The Community of Coleg y Groes began
formally on St. Andrew's day (November 30th) 1990, when our diocesan
bishop (we are part of the diocese of St. Asaph) came to commission us
at a service at Corwen. The original vision was of 'a house in Wales,
where a group of Christians would live together, as candles grouped
together to give a stronger light, and where people could come to find
rest, refreshment and renewal.'
In 1994 the first ‘Companions’ were admitted - the
beginning of a community structure which is spread much further than
Corwen. The first Companions had felt that God was calling them to to
have a closer commitment to the work of Coleg y Groes. Initially the
focus was on supporting the ministry based in Corwen. But as the
number of Companions have grown so the concept and vocation has
developed. Today we are working at being a Community rather than a
support group. We call the Community in residence in Corwen the
‘Coleg’ and the Community in dispersion the ‘Llan’
COLEG
In the Coleg y Groes community we seek to make community visible
through a common commitment to Christ and to the vision of the
community. This expresses itself through a common life of
- prayer and worship
-the sharing of resources, knowing that all our resources ultimately
come from God
- work and hospitality
- openness and responsibility in the use of personal income
We envisage that others who join the Coleg may
own or rent their own property in the immediate locality, and may have
families. So the essentials of community life will need to be explored
and negotiated over and over again, but without losing the ethos of
the original vision. We aim for a creative simplicity of life,
enjoying and celebrating the gifts of God, developing personal and
communal creativity, not being afraid to explore and use new technology
and ideas, but standing free of the ‘must have’ consumer society. We
remember that everything we have is to be used for God’s greater
glory. We are called to take seriously the challenge of a life that is
conformed to Christ and his values. Living as community will sometimes
mean living ‘on the edge’ in a variety of ways.
Admittance
to the ‘Coleg’ Community is formalised in an act of worship, usually
in the presence of the diocesan bishop or some other representative of
the wider church. This takes place after a discernment process which
involves the community’s Advisory Group. Membership is initially for
a probationary year. It may then be confirmed for agreed lengths of
time, and may eventually be for a lifelong commitment.
LLAN
There are
over 430 places in Wales that start with 'Llan'. Basically it means
‘enclosure’. A 'Llan' was a piece of land enclosed by a wooden fence
within which would be a church and a group of Christians. Each 'Llan'
was established around the 6th century by a Celtic saint after whom
the site was named.
Part of
the initial vision for Coleg y Groes was of ‘a group of Christians
living together, like candles that give more light if they are grouped
together, where people can come and find rest and renewal and go out
again’. Over the years this has expanded so that the community is not
necessarily in one place. One of the features of the last few decades
has been the development of dispersed communities. The growth of
communication technology provides tools to help in developing such a
community. The challenge is to explore ways for a dispersed community
to have “stability” and a recognizable identity while it is not
located in a particular place.
What makes
the Llan Community any different from a selection of Christians who happen
to know one another slightly and correspond occasionally? Members identify with and seek to live out the Community vision - the
centrality of an accepting love which takes as its model the love of
Jesus and the commitment to building community in this Community and
wherever we find ourselves;
They seek
to nurture that commitment through
(i) a pattern of life which gives an important place to the
prayerful reading of scripture and regular prayer. Members are
encouraged to have a ‘soul friend’.
(ii)
regular prayer for one another. The Community
Daily Prayer is a tool for
this.
(iii) regular contact with one another, by
email, phone and letter, and by meeting in
local
groups where possible. A Community Newsletter which comes out
quarterly, aims to share ideas and encourage discussion,
consultation and fellowship.
(iv)
giving priority to attendance at the annual Community meeting
(v)
support for the ministry based at Coleg y Groes in whatever way is
appropriate.
Membership
of the ‘Llan’ is formalised in an act of worship, usually in the
presence of the diocesan bishop or some other representative of the
wider church. There is usually a year for reflection and discovery
between first requesting membership and the making of a member.
Membership is for 3 years, normally renewed at the annual Companions
meeting. ‘Llan’ members wear a small version of the Community cross as
a mark of identity.