Grace Life Community Association

  • Community
  • 2 followers

About the Community

  • Forming
  • Urban

What we do

I have been a Truth seeker since 2000. I have base-camped in religion at times (that was a mistake). I have “climbed” to platitudes like trying to self-funded non-profit, capitalizing on hot trends like tiny houses, and often, asking other people for support. I have also been disillusioned that I had “arrived” even if in my own mind, thought of jumping off the proverbial cliff, and then, at the end of 2022, … I crashed.

May I share a few insights as we begin a new year?

(1) It is not strictly about one’s ability to “get free”, but to bring it and share it with others, AND
(2) We do not need to create or construct anything, but to deconstruct what we think we know and abide in THAT freedom!

So, we need COMMUNITY, and we need an ETHOS and PATHOS for getting (and staying) FREE.

I have written a couple of books on this, and I am writing another this year.

This is not going to be for everyone.

We ARE an association of small communities who genuinely GIVE and RECEIVE from others.
We ARE lifelong learners/seekers who desire to be MOVED and to be SHAKEN by Truth, and it’s quest.
We ARE committed to Others, regardless of one’s journey.
We EXIST to GROW spiritually in real-time UNION with the Spirit of God, or as some say, “The Divine Conversation”.
Lastly, We DECONSTRUCT everything.

What is SACRED?

Is it the best-selling book of all time, “The Bible”?

I am former grad student at Chicago Theological Seminary. A man or woman in circa 8th century BCE (the “Yahwist”) wrote about 10% of the “Old Testament”. Yes, there are errors, and later edits… but it’s authentic. The rest? Problems, … major problems. And, in the “New Testament”, one “gospel”, two ancient sources called “kTh” and “Q”, and 7 of the 13 letters of Paul, are authentic. The rest is garbage. And, since “church” is based on that, … well, decide for yourself.

Is it “America” or Capitalism?

This late-19th century CE innovation is known to benefit the few and to provide increasingly less material support for families. The current cost of living (shelter and food) is USD$2,340.00 per person, or approximately USD$18.00 (pre-tax) an hour (40-hour/wk)–just to shelter and eat! How is that working for you? What about your family and friends?

Is it Higher Learning or Academia?

The current generation is re-evaluating that very question on a cost/benefit basis. The answers are starting to come back, “no”. They are learning online and in peer groups. Plus, intelligent minds are being cancelled, not debated, in the current discourse.

Is it Humankind?

More and more humans are anxiously and nervously hiding behind texts, emails, social media, dating sites, and shared virtual realities. But that may be because they are hiding behind traumas, untreated mental and physical health, and spiritual/emotional insecurity. And why is that? You are either a trending SENSATION, … or you do not exist. There is no appreciation or valuation for individual artisan/craft.

Is it your Body?

Surely THIS must be sacred! Yet our inputs are unhealthy, unsustainable, and contributing to the daily death of our mind, body, and soul. We are made of tightly bound atoms working together through electrical impulses. We do not choose our birth or our death (usually). And the life that eventually passes is presumed to be lacking form or matter.

So… what CAN we do?

(1) Learn our soul’s safe transport into the next existence, AND
(2) Learn and play by the “rules” of infinity.

We ARE on this path.

We MEET in Grand Rapids, weekly.

We INVITE YOU to bring your authentic self (your baggage, your gifts, your miracles, and the miracles you haven’t yet experienced).

We invite future HOSTS to facilitate our safe, smoke-free, pet-free (or penned), grace life communities.

Let’s BUILD each other.

Let’s do it NOW. (Beginning mid-February 2023)

Our Vision

Developing affinity groups in small groups facilitating spiritual growth in community. Building an association of these small groups to develop more intimate shelter/food/sustainability arrangements by 2024.

Our Mission

Developing affinity groups in small groups facilitating spiritual growth in community. Building an association of these small groups to develop more intimate shelter/food/sustainability arrangements by 2024.

  • Community type
  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

Gallery

  • 2 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
2

How to join

We are developing a non-profit business model interface within which new prospective members may start their own communities in affiliation with our own. Membership per individual community is capped at twelve adults.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

We are currently organizing weekly affinity group meetings in Grand Rapids, Michigan beginning in mid-February 2023. Please feel free to contact me for information, or simply attend at a scheduled event.

