The Gift Economy
Freedom and Responsibility
We believe people long for lives that are more deeply rooted in Spirit, more attentive to the living Earth, more compassionate toward one another, and more responsive to the gifts entrusted to us. We also believe the way we organize our life together should reflect those same values.
For that reason, we offer our programs through a gift economy.
The Gift Economy is a practical relationship that seeks to balance freedom and responsibility.
Freedom
Participation is never contingent upon financial contribution, and no one is excluded because of financial circumstances. This reflects our belief that many of life’s deepest gifts cannot be bought or sold.
The teachings and practices offered through the New Story Community are understood to come from Spirit and to belong to Creation. They are gifts that have been received from Spirit over many years through listening, contemplation, study, and community.
Because the teachings are received and offered as gifts the participants are free to assign value to the offering as they are moved.
Before anyone joins a program, much effort has been put into curriculum development, facilitator preparation, administration, communications, technology, publications, recruitment, and community building.
Participants are asked to undertake responsible stewardship of the New Story Community. Some people choose to give because they have personally benefited from the community. Others give because they hope future participants will experience the same journey. Still others give because they believe a world rooted more deeply in Spirit, compassion, reciprocity, and care for the Earth is worth cultivating.
Responsibility
An Invitation
Your financial gifts help make possible the ongoing development and refinement of curriculum, preparation for every gathering and retreat, formation of future facilitators and stewards, participant care, scholarships that remove financial barriers, books and educational resources, communications, technology, and the many visible and invisible acts of hospitality that make this community possible.
Whether you have participated in one of our programs, encountered these ideas through our books or reflections, or simply believe this vision is needed in our world, we invite you to participate in helping it take root.
Please consider donating now.