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Freedom Cloister
Freedom cloister is where we live and work.
Freedom cloister is not just an intentional community. It is a network of communities. We call them cloisters. The word cloister actually describes the collonade of columns surrounding a courtyard.
Some are as small as a single person. Others could potentially have hundreds of members. Each community is a piece of the fabric that binds us together in our efforts to sustain our living.
Each cloister is a production community. Some members work in regular jobs outside the cloister, but most work on the inside producing the food we eat, teaching our children, making clothes or produce products and services for the outside world or other cloisters.
We try to isolate ourselves from the things that lead to greed, like money. When goods and services are transferred from one cloister to another no money change hands. Those of our needs that cannot be met by our own efforts are purchased with money coming from products we make, services we render or regular jobs outside the cloister.
We think we can learn much from the way the Amish live. We also try to live simple, humble lives. We do use technology, but only to the extent it doesn't interfere with our goals. For example, we do have TV sets, but we only watch recorded shows for education or entertainment. Everything will be stripped of commercials and violence. Same with the Internet. Some people will serve as researchers, clean out the clutter and present just the facts we need.
Joining a cloister is a process. Sometimes it takes years. Sometimes only a few weeks. It usually begins with a visit at a cloister. Gradually, you will become part of our daily life. You will learn about our religion and our habits. Eventually, you will make a choice to join us or not. You will make your choice and commitment public at a ceremony during a church service. The cloister members will decide to accept you or not.
Everyone who lives in our cloisters will have gone through this probation period. Once you have decided to commit to it, it is usually a lifetime commitment. Of course, you can leave any time you like.
Only in those rare cases where someone is working against our goals will we ask someone to leave. They can choose to leave entirely or join a special cloister with others who have also broken their promise and commitment. We will still feed, clothe and shelter you, but you will live in a separate cloister and you will be expected to continue to contribute your talents to sustain yours and the lives of the other members of your cloister. You can always re-join your original cloister once you have made a public commitment to support it or another cloister of your choice that will accept you.
Amish families are very much traditional families. Ours are often a little different. A cloister can consist of a single person, a single family, several families or other connected groups of people. We do encourage members to keep many of the characteristics of tradional families. Children seem to thrive on close knit families. At the same time, we encourage participation in the cloister's common life.
