Helping to pave a way towards reconciliation, living in an international and ecumenical Christian community, the beauty of the North Antrim coast, a unique experience for our children – these are probably the main aspects of life in Corrymeela that drew us here to become the new resource family in May 2006.
We came from a rural parish in Saxony, in former East Germany, not far from the site of Ray Davey’s internment in the concentration camp near Dresden. Looking for something more in keeping with the community life we had experienced in L’Arche Lambeth in London, where we met in 1997, it felt like a God sent opportunity when we found out Corrymeela was looking for a volunteer family.
It was an eventful first six months – as we knew it would be. We had just become familiar with the normal rhythm of life and the faces of our fellow volunteers, when along came the summer programme with its all-site water fights, Indian head massages and endless stream of summer volunteers. Just as the dust was settling and the new long-term volunteers were arriving, our second child, Simeon, was born (at home in Cedar Haven), throwing in another helping of chaos. Indeed, with variables such as the constantly changing groups who come here and never knowing what to expect at worship in the Croi, a certain degree of chaos seems part and parcel of Corrymeela life. Yet through all this we have made home, getting to know the wonderful people we have the privilege live and work with and discovering what Corrymeela is about and how we can contribute to its work. A recent visit to Ray and Kathleen has helped to complete our sense of Corrymeela’s continuity and why it was called into existence.
As a family we are in a unique position. Our roles are flexible according to our gifts and Corrymeela’s needs. As a German Lutheran minister Kai has become very involved in the prayer life here, co-ordinating the worship rota, encouraging and helping others to lead worship, and taking care of the Croi. He also plays a part in welcoming visitors to the centre, and has been helping with the running of some of the programmes. Helen has been keeping an eye on the stock of non-human resources needed for working with groups and trying to make the centre feel uncomfortable about its lack of environmental friendliness! It has gradually become plain, however, that it is more who we are as a family than what we do here that is of significance. The children in particular make a valuable contribution to a more holistic and stable sense of community. Baby Simeon is adored by all and sundry. Gabriel, at almost three years old, provides a sometimes much-needed distraction for the other volunteers from the stress of their everyday work: “Alan, do you want to come to the playroom with me? Daniel, do you want to read a book with me?” Each boy also has his own way of disrupting meetings!
Together with the boys we are looking forward to our next year here, and hope we will learn and grow as we continue our journey as a family with the Corrymeela Community.
We came from a rural parish in Saxony, in former East Germany, not far from the site of Ray Davey’s internment in the concentration camp near Dresden. Looking for something more in keeping with the community life we had experienced in L’Arche Lambeth in London, where we met in 1997, it felt like a God sent opportunity when we found out Corrymeela was looking for a volunteer family.
It was an eventful first six months – as we knew it would be. We had just become familiar with the normal rhythm of life and the faces of our fellow volunteers, when along came the summer programme with its all-site water fights, Indian head massages and endless stream of summer volunteers. Just as the dust was settling and the new long-term volunteers were arriving, our second child, Simeon, was born (at home in Cedar Haven), throwing in another helping of chaos. Indeed, with variables such as the constantly changing groups who come here and never knowing what to expect at worship in the Croi, a certain degree of chaos seems part and parcel of Corrymeela life. Yet through all this we have made home, getting to know the wonderful people we have the privilege live and work with and discovering what Corrymeela is about and how we can contribute to its work. A recent visit to Ray and Kathleen has helped to complete our sense of Corrymeela’s continuity and why it was called into existence.
As a family we are in a unique position. Our roles are flexible according to our gifts and Corrymeela’s needs. As a German Lutheran minister Kai has become very involved in the prayer life here, co-ordinating the worship rota, encouraging and helping others to lead worship, and taking care of the Croi. He also plays a part in welcoming visitors to the centre, and has been helping with the running of some of the programmes. Helen has been keeping an eye on the stock of non-human resources needed for working with groups and trying to make the centre feel uncomfortable about its lack of environmental friendliness! It has gradually become plain, however, that it is more who we are as a family than what we do here that is of significance. The children in particular make a valuable contribution to a more holistic and stable sense of community. Baby Simeon is adored by all and sundry. Gabriel, at almost three years old, provides a sometimes much-needed distraction for the other volunteers from the stress of their everyday work: “Alan, do you want to come to the playroom with me? Daniel, do you want to read a book with me?” Each boy also has his own way of disrupting meetings!
Together with the boys we are looking forward to our next year here, and hope we will learn and grow as we continue our journey as a family with the Corrymeela Community.
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