During my visit at Seolta I had two nice, long conversations; the first was with the assistant's coordinator, and the second was with the house coordinator. Both of these conversations were extraordinarily informative, and I am grateful for the time they took out of their day to sit and talk with me. This community is different from others that I have visited because there is no true workshop, although there are plans for this to happen. Many of their core members attend courses and groups within the community. Behind their house are two small cabins. One is used for different arts and/or craft projects, and the other is for music. Also, there is a garden area called Green Fingers, which provides the opportunity for lots of community interaction. Several different groups come to the garden to work with the core members in the upkeep of the garden, including a group of retired adults, as well as school children.
While talking with the house coordinator, he mentioned the concept of mutually transformative relationships, and this idea struck a chord with me. This is a concept that lies at the center of all L'Arche communities. Most volunteers or companions are asked to commit to at least a year in the community. During this year the hope is that they will bring their own gifts and talents to share with the community, but that they too will be influenced and impacted by the relationships that they have with the core members. There is often a defining moment when volunteers recognize and accept their weaknesses and flaws, and realize that they still have worth and value, not despite these characteristics, but because of them. Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche and current Nobel Peace Prize nominee, speaks of this in many of his writings. As a man who came from leadership roles in a military background, he talks of the trials and benefits involved in moving away from the typical concepts of working or moving your way "up the ladder," and living within your own weakness. On the volunteer's side of things, gaining perspective on this concept can come from their time within a community.
Jean Vanier |
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