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
12 months ago

Water Birch Co-op. Urban living in central Denver.

Large, lovely house built in 1900, two blocks from Cheeseman Park in downtown Denver.  5000 square feet. The house was a Buddhist Meditation Center for 20 years before we got it and has lovely, calm vibes. We currently have ten people and have room for one more. We are an intentional community sharing dinners, 3 living rooms, 2 new kitchens and a kitchenette, & 5 baths. Staple food (organic) is bought together. The group is self-regulating as a co-op; it decides together how the house runs. There are chores ;-) Average cost per room is about $1000 ranging from $650 to $1354. Currently available room is $875. We are just finishing renovation of three bedrooms on the third floor  they are $875 each and share our largest, newest bath (shower and separate claw foot tub) and a brand new kitchenette  they all have beautiful windows and lots of light. PLEASE CHECK OUT COMMUNITY LISTINGS FOR MORE INFO. Initial lease for 3-6 months while we and you decide if we are a good fit for each other.  Deposit in the amount of one months rent is required prior to move in.  We do background checks on all members. Utilities are currently $130 per person per month and are all-inclusive.  They will change if costs go up, that amount is insufficient to cover utilities, or more people mean the cost per person goes down.  WiFi is via mesh network from gig-speed fiberoptic service.  Heat is with radiators.  Cooling is evaporative.  We have a storage room in a nearby commercial facility.  And a new large workshop in the garage. Shared food is $125 per month per person; it is a pass-through cost divided evenly among residents; it does NOT include meat or alternative protein nor any alcohol.  We will not be surprised if that needs to go up some soon ($10 or 15). We have two dogs and three cats in the house  that seems like a sufficient quantity of furry friends for now. Our community intentions include: Communication with compassion. Shared space and life. Shared meals. Shared staple foods which are non-GMO and Organic. Group decision making. Safe, inclusive space: queer and trans friendly, anti-racist, non-violent, and feminist. The purchase of the house by the co-op in about five years. The expansion of the co-op, possibly to include other housing types (like separate apartments). Weekly meetings and house committees to manage our community. We are considering implementing Sociocracy as an organizing method. Quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 8:00am. We are looking for community members who: Want to live in a community not just have a place to sleep and eat. Want to live in a beautiful, clean, and organized house and are willing to help make and keep it that way. Residents should expect to spend 16 hours per month towards this goal. Are curious, compassionate, flexible, and open to living with others who will undoubtedly have different ideas about many things. Are interested in pioneering a new co-op. There will be work involved to get there. Are responsible and communicative. Embrace enthusiastically that living in community requires introspection and personal growth. Are not joining the community as a way of running away from something.
Need
  • Communities with Openings
5 months ago

Join us in the mountains of Western North Carolina

Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Coweeta is located in a beautiful and diverse temperate rain forest. It feels very remote here yet we are just 12 miles from Franklin, NC. Winters can be mild. Coweeta is blessed with springs and a stream, pristine forests, and abundant wildlife. Power is provided by a hydro-electric system which is not connected to the grid. An organic garden and trout pond provide healthy food that is also shared with the local community. Hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities are just out the back door. Coweeta is looking for others who would like to join together to form an Intentional Community embracing the principles of Voluntary Simplicity. Simply put (no pun intended): We wish “to live simply so that others may simply live.” It is a recognition that nature provides us with valuable services and resources that we can use to enrich our lives. Utilizing local resources, appropriate technology, and working cooperatively, we can discover creative ways to meet our needs as “directly and simply as possible.”. An example of this, in the tradition of many Indigenous People”, is to gather, and use wildcrafted foods as part of our diet. There is great joy in going to nature’s grocery for our sustenance. Voluntary Simplicity is based on the recognition that “very little is needed to live well” and that “abundance is a state of mind.” Living lower on the economic ladder allows us more time and freedom to pursue other life goals: community and social engagement, family time, artistic or intellectual projects, more fulfilling employment, political participation, sustainable living, spiritual exploration, and more. According to the Voluntary Collective, “The grounding assumption of Voluntary Simplicity is that all human beings have the potential to live meaningful, free, happy and infinitely diverse lives while consuming no more than an equitable share of (the world’s) resources.” We affirm the need for a work/life balance, the right to a healthy environment and healthy food, and healthy community relationships supporting a diverse population. It is our responsibility as engineers of a new generation to make the changes that we want to see happen and pass this on to the next generations. We can’t wait for someone else to do this important work. Voluntary Simplicity is a quiet revolution that can change the world. As one person said, “we must be poets of our own lives and of a new generation.” We hope you will join us here at Coweeta or elsewhere on our journey to a healthier and more sustainable future! Temporary housing is available in a 27 foot trailer trailer with attached deck next to a creek while we build additional housing. Your basic living expenses (shelter, basic food items, power and water) are met through our market garden or other fundraising projects that you will participate in. You are expected to contribute a given amount of your time and energy to help grow our community and meet our financial obligations. Possible future plans include establishing a retreat center for healing our earth and each other. Work includes organic gardening, construction projects and other community building activities. Come join Coweeta and learn how to live lightly on the land and enjoy the Earth’s bounty! For more information, visit www.coweetaheritagecenter.com Contact [email protected] for a visit or more info.  Paul

Join our newsletter to stay up to date.

By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

Free Plan

Free plan
Free

Advertise in our Directory

  • Subtotal

    {{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}

Become a + Member

  • Send Direct Messages and see contact information
  • Find communities based on your profile tool
  • Post Needs & Offers Listings and Events
  • Access to resources in the Members Library /// like vetted documents uploaded by communites (e.g. bylaws )
  • Member badge on your profile
  • View communities detailed reviews
  • Create Private Groups