On the Third Sunday of Epiphany on a particularly snowy day in the City of London, Vanessa Elston explores the Lectionary texts of Isaiah 62.1-5, Psalm 36.5-10, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 and John 2.1-11 and their implication in the Judeo-Christian tradition of the way of love. This homily was given at a Moot Eucharist Service at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary on Sunday 20th January 2013.

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On the 27th November 2012, the Moot Community of the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary launched the Host Cafe to a gathering of supporters, city workers, clergy and journalists. Amongst the festivities, Peter Owen Jones gave a short address on the theme of 'Caffeine for the Soul'. Peter is a well known BBC TV Presenter exploring the interface of religion, spirituality and contemporary culture.

The act of living is so much bigger in every dimension than we have realised. Living as a soul is about living a radical alternative life of gift, which means you feel the effects of yourself on others, and love is the greater of that experience of being. You can only communicate life by being love. The healing from status, the poverty of wealth, the loneliness of luxury, the impermenance of our physicality, but it is earthed in giving, and it is earthed in being.

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In this podcast, Ian Mobsby addresses a gathering in Lambeth Palace before the Archbishop of Canterbury and invited guests from traditional and new communities to explore his experiences in forming the Moot Community. 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.  Without the generous support of this trust, the Diocese of London and the Trust for London, the Moot Community would not have been formed or sustained in the start-up phase of its life. mobile podcasts | moot podcast archive | subscribe to podcasts in itunes | subscribing to podcasts through RSS feed | other podcast subscribing | podcast player for your site

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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 second 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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On Sunday 21st October 2012, Johnny Sertin spoke to the Moot Community at the Sunday evening service at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary. In a homily, Johnny explores the theme of the challenge of real Christian discipleship. Johnny is one of the founders of the New Monastic and missional community called the Earlsfield Friary, and is currently training to become a Pioneer Minister through the Church Mission Society and Cuddeston Theological College in Oxford.

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In this presentation, Ian Mobsby explores a central theme of his new book 'God Unknown: The Trinity in contemporary Spirituality and Mission'. The Holy Trinity is the central reality and concept that makes Christianity a distinct faith and not a jewish cult. As such God is a missionary God that challenges the Church and all Christians to participate in this mission and ministry of reconciliation, as God seeks to restore all things into renewed relationship with the divine. In our increasingly post-secular context where people are more interested in spirituality than religion, it is the reality of the Trinity that gives us hope and opens up the spiritual landscape of the faith to those who are un-or-dechurched.

To download slides associated with the address in Manchester and London click here

To see or order the book in the UK see here

To see or order the book in the USA see here

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This Moot podcast includes a homily and then space to respond with a time of music. In this podcast Michael Radcliffe explores the theme of following Jesus in the complexity of our contemporary world. Drawing on the lectionary readings of Ephesians 1.3-14 and Mark 6.14-29, Mike explores how our baggage becomes a barrier to experiencing God and in particular Jesus which requires us to reach beyond are self-obsessions and self-preoccupations. Michael L Radcliffe is one of the founding participants of the Moot Community, an artist who also works as a plumber. To see some of Michael’s art please see artbizness.com

This podcast was recorded in the Eucharist Service on the 15th July 2012 at the home of the Moot Community at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary. Music was performed by Peter Thomas and Ciara Lowther.

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On Pentecost Sunday 2012, Bp Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, led the Moot recommitment service to the Community's Rhythm of Life. In the homily, Bp Richard explores the themes of the renewal in mission and healing of the Holy Spirit. In particular he explores the life and vision of Dorothy Kerin who founded the Burrswood Community and its focus on wellbeing and healing.

This homily was re-recorded after the Rhythm of Life Service by an alternative voice from the written homily of Bp Richard, at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary, the Home of the Moot Community. Permission was sought and given for this recording.

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In this podcast recorded at the Moot Eucharist on the Sunday before Lent 2012, Ian Mobsby explores the theological and cosmological impllications of Shalom in the Hebrew Bible and the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. The writings of Isaiah become the founding vision of Jesus as he launched his mission in the Syngague of Nazareth. In so doing, Jesus births Christianity as an expression of the Hebrew hope of the restoration of all things into right relationship with the divine.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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/

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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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In this podcast Ian Mobsby interviews Abbot Stuart Burns OSB, of the Burford Anglican Benedictine Community,     to explore the significance of New Monasticism and Emerging/Fresh Expressions of church.  Abbot Stuart was wise and insightful, and a joy to interview, and shares his hopes about how New Monasticism may enrich the church as it seeks to recontextualise into our current post-secular culture of the spiritual seeker.

