During Lent, when we remember Christ’s death, let’s not forget that the Roman Empire executed Jesus as a political threat. As we face into an election year in the U.S., we need to recall the political witness of Jesus, whose central teaching is, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Rather than giving up something small like sugar for Lent, let’s take up Jesus’ political witness. 

My journey in community has been a quest for wholeness and connection, a desire to belong to something beyond myself, and to seek to live a life that is in touch with the Spirit, with my fellow humans, and with the natural world. I believe that we come together in our longing for the wholeness of one another and of all of creation, that everything belongs.

Many of us have individual and family traditions that we practice in advent, but how do communities celebrate this season in their life together?
This month we wanted to highlight how different communities celebrate advent.

In 2013 David Janzen in one of his Nurturing Communities missives reported on his visits with several Texas communities.  Steven Hebbard, a young, “energetic and creative community organizer,” had taken him outside of Austin and showed him plans for a a new, model community for more than 200 formerly homeless people and volunteers.

Seventeen promises, at least by my count.  Steve had made 17 promises by the time the ceremony for becoming a covenanted member of Koinonia Farm was completed. 

What a rich time of fellowship was had at the Ohio River Valley Catholic Worker & Christian Intentional Community Gathering hosted the Bloomington Catholic Worker.

Alterna is a small Christian community that has endured tragedy over the recent years, and yet, has sought to hear God’s leading through mourning and grief. Alterna always has had a strong presence with immigrants from Mexico and Central America.