not just those parts of it that you are used to thinking of as 'spiritual'.
You will also need an ongoing Spiritual Director from your own tradition  (or from the Community, if you are exploring life in a particularly Celtic way already)

COMPANIONS OF THE COMMUNITY:   Companions are Christians who have taken some form of the religious vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Stability, for a limited period of no less than one year, and who wish to continue to be closely connected to the Community, without being necessarily involved in the structure of it.  Companions  usually engage in a servant or contemplative ministry of their own and participate in community activities, including offering guidance to other members. The Community has been closely involved with the Monastery of Our Lady, the Theotokos, based in Great Britain. Recently we have become an integral part of each other and are beginning to explore what that may mean in practical terms. Which means that the two communities now stand as 'Companions' One of our members has been closely involved with the Northumberland Community and another with the US based 'Fellowship Charitos' - which holds very similar aims and objective to these. We are exploring the creative overlap which so far has been of dynamic emotional support to us. Exploring and giving thanks! We share obligations of love, service and similar vocations, though our regulations are not identical. Theology and church discipline will obviously show denominational differences. What other obligations and gifts there may be are yet to be seen.

Professed Members are Servants of the Community:  Professed Members have made life-professions of their vows.  (This will include promises made at the time of Ordination). Professed Members may also guide others, in lieu of independent Spiritual Advisors, Mentors and Confessors. Servants are seriously engaged with their vocation within the Community context.  Like Companions they follow a "Rule of Life" and are guided by a Spiritual Director.  They may call on the Community for assistance with their personal ministries, provide guidance for FRIENDS and Companions,  and are also expected to take part in major decisions which are likely to affect all members of the Community.

['Senior Friends' and 'Senior Companions' have probably been ordained or in vows for a minimum of ten years, or perhaps have had experience in communal living, with both the insight, companionship, and experience of the challenging as well as the supportive qualities of group life . They will be willing to take a leadership role in the sense that they provide wise counsel, and dedicated prayerful support for us all. They are our leaders.  They may create new cells within the Community, and guide its members through their vocational journey.  Senior Members are vital members of the decision making group. ]

Friends would be equivalent to Postulants; Associates like Novices; and Servants like Tertiaries or non-professed Oblates.. I really dislike fancy names, but what can one do?) Some people need the personal affirmation of a descriptive title, most of us like to be reminded that we are part of a spiritual family and these forms of security are encouraged. We must, however, be mindful of Bishop George's warning against being pleased with the titles and yet not fully dedicated to the way of life. That's why there is such potential for a long period of companionship before final commitment. In the end, what each individual is called - 'Sister', 'Brother', 'Dom', 'Mother', or the like, is really dependent on the  denomination of the member, and on what feels most comfortable personally.

Membership of the Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan is not exclusive. That is, it is possible for an entire community or monastery to become part of the Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan, whether for the purpose of sharing in the teaching or healing ministries offered, or in offering the service of their own particular charism or insight. What is more, any member may be (and often is) a member of another order or society. For example, one may be associated with the Northumbrian Community or one of the Benedictine Orders, Franciscan, Salvation Army Ranks or the Order of the Theotokos, and still be entitled to full professed membership of the Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan.  Indeed, you will be very readily accepted among us in such a case.

 JOB LIST:

 

Pray.
Think it over. Make lists, pro and anti, ask yourself what is attracting you, and what that implies about your own vocation.
Find someone you trust, and ask them if they're willing to walk the Christian walk with you. Be sure that this is a wise and straightforward person, as well as being someone you like to be with.
Ask God to send you the right Spiritual Director for you. Then start looking, and asking. and researching right now. "When the pupil is ready the teacher appears."
If you suspect that fasting or other ascetic disciplines may be part of your vocation you will be expected to have a doctor (or qualified nutritionist) as part of your support group. Such a medical professional does not have to be committed to the community but should be significantly aware of the nature and purpose of such practices, as well as having knowledge of your own specific health needs and issues. This obligation is also appropriate for those involved in the healing ministries.
It is probably a good idea to have access to a wise counsellor or psychotherapist anyway. Especially if this person is sympathetic to the fundamental notion of a consecrated or dedicated way of life.

 

 

Copyright (c) 2007 Community of Saint Ita and Saint Fillan