Guidelines and Ideals
The Purpose: The members of The Anamchara Fellowship commit to pursue a consecrated life, lived either together in community or singly, yet bound by a common ideal. The Anamchara Fellowship will seek to teach the Faith of Christ by whatever means are at its disposal, and to promote the ministries of teaching, spiritual direction and pastoral care.
The Dedication: We are dedicated to the Holy Trinity, who exemplifies the Anamchara relationship. "Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us."
The Spirit: The Anamchara Fellowship will be lived in the spirit of Celtic Christianity, by a focus on the Crucified and Risen Christ which leads to inclusivity (seeking to build bridges), generosity, gentleness toward all that God has created, with a sense of being in harmony with all of God’s creation and to have a heart for pilgrimage.
The Vows
The vows are made to God, in the presence of witnesses, received by the ecclesiastical authority of the member’s denomination. Accountability of each member is ultimately to that authority, to the Fellowship as a whole, and to the member’s personal anamchara.
The vows of each member of the Anamchara Fellowship will be for the duration of three years, and renewed in the presence of an ecclesiastical authority of the member’s denomination. When practicable, another member of the Anamchara Fellowship will be present.
When a member desires to terminate his/her membership, a written request should be sent to the Fellowship and to the ecclesial authority under whom the member has been accountable. It is recommended that the member endeavor to fulfill the term of their current commitment, if at all possible, before terminating membership in the Fellowship.
Simplicity of Life:
- Having no financial recourse to the Fellowship, but within individual means helping to maintain its organizational needs
- Seeking to live without a spirit of accumulation
- Using all things with gentleness and respect, developing a sense of poverty of spirit, whereby we grasp with heart and mind that ALL belongs to God
- Becoming extravagant with our love and care toward others "He should never refuse assistance to a person who calls with insistence for it. Let him share generously and without measure with the one who asks." (Rule of Ailbe)
Fidelity:
- Living with gentleness of manner toward everyone
- Renouncing all physical and verbal control over others
- Constancy toward the one with whom God has blessed us as mate or as Anamchara
- Consciously striving after peace and mercy for all: "To do justice, to love peace, and to walk humbly with God."
Obedience:
- Following the Gospel imperatives of love and forgiveness
- Working within the context of the Church to which the member belongs, seeing the leadership and Councils of the Church as guides
- Listening for the voice of God in those placed in authority over us in our congregations, dioceses and within the Fellowship.