You can also register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grace-life-community-grand-rapids-spiritual-growth-small-group-tickets-504205762007

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Economic model

  • Partial Income-Sharing

Members contribute a percentage of income to community funds.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a labor obligation

Additional economic information

Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes
The small group community goal is to contribute one’s individual artisan/craft gifts for the benefit of the community, and likewise for the community to benefit its members. We expect to have a wide array of individual economic journeys present within community. The essential element is one’s ability to authentically give and receive from community.

Frequency of communal meals

  • Rarely

Substance use culture

  • Substance use is frequent and public in the community

Reviews

Location

  • Michigan, United States

Grace Life Community Association

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Oak Park Commons Cohousing – Plan to Move in Fall 2025

Illinois’ first cohousing community fosters intergenerational connection, diversity, and inclusiveness. We welcome all those who share our vision of creating a sustainable residential community in a vibrant urban suburb. Oak Park Commons Cohousing seeks new members. Join the dozen households that have already helped plan and design a five story, 24-unit building near the commercial heart of Oak Park, Illinois. The building includes a mix of one, two, and three, bedroom ADA accessible units. A package friendly first floor mailroom adjoins the lobby, elevator, and parking entrances. Noise mitigation and energy efficient air conditioning assure year-round comfort. The Carpenter & Madison streets corner location includes within a pedestrian friendly half mile radius: a middle school, bus stop, grocery co-op, drug store, bank, CTA train station, Unity Temple, Rush Hospital, Fox Park, Mills Park, and many restaurants. Madison has traffic calming and bike lanes. The Village commercial center, barely a mile away offers the Lake Theatre Cinema, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Formula Fitness Center, Public Library, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, and specialty retail and service shops. Oak Park includes excellent K-12 schools. Lincoln public elementary school offers an optional Spanish bilingual program, Gwendolyn Brooks middle school’s wonderful performing arts opportunities and OPRF high school’s great college and career prep. Eight two and three bedroom units are still available for purchase starting at $406,640. Buyers pay a five percent earnest fee when signing a purchase agreement that goes toward down payment at closing. Units available for occupancy starting the last week of October 2025. Visit our website and talk with some of our members to learn more about who we are and how we envision building our community together.   Website: https://oakparkcommons.com/ Contacts: Charles Hoch 708-721-8817; Susan Stall 708-772-8817
Offer
Need
11 months ago

Travel to visit intentional communities with Ecovillage Tours ✈️

Ready to actually visit some communities? Take the next step on your journey towards intentional community living. Join an Ecovillage Tour! ✓ All-inclusive guided trips ✓ Visit a variety of communities, cohousings & ecovillages ✓ Meet community founders & residents ✓ Learn group governance, permaculture, eco-living & more ✓ Make lifelong friends within your traveling group ✓ Transformative adventure awaits! About Ecovillage Tours The only transformative travel experience that brings you to regenerative intentional communities. Find your next home, get guidance on how to start a community, or simply have a values-aligned vacation. www.ecovillagetours.com Upcoming Trips  Vermont | Jul 19–26, 2025   Italy | Sept 30–Oct 9, 2025   Hawaii | Jan 4–11, 2026   India | Feb 26–Mar 12, 2026  Bali | Jan 26–Feb 4, 2026  Costa Rica: Central | Jan 17–24, 2026 Southern | Feb 4–15, 2026 Caribbean | Mar 21–30, 2026 Guanacaste | April 12–21, 2026 See all the pricing, lodging, and itinerary information on the webpage for each tour. Or explore them all at www.ecovillagetours.com/upcoming-tours. Spots on trips are limited and fill up quickly. Book your spot today!   Questions? Email us at [email protected] Call us at +1 (734) 245-8745 Or schedule a 30-min Discovery Call with our team.   We look forward to hearing from you! Excited to journey together soon, —Cynthia Ecovillage Tours, Founder Hear what many past tour participants have to say about their experience:   “For anyone thinking of joining or starting an intentional community, or an ecovillage, this is an absolute must.” — Adam Bates, tour participant       “I had an amazing time on the tour!  It gave me an opportunity to experience things that I could have never done on my own.” — Lobsterbird, tour participant       “It is an experience worth paying for. You get to know places and people who are on the real hands on effort for bringing change and make local ecosystems more resilient.” — Eduardo Bryce, tour participant

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