The Moravian Church

of Downey

OUR MISSION: "Sharing the love of Christ"   

in non-essentials, liberty;

in all things, love.

the GAPS community

What’s the premise?

   The Moravian Church no longer resembles its “glory days” of the 1950s, 1750s, & 1450s, at least in North America. It's been declining, in terms of membership and sustainability, for decades. It seems that people who find God in the natural world, in silent meditation, in mystery, in artistic expression, and in a wide embrace of others have been—for the most part—pushed to the periphery of the institutional church, if not squeezed out entirely. As a result, many Moravian and other Protestant congregations now find themselves with a people-deficiency.

   The city of Downey, CA also no longer resembles its "glory days" of the 1950s. Downey was once made up of citrus orchards and dairy farms, and had a predominantly Caucasian population, consisting primarily of families comprised of male breadwinners, stay-at-home moms, and 2.5 children. Over the past 50 years, development has taken over much of the natural land and brought in an influx of businesses, restaurants and concrete. While much of this development has been a boon to the area, it has rendered Downey residents with little green space and a lack of cultural, creativity- and community-fostering hubs.

   The neighborhood in which the Moravian Church of Downey building rests does not reflect the make-up of our most immediate neighbors, many of whom are: Mexican-American, families with young children, gay people, addicts, homeless people, etc. How do these neighbors perceive the Moravian Church of Downey? Perhaps they perceive the church (in general) as unsafe, unwelcoming of diversity, and quick to label certain people as inacceptable (all of which are contrary to the gospel--GOOD news--of Jesus Christ)?

   And how do these neighbors see our church building? Its doors are often closed and locked throughout the week. (As untrue as this is, this sends the message that those inside the building are also closed and locked up.) Parts of it are uninviting and unsafe. (As untrue as this is, this sends the message that those inside the building are also uninviting and unsafe.)

   Now is the time to do what Moravians have done best throughout history: re-imagine ourselves and our sense of mission in the world, lest we become completely irrelevant to those around us. It's time to allow ourselves to experiment with different approaches to being church in the world: to give ourselves permission to worship God in varied ways, to serve our neighbors creatively and resourcefully, and to intimately connect with diverse populations.

So, why the GAPS Community?

The mission of the GAPS community is love, in all things. We covenant to love God, other people, earth, and ourselves, recognizing that all sin stems from a lack of love.

What’s the inspiration?

•The model of the early Christ-ian church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles Read Acts 4: 32-35 & Acts 2:42-47.

•Jesus of Nazareth, who found community wherever he was, pointing to his disciples, saying: “Here are my mother and my brothers,” and who taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. He modeled God’s dream of community.

•other intentional Christi-ian communities, such as:

 -the intentional Moravian community of Kunvald, Bohemia (1450s-60s);

 -the intentional Moravian community of Herrnhut, Germany (1720s-30s);

 -the intentional Moravian community of Bethlehem, PA (1740s-50s);

 -The Potter Street Community of Philadelphia, PA (formerly, The Simple Way)

 -Church of the Sojourners in San Francisco, CA, and many others…

Who are the GAPS folks?

    GAPS Community residents are people of Christ-ian faith who seek to live simply (buy/waste as little as possible and rescue/conserve/handmake as much as possible in daily life). They submit a background check and completed application forms for consideration by the Joint Board of the Moravian Church of Downey before becoming a resident. Residents pay $25/month for staple items (food/TP/etc.). They’re encouraged to have part-time work in the Downey area, as a source of income and a way to connect with people.

    There are loosely shared domestic tasks for all house dwellers (vacuuming, cooking, dishes, shopping, laundry, etc.), with a rotating list for meal prep and chores—as a means of accountability. There’s a written covenant  and some relational and residential “shoulds” for folks to sign when they come to reside in the community. This covenant is revisited only in extreme conflict situations, when low level conversation doesn’t suffice.

Are the GAPS folks all Moravian in background?

    Not necessarily—ecumenism is encouraged within the GAPS community, with the emphasis being on the fact that we all strive to be Christ-ians (Christ-ones). Diversity of Christian faith traditions is celebrated and is an important means for us as an intentional community and congregation to connect more intentionally with people and local congregations outside of the Moravian bubble.  We seek to unite with other congregations in furthering the Kin(g)dom of God and manifesting the love and service of Jesus. However, GAPS folks participate regularly in Moravian Church of Downey congregational life, including: worship, fellowship, and hardship.

Gardener’s role (link available soon)

Artist’s role (link available soon)

Psalmist’s role (link available soon)

Shopkeeper’s role (link available soon)

Do homeless people sleep in the parsonage?