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In this podcast, Ian Mobsby explores the implications of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 and John 14: 15-21.  As Moot is part of the emerging and fresh expressions of church movements, it is founded on the vision of building ecclesial communities out of contextual mission.  It is within this vision of being a follower of Christ and seeking to be part of a radical community, that we need to consider the issues of personal identity and issues of taboo.  In the Ecclesiastes text, we are challenged by the need of an identity centred on God, where our lives are often hard and relatively short.  The second text again returns to the idea of building ecclesial communities out of contextual mission, where the mission in question was to a hated people, the Samaritans, and a hated woman who was possibly a prostitute.  Jesus in this text breaks many religious and social taboos by even talking to the woman at the well and to the local people.  So this text allows us to see on the one hand the importance of a faith and our identity to be in God in an I-God relationship, but further, we are called to challenge those who put obsticles in the way of people knowing God, particularly where social taboos are concerned.  So this text has much to say to the modern church, and the importance of God's love mission to the world.

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In the Alt Eucharist Service on Sunday 14th June, Ian Mobsby explored the theme of the abundance of the Kingdom of God and the scarcity of this world. This followed a very moving service last week where the community supported a couple recovering from a failed pregnancy. This podcast explored how Christians can go deeper in the faith which is a call to powerlessness, pain and struggle alongside the desire for peace and love.

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May 2009 saw the launch of the new book, Ancient Faith Future Mission: fresh expressions in the sacramental tradition [Link in Uk] [Link in USA]. At the London book launch, Stephen Cottrell the Anglican Bishop of Reading, and Richard Giles the former Dean of Philidelphia Cathedral both gave short addresses on the issue of fresh expressions and mission in the catholic tradition.  This was followed by a panel discussion with practitioners Michael Volland (Gloucester Cathedral), Sue Wallace (Visions York), Tessa Holland (Contemplative Fire Chichester), Philip Roderick (Contemplative Fire Oxford), Carl Turner (Precentor Exeter Cathedral), Simon Rundell (Blessed Gosport), Ian Mobsby (Moot London).

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On Holy Saturday April 11th 2009, the Moot Community led by Bishop Richard, the Bishop of London, recommited to the community's Rhythm of Life in the Faith Chapel in the Crypt of St Paul's Cathedral.  In this homily Bishop Richard explores the issue of being Church in the 21st Century in uncertain times.

We will soon be putting information on this Rhythm of Life Service on the Mootblog with a film and images.

To see more information on Moot's Rhythm, see the link on the right hand tool bar on the Mootblog.

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Clare Catford, broadcaster, writer and member of the moot community, explores the theme of balance in the Moot Alt Eucharist on Sun 15th March 2009 on the third sunday in the season of Lent.  Clare explores the theme in the context of her own life experience, particularly the challenge of facing and living with depression.

The Moot Rhythm of Life Specifices Balance as:

We aspire to live with integrity in the City, striving as a community for balance between work, rest and play.  We wish to develop healthy spiritual disciplines such as daily prayer, meditation and contemplation, drawing on the ancient Christian paths.  We want to live within our means, living sustainable lives. We desire to not be simply consumers, but people committed to giving and receiving in all of life.

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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 podcast of Moot's Little Service in February 2009, Ian Mobsby explores why accountability is so important in the areas of justice, love and spirituality. In the service, people explored their perceived accountability to God, to themselves, and to others.

At this time, the Moot Community is exploring its 'new monastic' elements of its Rhythm of Life, to dig deep, in preparation for the community to recommit to these vows on Easter Saturday 2009, in the Crypt of London's St Paul's Cathedral.

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Doerthe Rosenow, a member of the Moot Community explores the importance of Hospitality in new forms of church. She challenges the default position of consumption - a cultural norm, and the call for Christians to be counter cultural in seeking to get beyond individualism and me-isms. She draws on Moot's Rhythm of Life Section on Hospitality:

hospitality We wish to welcome all who we come across, when we are gathered and when we are dispersed, extending Christ’s gracious invitation to relationship, meaning and life in all its fullness through our deeds, words and thoughts.

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This year more than ever, the times don't seem to fit with the traditional pattern of Christmas. Yet into this complex season, Christmas does enter once the schools have broken up, the office parties have ended, and work slows we are left with this uncomfortable pause when we remember that we are human. This reflection seeks to reflect on the significance of the birth of God in human form for us today.

‘Look, Mary shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’

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In this alternative eucharist on the third sunday of advent, Ian Mobsby and the moot community explore the example of mary regarding discipleship, call waiting, the expectation of the Incarnation and the birthing of the Kingdom of God. The podcast begins with a reflection on the Song of Mary recorded in the Gospel of Luke:

My soul proclaims to the greatness of the Lord My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour For he has brought favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, The Almighty has done great things, and Holy is God's name.

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Ian Mobsby explores this months theme of the Moot Community, exploring why the Christian tradition venerates Saints. Rather than these people being towering figures of strength, many were pretty ordinary people striving for faith and spirituality in a somewhat difficult world.  What is it about these ordinary but complex radicals and mystics that makes them saints? And what can they teach us about strength from our weaknesses? How do our wounds become the basis for hope, love and action?

2 Corinthians 4 For it is God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ... But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

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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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On the event of the first adult baptism in the Moot Community, Dorethe Rosenow gave a homily in our alt. eucharist service exploring the issue of baptism, being community drawing on the Trinity, faith, original blessing and nurting nature.  Dorethe draws on the experience of her family to explore these important issues.

