Bethlehem Farm :: Communities Directory

Formed: 2004 Established: 2005

This page last updated:9/11/2011

Bethlehem Farm

Clayton, West Virginia,

United States

Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that transforms lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices. We invite volunteers to join us living the Gospel cornerstones of service, prayer, simplicity, and community.

Community life at Bethlehem Farm revolves around the cornerstones of Community, Prayer, Simplicity, and Service. We are a joy filled community of single and married lay people working and playing, laughing and crying, challenging and supporting one another as we seek to live a radical gospel based lifestyle.

We begin each day as a group in prayer and share our meals as a community. On some days you might find all of us together on a home repair work site and on others we may be spread across three counties. There are many roles to be filled at a place like Bethlehem Farm and we work together as a group of equals to see how God can best make use of us each and every day.

We live a lifestyle of intentional simplicity and seek to walk softly on this earth. Recognizing that each decision we make, whether it be a big or a small one, has repercussions not only for our community but for our neighbors here in Summers County, WV and our brothers and sisters all around the globe.

Each member of our caretaker community has felt called to life and service at Bethlehem Farm. Some join the Bethlehem Farm caretaker community for one year while others have made an indefinite commitment. All of us have a unique story to tell when asked, "How did you end up at the top of a mountain in West Virginia?," yet each of those stories share common themes: a desire to be a part of an intentional community, to seek God every day, to strive for sustainability, and to serve. These are just a few of the blessings and challenges of life at Bethlehem Farm.

Do you feel called to a life of prayer, simplicity, community, and service? We invite you to prayerfully consider joining us in our journey by applying to be a Caretaker at Bethlehem Farm.

Website: http://www.bethlehemfarm.net

Contact:

Bethlehem Farm
PO Box 415
Talcott, West Virginia 24981 United States
Phone: 304-445-7143

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:9/11/2011

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Please call or email in advance to arrange a visit.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community is a legally sanctioned church or religious organization and living in our community is restricted to members of that religion as allowed by law. Our religion does not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin. Housing in our community is non-commercial (i.e. not intended to make a profit).

Comment: Living in our community is not restricted to Catholics alone. Living in our community is open to Christians who are open to the Catholic tradition.

Population Members(adults and children): 8 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: Yes Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (We generally follow a 5 day, 9-5 workweek.) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: No
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 47.5 acres (19.2 hectares) Land Owned By: Another form of Non-profit Number of Residences: 1 (A second building is planned for 2012 groundbreaking.) Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian (Primarily local and/or organic) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Seldom used	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Roman Catholic (Membership in our community is open to Christians who are open to the Catholic tradition.)

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