A NEW monastic community has been launched in London, with 18 people making seasonal vows before the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun.
The Wellspring Community is the second new monastic community to be formed in the diocese in the past few months, and members of the first — St Margaret the Queen, in Streatham — were there to welcome the new members.
The Wellspring Community is formed out of St Luke’s, Peckham, which is led by the Revd Ian Mobsby, who is the mission enabler for the Woolwich area. He was previously one of the founder members of the Moot community in central London. Both Moot and the new communities commit to be relevant to modern culture and find God in everyday life.
DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARKPresentation: the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun welcomes a member of the Wellspring Community at its launch in St Luke’s, Peckham, on 21 MayInspired by Franciscan, Ignatian, and Benedictine spirituality, there are four stages of participation in the new monastic community: from associate member, to aspirant, to participant and professed.
Of the 18 founder members of Wellspring, 12 were professed, making a commitment to the seasonal (one-year-long) vows, and participating in a weekly rhythm of prayer, community, and service.
The other six members vowed to be participants — those who are committed to Christ but unable to commit to the seasonal vows owing to pressures of work or other issues.
Bishop Chessun, said: “It was a great joy to receive the vows of the founder members of the Wellspring Community. . . This the second new monastic community to be launched in the diocese in recent months, a sign that the Holy Spirit is moving among us in breathing new life into exciting fresh expressions of church.”
Members are also committed to community action and supporting the people of Peckham.