Sometimes we need to listen to outside voices, to hear the prophetic voice of God. In this podcast, Ian Mobsby reflects on a You Tube clip of a TV Show by Bill Maher who rightly points out the hypocrisy of many Christians. This is not a smug go at the North American Church, but a challenge to all Christians to be followers rather than observers of Jesus Christ.
In this podcast recorded at the Moot Eucharist in Epiphany 2012, Ian Mobsby explores the issue of following rather than just observing the teaching of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels. Jesus is pretty clear about expecting his disciples and followers to change the way they act. This podcast seeks to explore this drawing on three scriptural passages - Revelation 19:6-10, John 2:1-11 and Galatians 5:19-24.
In this first Moot podcast of 2012 Aaron Kennedy talks to Tobias Jones about what inspired him to set up his community house in the woods near Bristol, what its like, and what communities like it are saying to the church today. Tobias Jones is a freelance writer, well-known for his books The Dark Heart of Italy and Utopian Dreams, and his regular column in the Observer, in which he relates his experiences of living in community. For information on the Windsor Hill Wood Community see their website http://windsorhillwood.co.uk/ For more information on New Monasticism see www.new-monasticism-network.ning.com We apologise for the drop in sound quality in some parts of this podcast.
And so we come to the end of Advent and enter into the celebration of Easter. Ian Mobsby shares some reflections and a poem in celebration of the coming of God in human form.
The next podcast will be in January 2012, as a dialogue between Aaron Kennedy of the Moot Community and Tobias Jones. Tobias is a wellknown writer, journalist and communitarian overseeing an unusual spiritual community in some woods in southern England.
As part of this years art, spirituality and reflections on Advent, Vanessa Elston leads this fourth and final podcast exploring the theme of 'Do not be afraid to look for joy in unexpected places'. This year the Moot Community at St Mary Aldermary are hosting a number of spiritual events to promote engagement with the season. For more details on this, see the Events section of the Moot Website www.moot.uk.net
As part of this years art, spirituality and reflections on Advent, Ian Mobsby leads this third podcast exploring the theme of 'Do not be afraid to respond to love'. This year the Moot Community at St Mary Aldermary are hosting a number of spiritual events to promote engagement with the season. For more details on this, see the Events section of the Moot Website www.moot.uk.net
As part of this years art, spirituality and reflections on Advent, Vanessa Elston leads this second podcast exploring the issue of risk, peace and the undefended life. This year the Moot Community at St Mary Aldermary are hosting a number of spiritual events to promote engagement with the season. For more details on this, see the Events section of the Moot Website www.moot.uk.net
As part of this years art, spirituality and reflections on Advent, Vanessa Elston leads this first podcast exploring the issue of hope and being undefended. This year the Moot Community at St Mary Aldermary are hosting a number of spiritual events to promote engagement with the season. For more details on this, see the Events section of the Moot Website www.moot.uk.net
In this second of two podcasts, Ian Mobsby dialogues with Professor Philip Sheldrake about Spirituality, Contemporary Culture and the Church. Philip is a well-known international authority in the areas of Christian Spirituality, Public Theology and inter-religious dialogue. He has written a number of leading books and articles on these significant subjects. This second podcasts looks at the themes of spirituality informed economics, and the understanding that the market was supposed to be about building a better world. Philip shares his hope that we begin to see that consumption is not an end in itself, and that we recover a sense of a just and human centred society.
In this first of two podcasts, Ian Mobsby dialogues with Professor Philip Sheldrake about Spirituality, Contemporary Culture and the Church. Philip is a well-known international authority in the areas of Christian Spirituality, Public Theology and inter-religious dialogue. He has written a number of leading books and articles on these significant subjects. This first podcasts looks at the themes of spirituality as a principled life, an inner experience of transformation through encounter with God, the freedom of spirituality as a life away from self-centredness and the challenge of the Church to be spiritual in our current western contexts.
