“With our 24-7 community, Reconcile, slowly forming and with some of those involved exploring community living we were beginning to ask some big questions about what we meant by “community” writes James Butler. “It was therefore with some excitement that we embarked on the first series of 24-7 Virtual all about community.

One we’ve all gathered on Sunday morning, sorted out cups of tea and coffee and happily eaten anything that the girls are kind enough to offer us we begin with one of the pre-recorded talks from various people within the 24-7 community on different aspects of community.  After a quick refill from the teapot we discuss various things that have come up in the talk, normally using the questions provided, although sometimes asking other questions and thoughts that have arisen during the talk or have particularly connected with something we’re doing, thinking or feeling.

So far we’re four sessions in and have found it the starting point for a lot of fruitful discussion.  We’ve enjoyed looking at the different things we mean when we talk about community, our expectations of community, and some of the practicalities of living in community.

Personally it’s been particularly helpful to look at what it means to be Christ centred community and how that should change our perspective compared to being a community that meets around anything else.  It has also been good to talk about relationships in community, looking first at the model of the trinity and going on to look at how that can be reflected in our own relationships.

We see Virtual as an important part of helping us ask the right questions as we seek to love God, love others and love the world as a 24-7 Prayer community in Reading.”

For more information on the 24-7 Virtual courses or other 24-7 learning options, take a look at the Learning Opportunities section of the website.