On the first weekend of March I joined some fellow Christian Climate Action (CCA) members for a retreat at Hilfield Friary, An intentional community in North Dorset. It was certainly an inspiring, relaxing and contemplative weekend. Here, a core of four Franciscan brothers and a wider community of members and volunteers young and old, single and married, live a simple and sustainable way of life together inspired by the example of St Francis of Assisi. Their aim is to grow in the knowledge of the love of God, to serve and nurture God’s creation, and to seek peace among people and with every part of the created order.
Each day the community come together for daily prayers in the simple chapel converted from a barn. They share meals at the long common table in the refectory. There is also plenty of time and space to be quiet and alone. A sustainable ethos prevails throughout friary life. It is evident in the way they insulate and heat their buildings. In the way they source and prepare their food. The way they travel. How they care for their land and animals. With the help of a grant, they have installed enough solar panels to take them closer to their carbon neutral goal. They have achieved a 95% reduction in their carbon footprint, even with old hard-to-treat buildings. When applying for an Eco Church Silver Award, their impressive application immediately upgraded them to Gold!
The friary’s land is a haven for wildlife in a local area of heavy agriculture. On Saturday morning we had a guided tour of the land. We reflecting upon the life of St Francis and St Clare. There is a secret garden, a kitchen garden and a hermit’s wood which they are turning into a wet area. To counteract flooding in the local area, they are building wooden walkways. They have planted new trees the previous year with one dedicated to CCA.
We learned the story of how St Francis saved two lambs from going to slaughter. He giving his cloak as payment for them. Later, after conferring with a brother, he gave the lambs back to the shepherd who insured they would live a full nourished life. This reflects on how, if we are connect more with nature, we can have a will to care for our environment.
We later produced a banner for future actions. Then we watched a fascinating film about the history of Greenpeace. We learned how they changed the world’s attitude to whaling and seal hunting. Some members of the community are also directly involved in CCA climate action. Therefore, it was as much a joy for them to invite us as it was for us to visit them.