Thursday, October 18, 2007

Why?????

Well I was talking to my boyfriend about the commune type of community, and he does not understand why I would want to live in one. He seems to think it is just because I do not want to move away from John and Katie Russell.

Where this may be part of the idea, it is certainly not all of the issue. I want to live with like minded people whom I can have open conversations with and I would almost never be alone (I hate being alone). In fact, it is sad, but I do not even do well when I am up and everyone else is asleep! However, that is not the entire reason either. I do not even know why I want this.

Every time I think of the commune, I want it. There is not really a strong explanation. So I ask all of you... why do you want it????

Monday, October 8, 2007

Speaking out of line?


I may be speaking out of line at this time, my intent for this post is to present another idea that came to me when reading some of the discussion. Now please remember this is a message I hear, I do not expect anyone else to hear it…

Genesis 12:1 “The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you…”

I hear him calling me to a life that requires me to give up all. I feel he will lead me to the place I am to be, he will provide for me when I get there, and if I have to leave. I am not sure if I want to ask too many questions before I go. I know at this point I am trying to get relationships and finances in order for this. That is all I know.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

A Response to Excellent Concerns


I began this post as a comment under "Commune Lite." I have moved it here due to its length.

Monica,

Firstly, allow me to say that your concerns are well rooted and eminently practical (something I am not at all). They are, perhaps, too practical for this idealist stage of pure speculation. The "what" and the "why" precede the "how." Nevertheless, I will - hesitantly - try to make some answer, as I am able at this point.

You write,
"If we had to leave, how could we possibly do it without being financially ruined?"
I suppose I may be revealing economic ignorance by admitting I don't understand this question. If some have to leave, they'll have to get new jobs, just like if they have to leave where they are now. If they leave the community, it has less people to provide for - therefore less need of their financial support. Perhaps you are talking about retirement savings?

Possibly, the community could set up a kind of "CRA" (community retirement account). This would have the advantage of commanding a higher interest rate due to its higher balance. If members leave the community, they could take with them the money they put in during their membership plus the interest it has earned. In this way, as long as they live in the community, ownership is common; should they choose to leave, they could revert to private ownership. Again, perhaps I am revealing economic ignorance?

You write,
"How do we solve differences of opinion in the 'outside world' factor?"
It is absolutely certain that differences of opinion regarding this and many other issues will surface on a regular basis. Undeniably, entering the community involves self-sacrifice. Such differences should be settled in the chapter room, wherein the community regularly meets to discuss its affairs in all charity. Ultimately and ideally, our bishop would govern these meetings. Many issues could be resolved democratically. But, the individual would have to sacrifice certain of his own desires to continue living in the community. We all would benefit from this. We all could be more humble.

You write,
"How do we solve the church question?"

This is the most important of your concerns, I believe. The community must form around the Church. It must begin and end with the Church. Without the Church's approval and endorsement, we are nothing. It may be that the Church refuses us as quacks. Let us submit to her wisdom, then. So be it. It may be that the Church does indeed endorse a community seeking to live the apostolic way. Let us submit to her wisdom, then too. So be it.

You write,
"If this ever works out we would probably just have to go to the church of our choice in the closest town"

This is not what I envision. As I say, I believe we should begin with the Church. I believe the community should attend one church of one rite or the other. If we are not common in prayer, then there is no reason for us to be a community. A bi-ritual community, while possible, would be confused. The different Churches even follow different calendars. It would be quite awkward for some members of the community to be fasting while others are feasting. The community must be as one. In prayer above all things, it must be as one.

For the sake of unity in prayer, the community must begin with the Church. If we "buy houses on the same block," as Dave suggests, the church should already be on that block.

I have already done this. I already live somewhat like Dave suggests. My beloved wife, son, and I live in a semi-common situation with Dusty - retaining private ownership. We live next to our parish church, to which we give ten-percent of our income. The parish uses these funds, in part, to maintain common buildings, such as a community hall where we share meals with the parish two or three times a week and a school building that it seeks to renovate and turn into a school. It is, as Dave often points out, fun. If others wish to join us, many houses are for sale in the neighborhood.

But I hope for something more than this. I hope, but do not unwaveringly expect.

Commune Lite

Another possible model for a Christian community would be for everyone to agree to buy houses on the same block--but still retain private ownership on these buildings. Then each family or individual would agree to pay a certain amount into a community fund, which would be used to buy common buildings such as a school and community center, and also to finance common meals. Of course, these meals could either be served at the community center or on a rotational basis at each family's home. The community funds would have to be set up as a non-profit corporation, of which each family owns a share.

