![[the conneXion project]](graphics/the-conneXion-project-4.gif)
like Christ on the Cross
connecting Heaven to Earth
left to right
then to now
person to person
in blood and pain
nothing pretty about it
but the hidden glory of God
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The first step for those who have caught the Celtic Catholic dream is to form a Connexion group. This is a group of at least four people who commit to each other to meet regularly and hold each other accountable as they grow in their Christian lives. Four is the minimum we strive for (more about that later), but two or three is fine if that's what you've got. A Connexion is an informal group, but with a purpose and with commitment. Generally they are aiming to become actual congregations in the Celtic Catholic Church, but not always. Whatever the group plan to become, their first priority is developing no-nonsense, (sometimes painfully) authentic fellowship where anything goes as long as it is honest and loving. A Connexion does not need to have a priest or any other clergy person to function: it is a grass roots expression of community. |
The members of these groups are making connections:
But why "connexion" instead of "community"?
Look at these definitions taken from Fund & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary:
community (ke-myoo'ne-tee) n. 1. A group of people living together or in one locality and subject to the same laws, having common interests, etc. 2. The district or area in which they live. 3. The public; society in general. 4. Common ownership or participation. 5. Identity or likeness: community of interests 6. Ecol. A group of plants or animals living under relatively similar conditions in a definite area. [<L communitas, fellowship]
How is this word used nowadays? We hear about the "African-American community," the "artistic community," the "homosexual community," the "left-handed red-haired Polish-Japanese Swahili-speaking barber community." What does it really mean? Nothing! Other than to make it sound like they all get together on a regular basis (and where would you fit the "African-American community" or the "artistic community" even if they did have an annual convention?) It has become meaningless and we know it. Billboards for Royal Orangewood Mountainview Lakeside Estates at Stoneybrooke Pointe Centre urge us to "Live in a community, not just a home." Is that what community means? A housing development where no one will ever step foot in their neighbors' houses? It shouldn't mean that, but it does. One of the most beautiful words in the English language has been stripped of meaning.
And the funny thing? The word's Latin root, communitas, meaning "fellowship," is exactly what we are all craving. But all we get is ersatz "community."
connection (ke-nek'shen) n. 1. The act of connecting or a state of being connected. 2. That which joins or relates; a bond; link. 3. Logical sequence of words or ideas; coherence. 4. Context. 5 Family relationship. 6. A religious sect. 7 usually pl. A groups of friends or associates, often considered as influential in some way. 8. Often pl. A transfer or continuation from one route or vehicle to another. Also Brit. con-nex'ion
Yes! This is exactly what we are looking for! Every one of these definitions is what we Celtic Catholics mean when we say that we are all about "community."
That is why the XP is at the center of the Connexion logo. (The X = the Greek letter chi; P = the letter rho. They are the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek, and together are a traditional symbol for the Lord.) The chi/rho, Christ, is the Logos, the Divine Word who gives logical sequence and coherence to the universe -- in other words, the one who makes sense out of the chaos.What do you mean, that's not what you meant when you asked, "Why connexion?"? You just wanted to know why we chose the older/British spelling of the word? Because it looks cool with the X, that's why.
Fellowship comes first. This naturally leads to praying together, studying with each other, and worshiping as a community. Although all Christians desire to spread the Gospel, evangelism per se is not a first priority for a group. Why? Well, in our Celtic Catholic thought, "bringing someone to Christ" by itself, although admirable, doesn't make much sense. Christ is experienced in community, in his Body. Our goal is really to bring people to the Kingdom of God. So the Connexions work on creating outposts of this Kingdom:
When that happens, God rules, Christ is present, the Spirit flows. This is where people meet Christ.
Where is a Connexion Group?The ideal would be that all groups begin and grow near established Celtic Catholics, for nurture and fellowship. But we know that if you are reading this, you are probably too far away. So the Connexion group meets where you are: in a home, at a church, at a library, in a park, wherever you are. On a train, in the rain, |
Who makes the connexion?We do. Connexion is all about us. There is no me and God or you and God in the Celtic Catholic Church, or in any Christian Church. The Church is you and me and God and the saints and angels with Christ among us as the connexion! |
You can start today, or next Tuesday, or in fifty years. So why not get started now, while you are thinking about it?
Oh, no! Twelve things we gotta do? Help, help! Forget this complicated idea...
Don't Panic!
It's a whole lot simpler than it looks. Really, a Connexion is just a group of friends who fellowship, pray, study, and worship together. All we have done here is help you see at a glance what you will wind up doing on your own anyway. These twelve points simply give you a framework to help it happen and to make it official. So take a deep breath and start clicking.
Get connected 2
Pick a partner 3
Tell us about it 4
Make a family 5
Get into prayer 6
Get smart 7
Get spiritual 8
Get official 9
Get regular 10
Become trustees 11
Report in 12
There are some documents and forms available in PDF format which you may find helpful.