In this more reflective podcast, Ian Mobsby leads a time of lectio divina on the words of Jesus around praying the Lord's prayer followed by a reflection and a short homily. This podcast enables you the listener to actively stop, listen and respond to the words of Jesus, a meditation and homily on why we should pray in times of trial. This podcast was recorded at the Moot Community Eucharist, in the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London on Sunday 16th October 2011.
Drawing on the letter of St James in the New Testament, Ian Mobsby and Vanessa Elston explore the calling of Christians to endurance in difficult times, and the very real financial and human resource needs to sustain the mission and work of the Moot Community in difficult and uncertain times.
If you are a regular listener to Moot podcasts and you would like to support the work of the Community in London and beyond through its website, events and activities, then you can do this by visiting our website at www.moot.uk.net and selecting the mootique page. At the bottom you will see the ability to give one off or regular giving through a debit or credit card, or through paypal. If you are a UK resident, then you can also give by standing order. The forms for this can also be downloaded from the bottom of the mootique page.
In this final of three podcasts recorded in August 2011 Ian Mobsby conversed with Simon Walker - author, teacher, mentor and Anglican Priest to explore the issue of the 'undefended life'. Simon has written a number of highly acclaimed books on the subject, getting to the heart of the calling of Christian spirituality to promote an approach to life which is undefended. In this podcast Simon explores how getting beyond fear and the troubles of our world is possible by a deep relationship of love with God in the world, that means we are able to work collaboratively with others, and trust God to be doing things beyond our understanding and control.
For more information on Simon's work see: http://www.undefended.org.uk/
In this second of three podcasts recorded in August 2011 Ian Mobsby conversed with Simon Walker - author, teacher, mentor and Anglican Priest to explore the issue of the 'undefended life'. Simon has written a number of highly acclaimed books on the sbject, getting to the heart of the calling of Christian spirituality to promote an apporach to life which is undefended. In this podcast Simon explores how getting beyond fear and the troubles of our world is possible by a deep relationship of love with God the Trinity, enables us to find liberation and freedom whilst enabling us to approach leadership in a new way.
In this first of three podcasts recorded in August 2011 Ian Mobsby conversed with Simon Walker - author, teacher, mentor and Anglican Priest to explore the issue of the 'undefended life'. Simon has written a number of highly acclaimed books on the sbject, getting to the heart of the calling of Christian spirituality to promote an apporach to life which is undefended. In this podcast Simon maps out the effects of early childhood on our personality types, and an interpretation of the New Testament that promotes liberation through experiencing the love of God to overcome fear and so be undefended.
For more information on Simon's work see here.
For information on Simon's books click here:
In the culmination a weekend spiritual retreat at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary, Pádraig Ó Tuama gave this homily on the subject of baptism in the waters of incarnation. Pádraig is an acclaimed poet, theologian and justice and reconciliation worker, and a member of the Ikon Community in Belfast Northern Ireland. This podcast was recorded at the Evening Service Eucharist of the Moot Community at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary on Sunday 9th August 2011.
In this podcast recorded at the Moot Sunday Evening Eucharist at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary, Ian Mobsby explores the meaning of sacraments and the eucharist.
It was with great excitement that Ian Mobsby had the opportunity to dialogue with Fr Richard Rohr concerning the importance of contemplative Christianity to the contemporary World. Fr Richard is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, which seeks to deepen the impactfulness of Christian discipleship and wisdom drawing on non-dualistic, ego-transcending and gospel inspired activity. Fr Richard is a Catholic Franciscan Brother with an international speaking and teaching ministry. He has written many books and DVDs and has contributed much to the development of the Christian contemplative tradition in Western Europe and North America. In this interview Richard Rohr discusses a number of issues and thoughts pertenant to many of us who are explore new ways of being church engaged in contemporary mission who do so drawing on a distinctively contemplative Christian perspective. This podcast was recorded on 27th May 2011.
