News and Events
September 2006
Episcopal Christian Communites in Celebration
Five of the member communities of the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities gathered for the annual meeting at the Community of Celebration in Aliquippa Pennsylvania this September. Among other actions taken, the leadership suggested the creation of a blog on which issues concerning the growth and development of various forms of Christian community might be addressed. In-common is the result of that effort. The blog will provide each of the communities with access to post news of interest and concern to the wider church, and opportunity for anyone to comment and respond.
In addition to representatives from the hosting Community of Celebration, the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory (BSG), the Community of the Paraclete, the Rivendell Community, The Little Sisters of Saint Clare, and the Third Order Society of Saint Francis, the gathering welcomed Fr Gregory OJN as a guest representative from the Conference of Anglican Religious Orders of the Americas (CAROA). His presence was in response to a reciprocal invitation from CAROA whose meeting the NÆCC Convenor attended this summer past.
The gathering enjoyed its time of worship and fellowship with the Community of Celebration, and took time to visit a joint project with the Church Army: Uncommon Grounds Cafe, on Aliquippa's main thoroughfare. It was a great joy to all to share in the life of this vibrant Christian community. Among other actions, the assembly elected Tobias Stanislas Haller BSG as Chair, Masud I Syedullah TSSF as Vice-Chair, Carle Griffin OCP as Recorder, and Bill Farra SCC as Treasurer. NÆCC welcomes comments and inquiries at its blog, and hopes to expand it as a place to share resources and ideas.
May 2005
Episcopal Christian Communities
Find Common Ground in Revived Association
Representatives of eight Christian Communities met in New York City in May to map out the future of their national association. Chaired by the Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF, Minister Provincial of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, the meeting revived the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities (NÆCC), which is made up of religious communities canonically recognized by the House of Bishops.
“We represent a form of religious life in the Episcopal Church which requires members to follow a rule of life under the supervision of a bishop,” Fr. Syedullah explained. “While some of us practice a lifestyle similar to that of monastics, most follow our rule while supporting ourselves and living in our own homes.”
In the year to come, NÆCC plans a campaign to increase the visibility of its members, including a brochure and a website. The association also began an effort to explore revision of the Church canons to clarify that members of churches in full communion with the Episcopal Church, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, are eligible for membership.
The Rev. Br. Tobias Stanislas Haller of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory was elected as Chair, with three other officers: Vice-chair, Cathy Cox Rivendell Community; Treasurer, Bill Farra, Community of Celebration; and Recorder, Br. Carle Griffin, Community of the Paraclete.
“We have a lot to offer Episcopalians who seek religious life,” Br. Tobias Stanislas said. “We spent our first evening together telling about our communities and the many ministries of our brothers and sisters. I expect future meetings to be hosted by members in every region of the U.S. We also committed ourselves to offer support to fledgling communities and to active participation with the House of Bishops Standing Committee on Religious Communities.” Br Tobias Stanislas, as Chair, will serve as the NÆCC representative to this body.
Present at the meeting were:
- Brotherhood of Saint Gregory (BSG): Br. Richard Thomas Biernacki, Br. James Teets, Br. Tobias Stanislas Haller, Br. William Francis Jones
- Sisterhood of Saint Gregory (SSG): Sr. Elizabeth Mary Burke
- Third Order, Society of Saint Francis (TSSF): The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah.
- The Community of Celebration: Bill Farra, Mary McKeown
- The Little Sisters of Saint Clare (LSSC): Sr. Mary Agnes Staples
- Community of the Paraclete (OCP): Br. Carle Griffin
- Rivendell Community: Cathy Cox
- Companions of Saint Luke - Benedictine (CSLB): Abbot Michael-John Austin