At a recent gathering at Lambeth Palace, Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury gave this address about exploring the role and place of religious communities in the Church of England. This podcast was recorded at a gathering to promote the work of the Anglican Religious Communities Charitable Trust set up to support new innovation of the religious life in mission and community in the Church of England and beyond.

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On the 19th July 2012 at the Moot Community of the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London and in front of a packed crowd, Charles Eisenstein explores the theme of developing a gift economy drawing on his writings and his most recent book, Sacred Economics. This is the first of two podcast recordings.

Sacred Economics traces the history of money from ancient gift economies to modern capitalism, revealing how the money system has contributed to alienation, competition, and scarcity, destroyed community, and necessitated endless growth. Today, these trends have reached their extreme – but in the wake of their collapse, we may find great opportunity to transition to a more connected, ecological, and sustainable way of being.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of the Moot Community or the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary. In a world facing significant threats and questions, Charles Eisenstein contributes his thinking into the public arena.

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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.

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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.

If you have any queries, please email info@moot.uk.net

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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On Sunday 15th March 2009, Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community joined a recorded discussion in Sydney exploring the above title on Australia's ABC National Radio. In the discussions, the group explored the importance of Emerging and Fresh Expressions of Church engagement with our increasingly post-christian post-secular culture.  For a link to the radio show click here

As usual, if you would like to comment on this podcast discussion, please do so on the Mootblog

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In this podcast, Clare Catford with the assistance of Aaron Kennedy interviews Richard Chartres the Bishop of London, exploring the theme of a Christian spirituality in the City.

In a time of global economic depression, Bishop Richard challenges the Church to practice a radical form of love and a practical form of spirituality. This podcast was recorded in the second week of Lent 2009, as part of the Moot Podcast Big Questions Series.

The Moot Community will soon stand before the Bishop of London on Easter Saturday, to affirm to its Rhythm of Life.

If you would like to comment on this or any other of the Moot podcasts, please do so on the moot blog site.

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In this Moot Community podcast, Aaron Kennedy chats with Dr. Sally Alsford, a lecturer in theology at the University of Greenwich, and graduate of London Bible College, and Durham University. Yoga, the nature of belief, the climate change crisis, evangelical Christianity and the election of Barack Obama are some of the topics that get covered.

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Tom Sine international author, researcher and speaker, led a homily and discussion in the Moot Evening Alt Compline service tonight. He explored the implications of the current global economic slowdown and its affects on the poor, and for those under 40 who are attempting to make their way in life.  In particular he explored the depressing realities around house ownership, and the issue of sustainability.  The housing model of the nucleur family is just not sustainable or possible anymore.  Increasingly Christians need to explore another way, or rather re-imagine community and intentional community as the outworking of reduced carbon foot print and the sharing of resources.  There’s a lot in here, so enjoy.  This is part one of two podcasts recorded this evening.

For information on the book, or to place an order, click here

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Tom Sine international author, researcher and speaker, led a homily and discussion in the Moot Evening Alt Compline service tonight. He explored the implications of the current global economic slowdown and its affects on the poor, and for those under 40 who are attempting to make their way in life.  In particular he explored the depressing realities around house ownership, and the issue of sustainability.  The housing model of the nucleur family is just not sustainable or possible anymore.  Increasingly Christians need to explore another way, or rather re-imagine community and intentional community as the outworking of reduced carbon foot print and the sharing of resources.  There's a lot in here, so enjoy.  This is part two of two podcasts recorded this evening.

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Today's Big Questions Interview explores the experiences of Jonny Spoor, in his time at the L'arche Community in Trosly-Breuil, an hour outside of Paris.  In an interview with Ian Mobsby, Jonny explores the spirituality that lies behind the work of L'arche, and how it has impacted his belief and life as a participant in two Emerging/Fresh Expressions of Church in London and York.  Jonny helps us to face some of the issues concerning being human in the 21st century.

L’Arche is based firmly on Christian roots. We try to help all our members to develop their own spiritual life. In a divided world, L'Arche aims to be a sign of hope and unity. We are Communities of faith in the Christian tradition. We welcome people of all faiths or none. Whatever people believe about God we welcome and respect them. People in our Communities come from different cultures, countries, religious groups and faiths. Everyone is encouraged to deepen their faith, following their own traditions. Some L’Arche members belong to particular churches. We encourage them to attend their local places of worship. Each Community invites people come together to pray and celebrate if they wish. Local priests and ministers often help us to shape and guide our worship. Members with learning disabilities sometimes have special needs when it comes to worship. We try to help them feel fully involved and experience God for themselves. Some of them may not easily understand words. We use music, gesture and mime in prayers and services.

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In a new form of podcasting at Moot, Aaron Kennedy leads a new programme of interviews with a number of interesting and influential people involved at the interface between spirituality, politics, religion and contemporary culture. The first of these interviews kicks off with Ian Mobsby author, pastor and ordained priest, to explore why the Trinity is becoming an important basis for new forms of church seeking new/ancient forms of worship, mission and community in the 21st century.

For more information on the book, or to order a copy internationally please do click here. This interview explores how God modelled in Trinitarian persons inspires us to be an authentic Christian Spiritual community of persons, seeking to dig deep in culture that usually lives at the surface of things. All proceeds from book sales are ploughed back into the work of the Moot Community. Watch for Aaron's next interview.

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