Living in Community
Lee Abbey is not a monastic or traditional religious order, and its community members are male and female, of all ages, many countries and a variety of Christian backgrounds. A significant proportion, but not a majority, are single and in their 20s.
Members of the Lee Abbey communities are volunteers who receive their board, lodging and an allowance. In return they serve on one of the teams that make the centres run. The working teams at Lee Abbey Devon and London are:
- Kitchen (Devon and London)
- House (Devon and London)
- Office and administration (Devon and London)
- Maintenance (Devon and London)
- Estate (Devon only)
- Pastoral (Devon only)
- Conference (Devon only)
- Youth and children (Devon only)
- Beacon (Devon only)
- Pudox (Devon only)
In addition to their team responsibilities, community members also take full part in morning prayers, community worship and other activities. Those in Devon serve meals and tea and coffee to guests, take part in the guests' programme and every two to three months take turns to lead that programme. Those in London take part in activities organised for and with the resident students.
Many community members from all parts of the Lee Abbey movement describe the experience as life-changing, learning new skills or growing in confidence as they are given responsibilities in team leading, entertainment or working with children. Some discover gifts that enable them to go on to become leaders in the church or elsewhere.
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