In this podcast Tessa Holland, priest, speaker, contemplative practitioner and spiritual director explores the theme of ‘An exploration of the apostolic dimension of the contemplative way’. This address was recorded at the national conference exploring the place of contemplative expressions of church, contemporary mission and fresh expressions of the church at the London Centre for Spirituality on Monday 16th May 2011.
In this podcast Ian Adams, priest, speaker, writer and new monastic explores the theme of ‘Post-secular spiritual questers – an opportunity for mission’. This address was recorded at the national conference exploring the place of contemplative expressions of church, contemporary mission and fresh expressions of the church at the London Centre for Spirituality on Monday 16th May 2011.
In this podcast Ian Mobsby, priest, speaker, writer and new monastic explores the theme of ‘The Trinity as Christian Spirituality and forms of the church’. This address was recorded at the national conference exploring the place of contemplative expressions of church, contemporary mission and fresh expressions of the church at the London Centre for Spirituality on Monday 16th May 2011.
In this podcast David Cherry, priest, lecturer and spiritual director, gives the key note address at the national conference exploring the place of contemplative expressions of church, contemporary mission and fresh expressions of the church. David explores the theme of ‘The importance of Christian spirituality as a vehicle for mission’. This was recorded at the London Centre for Spirituality in London and at the Church of St Mary Woolnoth in the City of London in Monday 16th May 2011.
In this the final of three podcasts recorded on the 1st Febrary 2011 at the London Centre for Spirituality for the launch of the new book New Monasticism as fresh expressions of the church (Second book in the Ancient Faith Future Mission Series), a panel of practitioners and missioners dialogue with a gathered audience to explore the importance of New Monasticism. The panel includes Aaron Kennedy and Ian Mobsby from the Moot Community, Graham Cray the Archbishop’s Missioner and Leader for Fresh Expressions, Ian Adams from CMS Small Missional Communities, Cris Rogers of the All Hallows Bow Church Community, Andy Freeman of 24-7 and the Reconcile Community, Diane Kershaw of the Order of Mission, Tessa Holland of Contemplative Fire, and Brother Sam of the Anglican Franciscans.
Ian Mobsby interviews the artist Adam Boulter about the current art exhibition being shown in the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary which explores the last days of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Stations of the Cross and Resurrection, are an ancient artistic form of devotional spirituality, that explores the depth of the Christian divine story. In this podcast, Ian and Adam explore the importance of art in spirituality, and the tradition of stations of the cross.
At the Moot Community Easter Sunday Service, Aaron Kennedy explores the shock, beauty and paradox of the resurrection, and what it means for Christians in 21st Century at different stages in the spiritual journey of faith. This is followed by the Easter Peace and a hymn. Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
On Good Friday 2011, Ian Mobsby explores the meaning of Tridium, in the passion story of the death of Jesus Christ, recorded after the Westminster Churches Together Procession in Central London.
At the Moot Community Palm Sunday Service, Andy Freeman explores the the story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Traditionally this is called the triumphal entry, but the truth is, it is anything but triumphal. In the Hebrew imagination of the time, the Messiah was a political figure who would bring change by might. Jesus is a very different type of Messiah with a very different form of Kingdom. This podcast was recorded in the home of Moot, at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London.
In this the fifth element of the Moot Community's Lent Course 'Giving it up for Lent' Ian Mobsby addresses the theme of Grace, Trust and Spiritual Surrender as the 3rd step of the 12 step approach to spiritual transformation.
In this podcast Vanessa Elston explores the theme of transcending the ego and dying to self, recorded at the Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London in April 2011.
In this short reflective podcast, Vanessa Elston explores some of the themes that have arisen in our current Lent Course - giving up for Lent. For more information on Moot, see www.moot.uk.net
In this the second of six podcasts, Vanessa Elston explores the theme of life in the spirit and life in the body, drawing on the biblical text of Matthew 7:13-14 concerning The Narrow Gate: ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
This podcast was recorded for the Moot Community Lent Course at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary entitled 'Giving up for Lent'.
