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2007 began rather glumly after a green For Sale sign was posted in our front yard. But after 6 months of fear and uncertainty, we were relieved to learn that we could stay in the Abbey through July 2008. We prayed, brainstormed, and discussed how our final year at 1509 Enfield Road could best embody the call of Christ.
The result? Abbey 3.0--affectionately entitled this because it's our third year of community living. Beginning September 1st, we relaunched Abbey life with new people, new rhythms, and new spaces.
NEW PEOPLE
Over the past 3 years, we've had all sorts of Abbey living arrangements. (Jason mused that he had lived in 3 different rooms during his 2 years here!) We've had as few as 4 people and as many as 11. Abbey 3.0 will be home to 5 adults and 2 kids. Andy Dollerson, Michael Manes, and newcomer Ryan Flemming are the back-of-the-house bachelors. Ryan has been a regular face at the Abbey for awhile now, and we are happy to have him as a housemate. The Willis family rounds out the remaining occupants.
We added a monthly Abbey gathering for all occupants past and present. This time of reconnecting allows us to keep up with expanding ministry circles, to pray for one another, to challenge one another to missional living, and to celebrate!
NEW RHYTHMS
We shuffled and streamlined our rhythms for Abbey 3.0. The day still begins with prayer, but we start a little earlier. We also switched prayer books. The emphasis of morning prayer, however, remains the same -- prayer for others and a sending out for us.
We continue to share cooking and cleaning duties. Tuesday nights we each cook once a month and invite friends to dine with us. Greg prepares a story and teaching moment over dinner. Wednesday nights we all contribute to potluck dinner before our weekly worship gathering.
Our worship times have a different emphasis each
week-- heart, mind, soul, and strength. "Heart"
time focuses on accountability and confession. "Mind"
is for our monthly book club; we are currently reading
Colossians Remixed. "Soul" time is similar
to an old-fashioned prayer meeting, and "Strength"
is a monthly service project. Just this past week,
we prepared dinner for J.J., the neighborhood homeless
man who lives at 12th and Blanco. Everyone contributed
something, including Connor who took gumballs and
2 pieces of purple construction paper.
All other evenings we sit down for dinner at 7. As always, guests are welcomed. If you are in Austin, please stop by. If it's 7 pm, we are probably around the dinner table.
Our final rhythm is a monthly gathering or party
for our neighbors, friends, and coworkers. In October
we hosted The
Cobalt Season in concert with special guest
Mark Scandrette. You will have an opportunity to
read more about this event in our next issue.
NEW SPACES
With fewer people in the Abbey, we were able to spread out a bit. Each guy has his own room and bathroom. Camden has moved out of our walk-in closet and back into his own room. And we still have 1 extra room to accommodate guests. If you come for a visit, we finally have a comfortable space for you!
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