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

Dreaming and living it out

Our last meeting in Stockholm in the beginning of May was good and very simple actually: eating together, meeting people and sharing stories about our awesome God- the basic stuff. I think that often the simple things are the most beautiful: part of God’s family just gathered together without much planning or fuss about arrangements. Again we had so much to share about what God is doing that time ran out once again. I think getting excited about God and meeting people is just the prayer we need in the Nordic family of God.

It was also nice to live in Sollentuna kollektiv and be part of their community life during that time. Many almost forgotten dreams about communities in Finland were stirred up again as I watched these very different people living together. Where had my dreams about communities disappeared to? I think it was somewhere between the thought of what is reasonable and the thought of giving up because nothing seemed to happen. I was reminded that God hasn’t given up and is still dreaming about communities although I had forgotten it. Jesus gave us a model of sharing lives with each other. Let’s keep it simple and let’s keep on dreaming and living it out. Simple is beautiful.

-Katri

teenagers praying in a 24-7 prayer room in Bergen

Check out this post on the 24-7 prayer blog for news from Norway!

a game for the stockholm underground

during our gathering in stockholm a few weeks ago we didn't only meet, hang out, all live at sollentunakollektivet, write on their wall, pray for the jesus manifestation and plan a bit for the future while sipping smoothies in the sun, we also played the game 'touch the swede'. i thought i'd share the video that inspired us with the wider nordic family.

Touch the Swede


as for who won it was a tie between vilja and laura, our champions of the day!

24-7 Micro: A Nordic gathering 1 May 2009

Because the Jesus Manifestation is taking place May 2nd, quite a few friends of 24-7 Prayer happen to be in the Stockholm area. We will certainly not let this opportunity to gather pass us by!

Thus, there will be a smaller gathering open for all who wish to join. The plan is basic: we share a meal together, spend some time to blow life into old friendships, take a while to exchange stories and spend the remainder of the evening praying and listening to God. We will certainly pray that the manifestation will be all God has intended it to be, but also for 24-7 and the Nordic connections or whatever else crops up. An evening not to be missed for sure! Nothing would delight us more than to see you on May 1st.

Where? In ”Kryptan” in Salemkyrkan. Metro: Medborgarplatsen.
When? May 1st at 6 pm.
Who? Everyone who wishes to come are invited. Especially you!
How? Tell us you are coming through Facebook or by e-mailing info -at- tjugofyrasju.be so that we know how many to cook for.
Confused? E-mail us if you have any questions or thoughts.