On the Second Sunday of Lent, Julie Dunstan explored the Gospel text of John 3.1-17 using an amusing poem by an ancient mystic at the Moot Eucharist. Julie opens up the challenge of the Christian faith drawing on contemplative roots of the faith, which is at its heart, about getting beyond the ego and humility.
Julie Dunstan is a Spiritual Director, Psychotherapist, and has led a number of Contemplative Prayer Development Days for the Moot Community. Soak up the wisdom of Julie's considerable experience and Christian spirituality.
In the first of six podcasts, Vanessa Elston explores the theme of personal transformation. This was recorded in the Moot Community's 'Giving Up for Lent' course at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London on Wednesday 17th March 2011.
In this the second of three podcasts recorded on the 1st Febrary 2011 at the London Centre for Spirituality for the launch of the new book New Monasticism as fresh expressions of the church (Second book in the Ancient Faith Future Mission Series), a panel of practitioners and missioners discuss the importance of New Monasticism. In this second podcast we hear from Ian Adams from the CMS Small Missional Communities Network, Cris Rogers from the All Hallows Church Community, Brother Sam from the Anglican Franciscans based at Hilfield House in Dorset finishing with a summary from Ian Mobsby, part of the Moot Community.
At the Moot Eucharist Service on Sunday 20th February 2011 in the Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London, Aaron Kennedy explores the theme of Eucharistic Living.
In this the first of 3 podcasts recorded on the 1st Febrary 2011 at the London Centre for Spirituality for the launch of the new book New Monasticism as fresh expressions of the church (Second book in the Ancient Faith Future Mission Series), a panel of practitioners and missioners discuss the importance of New Monasticism. In this first podcast we hear from Bishop Graham Cray, the Archbishops Missioner and Leader for Fresh Expressions, Andy Freeman of the 24-7 Prayer Network and Reconcile New Monastic Community in Reading, Tessa Holland of the Contemplative Fire Community, Aaron Kennedy of the Moot Community and Diane Kershaw of the Order of Mission.
In the first Sunday of Epiphany, Sarah Edwards, participant in the Moot Community and Head of Policy and Campaigns for the International Charity Health Poverty Action, explores the nature of Christ as the Prince of Peace and of Justice. Further, Sarah explores the practical implications of living with a focus on justice.
In this podcast recorded by the Fresh Expressions Team, Vanessa Elston and Ian Mobsby discuss with Norman Ivison the New Monastic basis to the Moot Community, and its vision now at St Mary Aldermary to engage with never churched spiritual seekers.
In this Reflection Series of the Moot Community Podcast, Aaron Kennedy, Jonny Spoor and Ian Mobsby discuss the place of Christian Meditation as a spiritual practice. In the Moot Community Rhythm of Life is the commitment to the practice of prayer and meditation (daily, rhythmic, individual and in
community). So what are the benefits? What does meditation bring? How do you start? And how do you sustain regular meditation? This podcast seeks to engage with these issues, and ends with some advice from one of our teachers, the Benedictine Monk John Main.
In this podcast of the Moot Contemplative Service on the Second Sunday of Advent 2010, Vanessa Elston draws on the two lectionary readings of the day (Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12) to explore the theme of faith being an invitation to open up the spiritual landscape our lives, led by a loving God. Vanessa goes further to the challenge of Moot’s Rhythm of Life, Spiritual Practices and Postures as the means by which God is seeking to inspire to digger deeper.
In this Moot podcast recorded on Sunday 21st November 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of Hope and Resilience on the Sunday when the wider church celebrates the festival of Christ as King. Reflecting on the lectionary reading Luke Chapter 23, Ian explores Christ's call to resilient love.
In October 2010, Ian Mobsby gave this recorded paper to the gathered Fresh Expressions Roundtable Number 5 for the promotion of Fresh Expressions of the Catholic and Contemplative Traditions at Lambeth Palace. This paper addresses the subject of the Challenge of Mission and Formation with Fresh Expressions of the Church.
