In 2012, Chrissy was pregnant and found herself kicked out of her family home. Homeless, and separated from family, eventually even her children, her life spiraled downward through abusive relationships and addictions. After years on the streets, Chrissy found family and faith in a new community, a Settled Sacred Settlement.
Who is Settled?
Settled is an organization that partners with local churches to build tiny home communities on church land. The model is community first as opposed to housing first. A place to live, without a healthy community, is not enough to grow into restored life. Sacred Settlement’s full community model consists of Intentional Neighbors, Permanent Homes, Cultivated Places, Purposeful Work, and Supportive Friends. In addition to these elements, the local church becomes part of the extended community, as part of the church building becomes a common home for the Sacred Settlement neighbors.
Sacred Settlement Heartwood
As pastor of Heartwood Church, Oakdale, and a Benedictine Oblate, I saw alignment with Settled’s values and proposed to lead Heartwood into growing a Sacred Settlement community. I find alignment with the Benedictine values of Dignity of Work, Hospitality, Justice, Respect for Persons, and Stewardship, but the most prominent to me is Community Living. As Oblates, we do not live at the monastery, yet the Sisters have invited us into their common home. Now, by partnering with Settled, Heartwood Church will live into a new monasticism, as our facility and land become a common home where we build relationships. As we grow community to connect people to abundant life, we will “let all things be common to all” (RB 33), our building and ourselves. The Sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery encouraged me greatly when they heard the vision and quickly agreed to become our first community partner.
A Call to Community
Oblates live The Rule outside the monastery, integrating the Benedictine practices and values into our lives in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the world. For me, and perhaps for you, that new place is in a community where someone who was formerly homeless is embraced in God’s community.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ – Matthew 25:34-36
