lets talk community

Sometimes God interupts our well-meaning plans and replaces a good idea with an even better one. So instead of having another Nordic Family Gathering in the fall, we felt led to move the larger 24-7 Nordic Gathering to the spring, and instead have a smaller gathering focusing on communities this August. God has made some divine connections between people in the Nordic nations. As our histories are entertwined, so are our futures. However, going about this has been confusing. How do we build an international community when we, at best, only meet 2-3 times a year?

We believe that a strong Nordic community must stem from strong local communities. The international cannot support the local, but the local can support the international. What we want to explore during this gathering is the practicalities of living in local Christian communities. How do our rosy ideas meet the reality of dirty kitchens? Should a community be value based or rule based? How do we as a small community interact with local congregations? With our neighbours? What about shared economy? Do we have to live together or just live close together?

We believe that 24-7 communities are more than just a challenging thought. Rather, it is a way of life we believe is key to our spiritual growth and the Church as a whole, as well 24-7 prayer as a movement. Most important of all, we belive this is something God is interested in right now.

To facilitate this, we will gather in Gillingegården, a lovely place 30 minutes bus ride from central Stockholm. We do this because we figure it is silly to discuss community without living it out for a few days. This will include taking part of the daily cooking and cleaning that are essential to community life.

We ask that everyone attending read the book Punk Monk by Andy Freeman before attending the gathering. It can be bought from the 24-7 shop here. There are also a few copies floating around Finland and Sweden if you want to borrow from someone. We ask everyone to read it as it is a good book, is written from the perspective of the 24-7 movement and values and it raises some of the things we will be talking about. We feel it is important that we all start off on the same page to make good use of our time together.

Cost and accomodation: There are two living options. The gathering will cost 600 SEK for people who are staying in beds (only 30 bed places) and 350 SEK for people who want to sleep in tents. We will have a military tent with nine places. When those are full people will need to bring their own tents. The cost includes all food and fika. As usual, you are welcome to pay more so that we can cover the gathering costs for others. Ask us about fees for children. There are a few rooms with only two beds for couples/families. Payment is upon arrival.

Registration: Please let us know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend. E-mail info (at) tjugofyrasju.be with the following information:
Name
E-mail
Telephone
Address
Any allergies, food preferences or medical conditions we should be aware of.
Accomodation choice, bed or tent (and whether you are bringing a tent).

We hope that these discussion will be an instrument for bringing God's plans for the Nordic nations into being, and that dreams of communities will be birthed into the “real world”. If this is what lies on your heart, we are looking forward to see you in August.

//The 24-7 Nordic team