Living mission every day: views over Rodome in the Pyrenees, one of the sites of the houses of mission
(Photo: © Pippa Soundy/CMS)Unique opportunities to live life differently with small mission communities in urban England and rural France
Since the CMS
Houses of Mission conference last year, two new opportunities have opened up for people who feel called to live in residential communities serving the areas around them.
They couldn't be more different: one is in the urban Tolladine area of Worcester, seeking to be a spiritual resource for this community.
The other is extremely remote – in the Pyrenees in southern France. A stunning location, a unique situation, and great potential for unusual mission.
The Tolladine Mission in Worcester is seeking new members after establishing its first house in 2011. They are looking for residents with a heart for young people – as 35 per cent of the people of Tolladine are under 20 years old.
This project has been chosen as one of 10 'pathfinder' projects to receive funding from the Church Commissioners and the Archbishops' Council in order to "develop church growth in deprived areas". CMS has partnered with Church Army and the Diocese of Worcester to help establish the Tolladine Mission.
"One of the key concepts underpinning the Tolladine Mission is that it should include a group of people living closely together in the mission area, bound together by a common purpose and sharing a simple 'rule of life'," explains the mission's coordinator Robin Sykes.
"They are to be points of Christian witness within Tolladine, demonstrating in their lives and by their openness and hospitality the value and challenge of the Christian way of life."
Meanwhile in the remote mountains of southern France, CMS mission associates Jeanne and Stuart Beaumont have been faithfully living, praying and serving in the area for 26 years. They have always had a vision for others to join them – and now could be the time.
It is a unique situation, for Jeanne is suffering from poor health and Stuart needs some assistance to care for her if they are to carry on living in their remote home.
A person or couple who are willing to share in Jeanne's care and to join with Stuart and Jeanne in their mission could help to grow what could be a much-needed spiritual resource centre for a scattered network of Christians who are committed to mission in the area but often feel isolated.
Jeanne and Stuart are offering free board and lodging in exchange for help with care for Jeanne.
Pippa Soundy, CMS community chaplain, has visited the couple. "If you love mountains and winter sports, this could be God’s place for you!" she says.
"Stuart and Jeanne see small missional communities as being the best way to reach out to rural people with the gospel and have a large eight-bedroom house ready for use as a mission base."
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please contact Pippa Soundy at CMS:
pippa.soundy@cms-uk.org