In baptism it is God who names us in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Companion.  It is God who initiates the relationship as a sign of original blessing, but where we as adults can make a choice whether to live in this gift.

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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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Ian Mobsby, at Grace Cathedral San Francisco addresses the Contemplative Eucharist congregration on his US & Canadian Tour promoting the book the becoming of G-d. Ian explores Matthew 10:24-39, to re-explore the radicalness of the Christian faith and why it was such a threat to the Roman Empire in the early church period. Ian then explores the implications of this for being contemporary ordinary Christian radicals and the vision of the emerging/fresh expressions of church.  This homily was part of an alternative congregation at Grace Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of California (Bay Area).

As God expresses identity in the Trinity, the Becoming of G-d, so we are called to follow God and find identity in being Christian Community, where we become Human Becomings as the visible body of Christ.  If we live there, then we can catch up with what God is doing to bring hope, justice and belonging to the world.

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Ian Mobsby, one of the founding members of Moot, explores the issue of risk, 'the body of Christ', God the Holy Spirit, or more metaphorically God the Sustainer & Challenger. This God unsettles things, stirred things up, encouraged people to move on, to attempt to catch up with what God the Trinity was doing.  In this homily Ian quotes the words of Metropolitan Anthony of the Russian Orthodox Church in his book "The Living Body of Christ"

The Church is not just the Eucharistic community, but is an extension of the incarnation; it encompasses all matter, all creation, all of humanity where the Holy Spirit is at work... There is a difference between tradition and traditionalism, as the outworking of the Holy Spirit through risk since Pentecost.  Tradition is life-giving where traditionalism fossilises and kills.  Many churches steeped in traditionalism have become liturgical ghettos.  The true nature of the Church since Pentecost, is to be outward-looking, open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and willing to take risks: it should be a missionary community.  A Community of Servants full of love".

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Gareth Powell gave this homily at the Moot Communities alternative Eucharist on Pentecost Sunday on 11th May 2008.  Gareth was formally part of the leading group of the Moot Community, and now completing a PhD as part of training to be an Ordained Pioneer Priest in the Church of England, through Westcott House, Cambridge.  In this homily, Gareth explores a biblical perspective concerning work, and then reflects on the more unhealthier sides of attitudes to work in contemporary culture.  Making reference to Moot's Rhythm of Life, Gareth explores the concept of work when answering the question "How should we live?".  Gareth & his wife Phillipa continue to follow the Moot Rhythm in their new home of Cambridge.

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Ian Mobsby, one of the founders of the moot community explores the need for hope as the foundation of faith to live in the complex world of today. In this way, with a basis in the love of God, we can be a community of hope reflecting the vision of the Church gathered in a City in Revelation 22:

In the City of God there will be no more night. Just the glory of the risen One. He will write his name on our foreheads, and we will worship him forever. And it won't be much longer now.

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Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community, explores the farewell discourse of Christ to the Disciples as recorded in John 14:1-14. In particular Ian explores the tension of the most inclusive statement in the New Testament "In the Father's House there are many mansions or rooms" with the end statement from Jesus "No one comes to the Father except through me". The truth of Christ, lies somewhere between these two statements, and was a gift not only to the early Church, but to all Christians in all time.

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Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community, reflects on the connection between spiritual hunger and knowing God as part of a Lent Spirituality Course through the Moot 'Beyond the Wilderness' event in the SW1 Art Gallery in London.

There is a profound link between a spiritual thirst, prayer and encountering Christ today.

Mother Teresa put it well when after four hours at prayer, she said to a gathering of people:

"Jesus wants me to tell you again ... how much is the love He has for each one of you--beyond all what you can imagine. Not only He loves you, even more--He longs for you. He misses you when you don't come close. He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don't feel worthy. Why does Jesus say 'I thirst'? What does it mean? Something so hard to explain in words-- ... 'I thirst' is something much deeper than just Jesus saying 'I love you.' Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you--you can't begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who he wants you to be for him."

This is the profound mystery about the nature of contemplative forms of prayer. That through the Holy Spirit, and the power of our imagination, we too can encounter Christ - today.

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Ian Mobsby led the reflection in Lent 2 looking at the issue of risk and and love in the context of contemporary culture. We reflected on a quote from Jean Vanier.

To the poverty of our human minds the possibility of a destiny conceived by God, and freedom, seem contradictory. Yet it is not so. For the wisdom of God and God’s respect for each person is so great, that a destiny of ultimate fulfilment, and individual freedom, are gently married, and the glory of God and of creation flows from this union. God has the secret of loving us to freedom, inviting us to share in the creativity of love. Because so many of us have experienced a love coming from parents – or others – that is stifling or crippling or possessive, it is difficult to believe we are loved by a love that brings us to freedom, and that God’s plan goes far beyond the wonder and beauty of the creation we know … Yes the deepest song of everything in creation reflects the unity of the Trinity: three persons poured out in love for one another.

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