  No. The parsonage does NOT function as a homeless shelter for folks who are temporarily or chronically homeless. Neither does it function as a rehab center for folks who are temporarily or chronically addicted to mind-altering, body-harming substances. There are times when friends visit the house who happen to be without a home, or happen to be recovering addicts. BUT, if it’s okay with all the residents in the house, then it’s the house members’ prerogative (and ministry) to visit/dine with such friends. [The Pharisees and scribes often grumbled and said of Jesus: “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”]

Meet Christie and David Melby-Gibbons (link available soon)

The skinny on...

Alcohol/Drugs: The house is alcohol-free out of respect for our friends who struggle with alcoholism. No illegal substances are allowed in the house under ANY circumstance.

Creativity: GAPS Community life centers on the creative and performing arts, which have great power to interrupt cycles of poverty and free people (ourselves included) who are impoverished emotionally and/or spiritually.

Flexibility: Residents must be willing to adapt and sacrifice when there are unusual needs requiring special meetings, discussions, or bonding.

House dinner meetings: Bi-weekly, scheduled dinners (for residents and their significant others only) to check-in with one another and to officially connect regarding planning, information sharing, dates, ideas, evaluation, struggles, etc. (House members are encouraged to share meals together outside of this scheduled time, too.)

Justice: We seek in our daily endeavors to be bringers of justice at individual, nationwide, and global levels, striving to undo the structures which exacerbate oppression and poverty. We’re guided by the motto: “In all things, love.”

Money: It’s generally our policy to NOT give out money to those who ask for it. Instead, we give food, our time, and our help.

Open Table: Weekly dinners (Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.) including residents, guests, and strangers—for the purpose of building relationship.

Pets: The ONLY pets allowed in the house are aquarium-contained aquatic pets, which the pet owner MUST tend to on his/her own. [Leave your dogs, cats, birds, horses, lions, and bears with relatives.]

Sabbath: Naturally, times of rest and/or reflection and/or playing will occur sporadically throughout the week as individuals, as a house, and with the congregation. One day is also set aside as a Sabbath—typically Friday—during which the community and routine activities rest.

Simplicity: Residents strive to live on a daily basis, doing their utmost to pare down physical possessions and activities to only “the essentials”. We strive to be “low-maintenance” in all that we do.

Sleeping arrangements: There are 4 private rooms for the GAPS folks to sleep in here in the parsonage, in addition to the master bedroom (where the Melby-Gibbons’ sleep). This gives each celibate single person or monogamous couple ample private space to call their own. The parsonage common spaces (living room, dining room, kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room) are also adequate for daily community activity/storage. There is a hide-a-bed in the living room for overnight guests.

Spirituality: The community residents share a common desire for spirituality, commonly manifested in prayer, worship, sacraments, work, and play. The Bible is a source of inspiration in faith and life for those who reside in the GAPS community. House prayer is strongly encouraged each morning before the day begins.

Stewardship: We try to exist with a mindset of “enough,” understanding that those with too much can meet the needs of those with too little. We believe that the Kin(g)dom of God exists without poverty and oppression, and we seek to make that kin(g)dom a reality. The GAPS model of intentional community invites individuals who participate (at any level) to identify their unique gifts and talents and then—as good stewards of those gifts—take responsibility to use those gifts and talents to better the local communities in which we find ourselves.

Television: There isn’t one in the house. This allows for more time for creativity, intimacy, and acknowledgment of our need for reconciliation within ourselves and between one another—without the intrusion of television personalities. [It also gives us an excuse to go to our neighbors’ houses to watch occasional shows and movies. J]

Visitors & Residents: House members do not allow themselves to be alone with visitors to the house. As relationships develop, community members' discernment is respected, but aloneness with a visitor inside the house is strongly discouraged. Being alone with visiting children should NEVER happen. If being alone with a visitor in the house is necessary, house members must check in and out with another community member. Daytime visitors to the house are welcome. Preferably, visitors will let us know they’re coming before they arrive. All overnight visits are decided as a community. House members’ overnight guests (friends/family) are welcome to stay as long as they sleep in the house members’ room or on an obliging couch. If individuals want to become house residents, this is to be discussed after their visit to the house. They must be willing to commit to the vision, commitments, and covenant of the GAPS community. All residents commit to balancing time with people inside the intentional community/congregation and building relationships outside of the house/congregation.

Weapons: No implements of death are allowed in the house under any circumstance. Non-violence is an absolute in the GAPS community.

intrigued? if you're interested in learning more, contact Christie at inallthingslove@downeymoravian.org.