Is living in a Community for you?

We like to plan ahead and are therefore always looking for new Community Members, though there may not be places immediately available - individuals or couples or families who are willing to share the responsibility for running the Pilsdon Community in Dorset and the Pilsdon Community now established at West Malling in Kent.

Christian Commitment

This is important as it is the foundation of our Community's work, purpose and priorities.  Although the Community is Anglican in its foundation and the warden is an Anglican priest licensed by the Bishop of Salisbury, Community Membership can be and has been ecumenical.  Ordained and lay members are welcomed.

There is a need to keep a balance of sexes amongst the Community Membership.  It is also desirable to have a mix of ages and races and disabilities. Creative skills and gifts are encouraged and fostered. The ability to drive or a willingness to learn is a great advantage.

Telephone or email further enquiries and for details from the Warden or Community Members.  

Pilsdon Reflections of a Past Member

The good news about Pilsdon is that it is a place where human-brokenness is accepted and love heals the brokenness.

Well it certainly creates the environment and in the daily round of rural living, begins the journey of healing and reconciliation – both personally as well as communally.

Where to begin when talking about a life lived at Pilsdon? At the beginning seems a good place! I arrived on the 2nd November 2002 – amidst torrential rain and flooded Dorset roads and on pulling up to the manor though ‘God – what have I done, have I really made the right choice?’ All seemed chaotic – both inside and out and after a life in the city (Bristol) I was in a rural backwater to do goodness knows what!

Those were my first impressions at least.  Three years on and having joined in with all that a lively, farming, open Christian community offers, I stand in a very different place – unrecognisable in fact.  I suppose the greatest testament to my time at Pilsdon is the gratitude I have; for the work, the food, the celebration of life in all its richness, and of course the people.  What a mixed bunch we were (and still are.)  By rights it really shouldn’t have worked; so many different people, so many backgrounds, so many trials, so much woundedness! The reality is that it not only worked but it worked beautifully and more often than not with laughter and genuine goodwill.  There are simply too many memories to recount and some which I’ve forgotten, but my abiding memories will be of the goodness (and by this I definitely do not mean niceness!) of the place.

For this man at least Pilsdon has been a major turning point in his life and I am quite sure many of the lessons learned or only half-learned there will still be teaching me into my dotage.

Richard

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Members' Life Styles

Accommodation varies according to need and depending on what is available.  At present the warden, his wife and three children live in the cottage; a married couple live in a 'retired' mobile home; single members presently have two room accommodation.  The 'new' chalet erected three years ago offers flexible accommodation and is presently being used by two single members.  There is further member accommodation in the main house.

Members find themselves very busy but there is an excellent team spirit and a lot of fun to be had.  We work a six day week and take forty days leave a year and a week's retreat. Tasks are varied: all members contribute to the management of Pilsdon; we share in the care of animals, in the preparation of the meals, in the general household chores, in gardening and maintenance and in the leading of worship. Making time to sit and chat with those who make Pilsdon their home - as do we all, whatever our role - is a priority.

Living in this Christian Lay Working Community can be seen as a calling rather than a job.  There is a priestly (not clerical) sense to life and work.  Therefore there needs to be some understanding of Community Life - lack of privacy, flexibility, hard work and long days, and an ability to get the feel of the Pilsdon ethos and purpose.  

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Qualities

Stable

Community Members should be able to absorb pain in difficult and often emotional situations without going under themselves.  This does not exclude vulnerability, but does involve putting the needs of others first most of the time and being strong and consistent - but with humility.

Trustworthy

Community living relies on the building up of trust.  Community Members must avoid working out their own agenda at guests' expense.  Therefore a degree of professionalism is required and a great sense of fairness and justice.  A Community Member is not just coming to do good to others.

Kind and compassionate

A Community Member needs to be a good mixer (talking and listening).  A Community Member needs to be accessible with an easy and open personality, positive thinker, with high moral standards and a good sense of humour.  

There is a need to keep a balance of sexes amongst the Community Membership.  It is also desirable to have a mix of ages and races and disabilities. Creative skills and gifts are encouraged and fostered. The ability to drive or a willingness to learn is a great advantage.

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