In December 2010, the long awaited second book in the series Ancient Faith Future Mission is published in the UK by Canterbury Press on the whole area of New Monasticism and Fresh Expressions of Church.This book will have chapters from Shane Claiborne, Tessa Holland, Graham Cray, Andy Freeman, Diane Kershaw, Ian Mobsby, Ray Simpson, Ian Adams, Tom Sine, Philip Roderick, Mark Berry and Abbot Stuart Burns.
In this podcast Ian Mobsby reads an extract from his contribution to the book. There will be two launch events in January 2011 for the book, the first in London and the second we hope in Manchester. Information on both will be put on the Fresh Expressions website, and New Monasticism Network site
In a recent broadcast with the Australian Broadcasting Authority, Laurence Freeman of the World Community for Christian Meditation led a number talks on the subject of meditation and spirituality in the modern life. Laurence is a Benedictine Monk, and the World Community have a community house in Kensington. We hope to do a podcast interview with Laurence sometime in the near future. To listen to the podcast, see below.
In this podcast recording of the homily in a Moot Community Eucharist on the 19th September 2010, Vanessa Elston explores the gift of Communion or Eucharist as a sign of God's unconditional love of us. Not only this, but such a gift of belonging in the community that is the Triune God, opens the importance of human community, and tha challenge to sink roots that are beyond the temporary.
In this Moot Community Podcast Kester Brewin - writer, speaker and teacher - dialogues with Ian Mobsby about the Other, Technology and New Monasticism. There are some really interestng insights here, about the mathematician as mystic, artist and philosopher. As well as teaching and writing, Kester is one of the founders of 'Apple', an important space for dialogue about the modern world, technology and human-wellbeing.
In this, the second of two podcasts, the conversation between Phyllis Tickle and Ian Mobsby continues with an exploration of models of church, participation and commitment to faith communities and new monasticism. We apologise for the loss of sound quality at points in this recording caused by an electrical storm over Phyllis Tickle's house in the south of the USA. So listen nd enjoy, Phyllis is a great person to converse with.
In this first of two podcasts, Phyllis Tickle dialogues with Ian Mobsby about Emergence Christianity, New Monasticism and Trinitarian Theology. This recording was made in the middle of an electrical storm over Phyllis's home in the south of the USA, so apologies for the occasional crackles and reduction of sound at the ending of the first podcast.
In this podcast interview, Brian McLaren dialogues with Ian Mobsby exploring the future of church and mission in the US and UK. Brian is an international author, speaker and pastor associated with emergent and emerging church in the USA and around the world. Brian addressed the International Anglican Lambeth Conference in 2008. In this podcast, a wide range of issues are discussed including new monasticism, mission to spiritual seekers, and the challenge of church in the twenty first century.
In this podcast Lucas Mix, Chaplain to the University of Arizona and former Curate to the Church of the Apostles in Seattle, explores the parable of the Good Samaritan to explore the theme of what keeps us from crossing the road.
In this Podcast of the Eucharist at the Moot Community on 13th June 2010, Vanessa Elston explores the theme of Christ’s call for the conversion of head and heart. This homily is the second in the series exploring Moot’s proposal to develop its new monastic basis with some virtues, spiritual practices and postures.
Vanessa Elston is a member of the moot community, a teacher, a mother and a student of theology – who has substantial experience of being involved in the UK alternative worship and emerging church movements. Vanessa, as a member of the Lounge Project Team, is currently helping us to explore the possibility of piloting a formation approach to Christian practices drawing on the wisdom of the twelve step programme.
In this the final of four podcasts recorded at the Moot spiritual retreat in May 2010, Mark Berry explores the theme of the nature of God concerning participation and being sent. Drawing on Gospel texts, Mark explores how Christian communities are drawn into this same nature – of participation and being sent, so that the church is called also to be a missional community.
In the second of his four reflections, Mark Berry reflects on the importance of Perichoresis and its implications for being a participative spiritual community. Recorded on a spiritual retreat of the Moot Community On the weekend of 14th-16th May 2010. Mark Berry, Missioner and leader of the Safespace Community led the retreat. This is the 2nd of 3 recordings.
