The journey so far.
How it all began.
Celtic Spirituality, Northumbria Community
'The Vision' was conceived by a group of young people meeting in the early 90s to pray and fellowship together. This group was initially part of Coventry Christian Fellowship (CCF), (part of which later became Hope Church which later merged with Mosaic Church, and part developed into Streams of Life). At the time the idea was first growing, most of the group were part of a CCF cell group who met weekly to pray, eat and fellowship together. Our then pastor, John Patterson, had been at seminary with John Skinner, co-founder of the Northumbria Community, a lay religious or New Monastic community based in the northeast of England. He had invited the Community to come to CCF several times to encourage us and to share some teaching on Celtic spirituality. Groups from CCF also visited Hetton Hall, or 'Nether Springs' (from Judges 1:12-15), the Mother House of the Community, on retreat, and some of our leadership also spent time living there as part of the community.
We were heavily influenced by this spirituality, so it wasn't long before our cell group adopted Evening Prayer, the complines and other liturgy from the Community's hugely influential book, 'Celtic Daily Prayer'. Members of the cell group also endeavoured to hold to the Community's rhythm of prayer, some becoming 'Companions' or 'Friends' of the Community and one of our group actually became part of the Community, eventually moving up to Northumberland.
A grand idea
No doubt these visits also bore fruit in terms of this grand idea - we wanted to do for Coventry what was being done in the Northeast, to raise the torch of the gospel like Aidan, to create a little 'colony of heaven', but we believed the idea came from God - it was His will, not just our bright idea! Several people seemed to have the idea simultaneously, each had slightly different thoughts but each was sufficiently similar that we felt it was 'of God'. We started to pray about it - 'the Vision' was conceived.
How, then, shall we live?
We began to look for a place. We felt the land was important - we wanted to grow things and keep animals, being 'eco-friendly' and sustainable, involving our guests in the practicalities as a restorative process, but also having quiet spaces, room to breathe and be silent. We felt the place would therefore be in the countryside at a little distance, or at least on the edge of town, which involved a journey to get there. Near enough to be accessible, but far enough away to allow peace and quiet.
Blessed are those ... whose hearts are set on pilgrimage
Soon it became apparent that the river Sherbourne was significant, and we looked for places near it, mainly to the northwest of the city where the river rises. We also began to pilgrimage along the river valley, praying for the city from Corley, through Allesley, Coundon, Spon End, the city centre, past Charterhouse, Whitley and on to its confluence with the Sowe. In the late '90s, the whole of CCF were involved in several major pilgrimages down the river, but the group has carried on this practice, calling themselves for a time, the 'Sherbourne Trust'. One year, Andy Raine from the Northumbria Community itself came and walked with us, along with friends from Monos, a similar community in Leicestershire. The group was instrumental in creating the Sherbourne Valley Way, part of the route into the city from the Coventry Way walk and pilgrimage route round the city which was walked by hundreds of people and our two bishops as part the Diocesan Centenary celebrations in 2018.
Where, then, shall we live?
Over the years we have looked at many places, mainly farms but also Murray Lodge, a local rehabilitation centre run by the Langley House Trust. In 2008 we were in discussions with them for a time when the property became vacant and they were assessing options. Our ideas did not cohere, however and they reopened the rehab. We got very excited about the nearby Charterhouse a little while later, being an ancient monastic site on the Sherbourne, which we had frequently prayed at, and for. We approached the college, which was hoping to sell it, but then it passed to the Historic Coventry Trust.
More recently in 2016, we sent a proposal to the diocese when it was seeking ideas for the future of the diocesan Retreat Centre, Offa House. Again, ideas were not aligned - the timing was not right, and so we continue to wait.
So what has God been saying throughout this time?
In the late '90s everyone in the group wrote down what they felt 'the Vision' was but we weren't sure how to proceed. Was this 'our thing' or should it be a CCF project? In 2002 we held an 'Envisioning Day' at the Old Blue Coat School, where we aimed to define, through discussions and prayer, what 'the Vision' was, who was 'onboard' and what our next steps should be. We had invited John Patterson and Wes Longden from CCF to join us for the day. Although it was a productive day in terms of ideas, we were told that after seeking God, the CCF leadership felt it would not be part of the church's vision, but they would support us in whatever way we went forward. We were somewhat disappointed, discouraged, and we think it's fair to say, looking back, that 'the Vision' faltered then, or rather, we did. People disengaged, personal events overtook us, families were growing, life moved on, we focused on other things.
Getting ready
But we continued to carry 'the Vision' in our hearts, praying and seeking God, visiting the Northumbria Community, and others, growing and deepening our spirituality as we used their liturgy.
In 2004, we felt God had given us the following word: "Get ready - get ready for the big push, because it will soon be time to start pushing". We recognised that we were in a time of preparation but wondered what "Get ready" meant on a practical level. We felt we should get more serious about prayer, especially the daily rhythm of prayer. More recently we have moved deeper into God's Word and worship, just being with God.
And He has been preparing us throughout this time, and continues to do so. In 2010 we were involved in setting up Coventry Prayer House. Many of us were involved in running it or hosting, and some still are, Cath on the management team and Ian helping with the communications. We love being part of the House of Prayer community, and its vision to facilitate and stimulate prayer in the city, but it is not 'the Vision'.
Around the same time, we connected with Monos, a community near Loughborough related to the Northumbria Community. In 2012 Cath began working with them, eventually staying there 2 or 3 days a week. Kev and Ellen Grimley were mentoring us. It was wonderful to journey with their community for a while, and we even considered joining them, however in 2015 we felt called back to focus on Coventry and our own 'Vision'.
Upper Springs?
For a number of years, our friends have lived by the top end of the river Sherbourne in a small house with a bit of land behind it, where prayer for the city is offered along with simple space for rest and retreat, and the opportunity to join in the rhythm of Morning, Midday and Evening prayer, times of work, study, recreation and quiet. Is this the partial fulfilment of 'the Vision'? Yes. Could this be our 'Upper Springs'? Very probably, but 'the Vision' will not be complete until the 'Nether Springs' are also opened up, whatever that might mean.
The Vision is Coming!
However, we are not looking for them, but waiting on God, because in 2019, God gave us a clear word to do so. This is the journal entry that Cath wrote on 8th February "The Vision - what you call 'the Vision' - is coming - it's on its way! I have been working behind the scenes unknown to you, to bring about my purposes in this regard - I will do it - Me, not you! It is My Vision - I will bring this thing into being. Even now it is coming, it is coming together and you don't have to do a thing. It is coming to you - so get ready. It will be offered to you; do you want it? Get ready to take it, grasp it firmly. But don't try to anticipate - wait patiently for it - it will surely come. Don't even look for it - look to ME, keep your eyes on Me! Don't look to right or left - listen for My voice saying this is the way, walk in it - walk here. Have courage and wait"
So, we are waiting and listening. (And trying not to look)!
