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X /Twitter Justin Welby
Community of St Anselm.jpg
X/Twitter Justin Welby
World News

'Sombreness' at Lambeth Palace as monastic community discerns its future

by Donna Birrell

A monastic community of Christians which was founded by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace ten years ago is now in the process of 'discerning' its future.

Justin Welby launched the Community of St Anselm shortly after he became archbishop and since then the community has grown to more than 200 members around the world.

Most members have spent a 'year in God's time' living at Lambeth Palace following in the way of the Benedictine monk Anselm, in prayer and worship, while others have continued to work in their daily jobs.

Now though the community is considering what it should look like in the coming years.

Shannon Preston was among the first intake and has spent the last ten years working with the community at Lambeth Palace where she is now its chaplain. She told Premier:

"We follow a rhythm of prayer, study, service in the community. We come from around the world, from different Christian denominations, from different professional backgrounds, and come and live together for one year, or we've had members who are working or studying in and around London and come in in a different way with the community."

Members often follow a seven day silent retreat and Rev Preston says "the exposure to the love of God is truly life transforming".

The Community called for a year of discernment last September, before Justin Welby announced his resignation over Church of England safeguarding failures. Now Rev Preston says members are listening to what God is saying to them about their future:

"We know there will be a future for the Community of St Anselm and it is figuring out what the shape of that is. There is uncertainty and it makes us lean more onto God. We know God is faithful, and so we return to prayer and bring our questions as well to Him.

"We knew that there would be changes coming for the community and I think change was certainly inevitable for us."

Asked whether the departure of the archbishop had changed the atmosphere at Lambeth Palace, Rev Preston said the rhythm of prayer is continuing but that "there is a sombreness and a kind of turning and of listening as well."

She said that while the Community isn't recruiting new members this year, "we'll see in the next few months what that may look like going forward."

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