On the weekend of 14th-16th May 2010, the Moot community held a short spiritual retreat to explore the theme of participating in God. Mark Berry, Missioner and leader of the Safespace Community led the retreat. This is the 1st of 4 recordings. The handouts for the session will be uploaded shortly.
On the 5th Sunday of Easter 2010, Aaron Kennedy gave this homily exploring the emerging churches calling to promote forms of faith that reach beyond the ego. New monasticism constributes an ancient approach, using virtues, spiritual practices and postures.
In this weeks podcast, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of Christ's Resurrection alongside the calling for hope and risk-taking to replace fear. Shalom, the Jewish theologial understanding of God's outworking of love in and to the world, becomes the Kingdom of God, and the disciples are challenged to live out this love in the Kingdom, through the peace of God's Shalom in openness to the world. This is our challenge as emerging and fresh expressions of church, to catch up with what God is already doing.
For Sunday 2010, Ian shared some thoughts from the writings of Frederick Buechner and a Celtic blessing on Easter Sunday. So for all our supporters and Mooters working all over the world, we pray that you have a happy Easter. Christos Arresti, Christ is Risen.
On the 4th Sunday of Lent 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of passions and virtues, and the need for inner freedom. Reflecting on the parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days, Ian explores the call for people to face their innerselves, their thinking and their sense of inner health. Moot is beginning its exploration as a New Monastic Community, to explore the need for some explicit spiritual practices, virtues and postures to assist people to go deeper with the Community's Rhythm of Life.
If you neglect your inner self, then in extreme circumstances you will be held captive by your inner compulsions and addictions, which will feel like you are being controlled by an outer force preventing your autonomy. It will literally feel like you are being controlled by a demon. It is important that we face our need for inner freedom as well as outward liberation.
In late 2010, Ian Mobsby chatted with Brother Samuel, the leading Friar for the Anglican Franciscans in England. Brother Samuel is well known in UK New Monastic circles, because he has participated in a number New Monastic conferences and gatherings.
In this podcast, Brother Samuel shares his insights into the contribution of Franciscan Spirituality to the ongoing Christian tradition, as well as explore a particularly Franciscan reflection on New Monasticism.
Brother Samuel like Abbot Stuart are wise and very encouraging for those exploring new, emerging and fresh expressions of church. Ian found ther advice about engaging with spiritual seekers, particularly helpful. So take in the wisdom of this committed Franciscan Friar!
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
On February 3rd, Martin Newell who is a member of the Catholic Worker movement in the UK, and Trident Ploughshares, came to discuss the essence of community and his own personal story with the Moot Community. The choices Martin has made and his insights from his faith are rich and challenging. The catholic worker movement offers great wisdom concerning 'being counter cultural' to a world obsessed with the free market and competition. A disposition that always oppresses the poor and the vulnerable. This podcast includes the discussions between the moot community and Martin.
This is the second podcast from Martin, scroll down below to listen to the conversation between Martin and Ian Mobsby
At the Alt Eucharist Service of the Moot Community on the 14th February 2010, Clare Catford explores the whole issue of seeking God in the details of life. This importantly includes the difficulties of living, in our journeys of human becoming. We do not need to feel ashamed or hidden. We are all broken, and it is helpful to live out the struggles of our lives in community, where others can encourage us to be whole both emotionally and physically. Hiding your struggles and shame can become toxic, that prevent wellbeing and a healthy spirituality. God loves us, even in our brokenness.
Apologies for the slight interference in this recording. We have worked out why, and it won't happen in future recordings.
In the second of two events, Dave Tomlinson leads a Moot Wednesday evening gathering to discuss his new book Re-enchanting Christianity. Dave explored the idea of a 'second innocence' developed by a number theologians, to explore the reconstruction of a faith that can engage with the reality of the twenty first century. For more information on Dave's book, click here. Dave has been a major support to the Moot Community. We hope to develop greater links between St Lukes Church Holloway and the Moot Community.