The advantage of retaining a certain degree of private ownership is that it would be much easier for a family who needed to move--for whatever reason--to do so without becoming destitute or disrupting the community's finances.

Friday, October 5, 2007

beginning finances

Our project is clearly not a money-making venture, and I expect we will live in the sort of comfortable frugality that is only possible when many people work together. However, starting a community deep in debt could create a number of problems, not least of which would be the possibility of bankruptcy and foreclosure on our homes. In my opinion, the best way to start this community would be to buy property very gradually only when we are able to pay cash for it. This might mean that everyone would live in one house initially (as even today in this country, many immigrant families are living) and then we could add extra houses as we saved money. Presumably, a few families living a frugal lifestyle under one roof could save up enough for a second house VERY quickly--even within two years. We might even consider building our own houses--just as the Duggar family did. A family of 19, they also lived through a difficult period in cramped conditions, but were able to save up and build a large house for their large family.

(Another place to look for inspiration is the Colonial House "reality show" made by PBS that places a diverse group of people in a realistic colonial situation where they must work together in very close quarters. They experience problems that we would not, such as difficulty maintaining a mandatory Sunday chapel period, but their experience is entertaining and even educational.)

Returning to my point about how we might precede with purchasing property: I think that if we were able to pool enough money for one moderately large farm house in a rural area (perhaps 100k for the house and a barn and a little land for expansion), we could then begin to work very hard together saving up for a second building. With only four incomes coming from the adult male members of the community, we might earn a total of 100k a year--though this could be more or less depending on our location and whether there was suitable employment. For example, I think I would probably start at 40-50k if I had a professorship, but if there are no openings in the classics around, I might have to settle for less money doing something else. So 100k is a conservative estimate--but even at that amount, with ten people in our community, I think we could easily save 50k a year. Without rent or debt payments, Monica and I can live comfortably for less than $700 a month, and this factors in phone bills and car insurance and an occasional resaurant visit. Certianly, one person can live on $5,000 a year if he doesn't have to pay rent and a car payment, and in a large group where economies of scale would prevail (in large meals, etc.), the expenses could be far less. In other words, $50,000 a year for ten people would be at the extreme high end of what we need to support ourselves.

So, as I was saying, we could add an extra house every couple years, and before long we would all have our own homes--completely paid for. At this point, we could turn our extra money towards building a school, a rec building, and our own church. Suddenly we would have a village.

The difficulty of this model is that it would require great sacrifice at first. But undoubtedly this would bring the group together and in the long run would help build the strongest possible community--both holy and prosperous.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

beginning members?

Besides the five of us who are members of this blog, who else do we have in mind as potential members of the community? I have a handful of friends who I am considering, but I don't think many of them would be willing to give up independent living (that is, either they wouldn't be willing, or their spouses wouldn't). There are a number of St. Boniface parishioners who might consider joining. I would love to include the the Neuliebs and the Smiths (Laura and Dan will be married soon), if they were interested. And from among the Blue Jacket group, I can imagine Christian Meadows considering it--a potential celibate!--but maybe no one else. We could also talk to the Schafers and their spouses.

It is sad to think of the people who may never be able to join--whether because of religion or inability to take on a communal lifestyle. I shouldn't just say inability, however; many may have no desire to live such a life and have good reasons for it.

But how many people do we know who might be interested?

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

the dusty vision

My idea of the communal living started when I was in elementary school. I lived across town from my friends and I always wanted to live close to them. I used to think it would be cool if all of our families lived together and ate together. This would mean I could always be with my friends. Hating to be alone, this desire stayed with me through high school. I gave up on the idea for a time when I realized my friends and I may not be friends for ever. Though the idea of a religious community was conceived in my head when I decided that I will home school my children.

Then College! I loved all of my new friends living together on campus. It was hard to keep drama down to an acceptable level because the people in this "community" were very selfish and self-serving. Here problems without number rose. This did change my idea of if it were possible to have a community just because people are too selfish. Over time the base of the community, in my mind, would be to share resources and have lots of party time. We would always have someone to play video games with or to eat with. I attempted to obtain this dream by always having roommates. This did not work so well, I ended up living alone. I decided at this point I would NEVER have a roommate again because I liked the freedom.

Then Catholicism! Here I met John and Katie Russell. After becoming their roommate the idea of the community started be cultivated once again. John was instrumental with this occurring. He also added the idea that we would eat, live, learn, and worship together! How wonderful! All would be shared. We would give our all and therefore, no one would have given more than another. Ideally we would need to have a strong list of beliefs that we all hold dear. (Note the word rule was not used. I do not think people should have rules.) These beliefs would be our guidelines. With Christ as our center and our leader, we shall not fail!