Difficult and Yet Hopeful Work of Being Community

I am continuing my blog series on the folks in our Dwell program. To learn more about our Dwell program or to apply to be one of our residents, please visit our website (www.doornetwork.org/atlanta). Today I introduce you to Alan, one of our second year Dwell community members. Alan was involved in the creation of Earth Covenant Ministry, a ministry of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and lives in our Grant Park house.

~Jannan Thomas, DOOR Atlanta City Director


“I choose to live at Dwell because I recognize my neediness. Regardless of how tempted we are to think that we can live independently of community the Gospel shows us that we are in need of one another. It is the gospel that breaks down those walls that make community possible. Our neediness becomes our strength.


Midway through the first year I lived in the Dwell house we experienced conflict within the house where one member said “I’m finishing up this year and then I am leaving”. And another said “Reconciliation with another community member is impossible”. In the first case, that person by the end of the year felt called to stay on; in the second case, the reconciliation has happened. I see that as evidence of movement of the Holy Spirit and evidence of the difficult and yet hopeful work of being community.


I see a direct connection with my ministry at the level of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta regarding caring for creation and my life here at Dwell. I see this connection through seeking to share resources, meals, and living as simply as we can. Some example of that are trying to increase energy conservation, cultivating a garden, and having chickens. Not everybody always sees it the same way that I do, and so I pray for them. Just kidding!"


~Alan, Grant Park Dwell House Community Member