People are no less spiritual today than they were in the past, but they are a lot less religious - at least, in a formal sense. A disconnect has ocurred between religion and spirituality: people no longer see religion or Church as the natural setting in which to explore or express their spiritual aspirations. So they are drifting away from churches in droves. However, they are not doing so because they no longer believe in God, or because they have no hunger or interest in the spiritual aspect of life, but because, in their experience of Church, they are neither finding a faith they can believe in, not an existential spirituality that can sustain their souls in an age of anxiety and estrangement.
In a previous podcast, Jonny Spoor of the Moot Community talked to Ian Mobsby about his experience of participating and living in the L'arche community in France. He went there for his summer holiday from studying. Here he lived in a house with Jean Vanier and loved and served in L'arche, possibly one of the most important new monastic inspired communities in the world. Jonny recently went back to interview Jean Vanier about his experiences, theology and thinking to write an article for the Student Christian Movement magazine, and whilst he was there, he recorded some of the wisdom of the conversation. So this podcast is more unusual than the ones we usually do, in that it pulls together Jean Vanier's thinking where you can't hear the questions Jonny has asked. It however, allows the listener to engage with the remarkable wisdom of this important visionary and activist. For those in the emerging church, fresh expressions and new monasticism, there is much here to aid us in our quest to build ecclesial communities out of contextual mission.
Following a recent number of requests, we publish a short film played at the Moot Rhythm of Life Service at St Paul's Cathedral on Easter Saturday 2009. The film uses the stories and hopes of a number of people involved in the Moot Community, as we await the birthing of our vision of starting an arts cafe lounge in central London as a place for radical mission and hospitality, and our longer term hope of launching an intentional community. The Moot Community recommits to its rhythm of life as a new monastic community before the Bishop of London in the season of Easter every year. This follows the ancient practice of christian priests, monastics and friars to recommit to their vows and for the whole people of God to recommit to their baptismal covenant.
In the Little Service of January 2010, at the end of a resource training day, Ian Mobsby and Elizabeth Mowbray explored the theme of breathing as prayer, with a view of the ecclesial community as a new monastic community. Life then becomes a pattern of breathing in God's blessing and breathing out loving service and action. This homily was inspired by the words of Andy Freeman, a founding member of the 24-7 Boiler Room New Monastic Communities.
Ian Mobsby discusses with Shane Claiborne, the vision of New Monasticism, and the practical implications of living this particular form of ecclesial community, and the calling to a radical lifestyle. Shane is one of the leading voices in a growing movement of New Monasticism in the United States.
His first book, The Irresistable Revolution is a key envisioning texts for all those interested or involved in New Monasticism. It has been a core text for many involved in New Monasticism in the UK and Europe. In this book Shane outlines his experiences of working as a volunteer in Calcutta in India, in a community overseen by Mother Teressa, and how this opened up a whole way of being Christian that up to that point, he had been unaware of. Shane is a founding Member of the Simple Way Community in Philedelphia, one of the early new-monastic communities.
Be prepared to be inspired! Lets keep up with Shane's visit to Iraq in January 2010, and hopefully we may even have him a long to a moot event in the not too distant future.
On this the third Sunday of Advent December 2009, Ian Mobsby explores the importance of God coming as an ordinary human being.
The problem with Christianity is that it forgets too easily Christ the human being, preferring God the superbeing.The reality of the Incarnation is that there is a lot more to God the Redeemer than the Holy Rescue Effort.God coming as a human being is the fulfilment of all creation, and an incredible gift of love to humanity.
As we approach advent,Ian Mobsby explores the context of God's presence in the midst of binge spending on presents.
Part of disappointment with this time of year, is that we sense within ourselves that merely exchanging presents with each other doesn’t really honour the birth of the incarnation of God.
