To provide opportunities for men and women, seeking to deepen their life of prayer and mature in their Christian faith, to live alongside the community and to participate in the life and work of the community.
+
Constitution of the Society of the Sacred Cross
Tymawr Convent extends its hospitality to those who are looking for ‘time out’ from their regular life and work in order to deepen their life of prayer and discern their way. We also welcome volunteers who wish to give their time to help with domestic tasks or to work in the gardens and grounds.
Alongsiders
Tymawr Convent offers hospitality to those who are looking for ‘time out’ from their regular life and work in order to deepen their life of prayer and discernment. This invitation enables an Alongsider to ‘taste and see’ the life of the community. We consider this an important aspect of our life within the wider body of the Church, knowing that the Alongsider will return to their worshipping community with expanded gifts and insight into a life lived with Jesus in our world today. For those exploring a religious vocation this sharing in the life of the community is a vital step in listening deeply to God’s work in their life and necessary before entering into the next step of admission as a Postulant in the community.
An Alongsider will stay for a minimum period of one month, with the possibility of a full year. The length of stay will be agreed with the Reverend Mother after the applicant has visited the community. He or she will be invited to share fully in the worshipping and work life of the community with one rest day each week. Their work may be on the land or in the domestic life of hospitality and daily living of the convent. An Alongsider is given board and keep. Other expenses remain their responsibility. A Basic DBS (Safeguarding) check is required.
If you feel that you want to explore the possibility of living alongside the Community for 1-12 months, please complete this form (click to expand) to make contact with the Reverend Mother.
Alongsider enquirer’s form
Volunteers
A volunteer is someone who comes to serve the aims and objectives of the community, whether through work on the land, assistance in the daily practical life of the community or administration. There is never a shortage of tasks waiting to be done. All are invited to participate in the worshipping life of the community. By its very nature, being a volunteer is shaped by the availability and gifts of the individual. Regular commitment is a great help to the community and more interesting for the volunteer who, over time, will come to know the work and the people of the community. Volunteering can be the beginning of lasting friendships. This cadre of local people also helps to embed the community in the neighbourhood and the cares and concerns of its daily life.
There are many opportunities for volunteering on the land. The Head of Gardens, in partnership with Gwent Wildlife Trust, gathers a group to work in the coppices once a month. A similar group also gathers once a month to work in the rest of the estate, the kitchen gardens and fruit orchards. The silence and peace of the land is a treasure, which is restful and nurturing. Such help enables the development of the site for the best possible biodiversity. We cannot do this alone. The Harvest Eucharist is a shared opportunity to give thanks for this communion of hearts and hands.
Please complete this form (click to expand) if you would like to offer your time and skills in service to the Community.
