RHYTHM OF LIFE
In January 2019 the St Thomas Pilgrim Community held its first commitment service with Bishop Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich. The community has two spaces of belonging: participants and full members. At the service twelve people committed to journeying together and nine made seasonal vows to follow the Community’s Rhythm of Life.
Participants are those who are committing to following Jesus Christ but are not able to commit to the Seasonal Vows because of pressures of work or other issues that prevent regular weekly participation in the worship, mission and life of the community.
Words of Commitment
Words of Commitment by those who continue to journey as part of the Community (Participants)
Bishop: Thank you for the gift of yourself, your love, prayer, friendship and time helping to bring the St Thomas Pilgrim Community to this day.
Will you commit to praying or meditating once a day, to participating in the worship, mission and shared life of the community when you are able, and to supporting the work of the community through intercessory prayer and gift of your time and resources, when you can?
Respondents: With the help of God and one another, we will.
Words of Commitment by those who follow the St Thomas Pilgrim Community Rhythm of Life (Professed members)
Bishop: I ask all those who wish to commit to seasonal vows of the community to remain standing
Prayer and Devotion
Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ through the practice of prayer (in listening and in stillness; in silence and aloud; individually and in community; daily and within a weekly rhythm) and the practice of devotion (in meditation; in contemplation; in participating in communal worship; and in the giving of time and resources)?
Respondents: With the help of God and one another, we will.
Learning and Reconciliation
Will you commit to being disciples of Jesus through the practice of learning (in dialogue and discussion; in biblical and personal reflection; in reading and study; in spiritual direction and retreats; and in the exploration of prayer practices) and the practice of reconciliation (by listening to God and to others; by continually choosing to forgive; by sharing hope and love; and through humility and peace-making)?
Respondents: With the help of God and one another, we will.
Hospitality and Service
Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ through the practice of hospitality (by welcoming the stranger, the isolated and the lonely; through preparing and sharing food; by celebrating and lamenting together; and by being the guest of others) and the practice of serving others (by responding in compassionate action to the social, spiritual and ecological needs of our neighbours, the voiceless, the poor and the excluded)?
Respondents: With the help of God and one another, we will.
Work (Daily Life) & Wellbeing
Will you commit to being disciples of Jesus through the practice of following Christ in our daily lives (by seeking to serve God through our work and activities, and by integrating the values of our faith in our daily lives) and the practice of nourishing our wellbeing (by receiving and being rooted in the love of God; by balancing work, rest and play; by pursuing activities that give life; by seeking the good, the true and the beautiful in all we do).
Respondents: With the help of God and one another, we will.
The Bishop turns to the supporters and friends of the Community
Bishop: I turn to you, supporters and friends of the St Thomas Pilgrim Community:
Will you support, encourage and challenge the members of the community as they live out their calling and commitment to journey together and discern how they can serve God in this place?
We will.