Churches That Are Eco-communities

Spain's Costa Blanca was beautiful except for mosquitos at night. My sister Sally and I rented an air B&B along the road from the Irish family of our nephew Peter. We celebrated the birthdays of mother Fiona and daughter Cara. Friends from the European Union School where she teaches and which the children attend came to a half day celebration at the tavern where Peter is currently a chef.

My holiday book browse was not light reading but it brought much light. It was a reprint of the fifth edition of 'Ireland's Ancient Schools and Scholars' by John Healey. This tells how, as the Roman empire collapsed,  monastic founders in Ireland such as Enda at Aran and Finnian at Clonard established communities of outstanding head/heart/hands learning and daily prayer, and which procured their own food and necessities.  They sent out the 'twelve apostles of Ireland' who multiplied such communities.

Now that the world is run by a few feudal financiers who undermine democracy and local well-being, and robots threaten to undermine community, we need churches which are communities of communities, some which promote holistic education, and  Christians who will set up sustainable eco-communities. When there are trade wars and global infrastructure breaks down we need communities that are self-sufficient and sustain local bonds.  

Peter is trained in permaculture.  He told us of his  vision for this. He informed  us  that two acres could feed 200 people with vegetables for a year. Chickens and five pigs each year could provide the meat. They could plant forests for building and use hemp for clothing.  You could still trade in kind or by local coinage.

Watch this space and tell me about experiments you know of.