In this podcast, Ian Mobsby interviews Fr Martin Newell, who is a member of the Catholic Worker movement in the UK, and Trident Ploughshares, which seek to challenge the use of weapons of mass destruction and the arms trade by protest and direct action. Martin is a Roman Catholic Priest, and has gone to prison for his involvement in this radical approach to the Christian life. In this interview Martin shares his thoughts about a radical approach to Christian discipleship focused on justice, resistance and a focus on the poor. The Catholic Worker movement has much in common with new monasticism in seeking to build a new society and the importance of community living out shared values through a rhythm of life. Most interesting, was Martin's thoughts of seeing Prison as a New Monastry as a consequnce of living out this form of discipleship. Martin and the Catholic Worker movement are a real inspiration and hope!
In the Moot Alt Eucharist on the 11th October 2009, Jemma Allen explores friendship as the sacramental outpouring of God's love. Jemma reflects on the key Gospel phrase 'I have called you friends...' with a God who identifies friendship with sinners and drunkards. So it is through friendship that God's purposes are outworked, transforming all things back into restored relationship with God. Therefore, friendship lies at the heart of the Christian life, that changes us and draws us into closer relationships with the divine. Loving our neighbours and our God. Friendship is the antedote to the structures of dominance and individualism that stand in opposition to the justice, peace and liberation that we proclaim when we confess a faith in Christ. Jemma is Chaplain at Waikato University and the Ex-ile Alternative Worship Community in Hamilton, North Island New Zealand.
Friendship is not some gimmick that we can market as a way of successfully living a Christian life. It is not even primarily about about an act of will or making friendships in a calculating way. Friendship as a spiritual practice, as the mark of a disciple, as a proclamation of the Good News of the Reign of God – this friendship is about entering into authentic relationships, relationships of vulnerability and trust, relationships of mutuality and care. In allowing ourselves to be affected by who we live with and how we live with them, by the gifts we receive in and from our friends, we open ourselves to being transformed by love and so enlarging the realm of God: the kinship and new community proclaimed by Christ. That, my friends, would be Good News!
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For Sunday 2010, Ian shared some thoughts from the writings of Frederick Buechner and a Celtic blessing on Easter Sunday. So for all our supporters and Mooters working all over the world, we pray that you have a happy Easter. Christos Arresti, Christ is Risen.
On the 4th Sunday of Lent 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of passions and virtues, and the need for inner freedom. Reflecting on the parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days, Ian explores the call for people to face their innerselves, their thinking and their sense of inner health. Moot is beginning its exploration as a New Monastic Community, to explore the need for some explicit spiritual practices, virtues and postures to assist people to go deeper with the Community's Rhythm of Life.
In late 2010, Ian Mobsby chatted with Brother Samuel, the leading Friar for the Anglican Franciscans in England. Brother Samuel is well known in UK New Monastic circles, because he has participated in a number New Monastic conferences and gatherings.
On February 3rd, Martin Newell who is a member of the 
At the Alt Eucharist Service of the Moot Community on the 14th February 2010, Clare Catford explores the whole issue of seeking God in the details of life. This importantly includes the difficulties of living, in our journeys of human becoming. We do not need to feel ashamed or hidden. We are all broken, and it is helpful to live out the struggles of our lives in community, where others can encourage us to be whole both emotionally and physically. Hiding your struggles and shame can become toxic, that prevent wellbeing and a healthy spirituality. God loves us, even in our brokenness.
In the second of two events, Dave Tomlinson leads a Moot Wednesday evening gathering to discuss his new book Re-enchanting Christianity. Dave explored the idea of a 'second innocence' developed by a number theologians, to explore the reconstruction of a faith that can engage with the reality of the twenty first century. For more information on Dave's book, click 
In the Little Service of January 2010, at the end of a 
Ian Mobsby discusses with Shane Claiborne, the vision of New Monasticism, and the practical implications of living this particular form of ecclesial community, and the calling to a radical lifestyle. Shane is one of the leading voices in a growing movement of New Monasticism in the United States.
On this the third Sunday of Advent December 2009, 
As we approach advent, 
In the Moot Alt Eucharist on the 11th October 2009,