Rule

We intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service.  In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love.
- From the Rule of Saint Benedict

Saint Benedict is considered to be the father of Monastic communities.  Toward the end of the 5th century he sought to gather some like-minded people together in order to live in community and purposefulnesss, growing more fully in God and each other.  However, Benedict realized that this required a certain amount of discipline, what he called a “rule of life”…a sort of order one followed in order to live better with one’s self and others.

Throughout this past year I’ve talked with many of you and asked you what you want this ‘youth group’ thing to be like, what you want it to feel like and be about.  I’ve received many thoughts and comments about what you desire and now expect when we gather together.  A “rule of life,” so to speak, to amend faults and safeguard love amongst us.

Rule 1: BE HERE, NOW.
When God called Moses up to the top of Mt. Sinai, he said: “Moses, come up and be on the mountain…and BE on the mountain.”  In other words, be fully present.  We commit to being fully here and now with ourselves and with each other when we gather (this is why we agree to turn our cell phones off when we come in the door — so we’re not someplace else with someone else, even if it’s mentally).  .

Rule 2: VALUE AND RESPECT.
We respect and value each other.  Because of this, we fully listen when someone else is talking or sharing.  We commit to being okay with each other’s stories and where someone else is at in their journey. We strive to be “here and now” for each other, sitting with someone in whatever place they’re in. We also show up on time, admitting that schedules and plans don’t revolve solely around “me”…but are shared by everyone.

Rule 3: AUTHENTICITY.
We commit to being real.  We realize that God calls us to be a certain type of a people in this world He’s restoring, different from the cliques we create and try to categorize each other with. We’re all eikons/images of God…which means we’re all brothers and sisters.  Although we understand that not every relationship is perfect, we try to build real relationships based on mercy, grace, and love.  We’re learning to love others as we love ourselves.

We also understand this means being real with ourselves and that it’s okay to have doubts and questions. We commit to creating an atmosphere where we can seek after and wrestle with things, understanding that this is simply part of the journey.