Small Communities in Religious Life: Making Them Work

Written from experience, this manual gives practical, accessible advice for those involved in the running of small religious communities.

Like the author's previous book Meetings That Work, this is a self-help manual giving practical advice in an accessible way, helping people to realise their full potential. Aimed at those in small life-giving communities practising collegiality, subsidiarity and collaborative reflective ministry, the book offers the benefit of Catherine Widdicombe's wide experience to leaders and members of communities who have no outside aid. The importance of small communities in religious life is explored and the problems faced while living in them is examined, from unfamiliar and unexpected relational demands to new spiritual challenges. The author has spent over 20 years working in these areas, primarily with women from widely different religious communities, and has developed a highly accessible book to help leaders and members of communities who have little access to facilitators.

Catherine Widdicombe, co-founder of 'Avec', an ecumenical agency for church and community work, and former President of the Grail Society, has worked with a wide range of groups, acting as a consultant in training and facilitation work.