The Anam Cara  Community takes its name from the ancient Celtic phrase anam cara, meaning “soul friend.” In the Celtic Christian tradition, the anam cara was a companion of the heart—one who shared the journey of faith, offered spiritual friendship, and reflected the presence of God through mutual care and honesty. Inspired by this heritage, the community seeks to cultivate modern expressions of that same sacred friendship, shaping communities grounded in love, simplicity, and shared spiritual practice.

The community is post‑denominational and unaffiliated, drawing wisdom from the breadth of the Christian tradition while remaining rooted in the living Spirit rather than institutional boundaries. It welcomes people from diverse backgrounds who follow the way of Jesus and who long for authentic community beyond the limits of denomination or doctrine.

At its heart, the Anam Cara Community is an organic, intentional Christian community committed to mutual support, personal growth, and the search for meaning. Members affirm that Christianity is best lived in relationship—in shared prayer, honest conversation, and acts of compassion. The Community emphasizes equality and participation, recognizing that each person bears the gifts of the Spirit and the responsibility to nurture others.

The Community follows a home‑based model, gathering regularly in living rooms, around tables, or outdoors to share life and faith. Meetings include time for social connection, Scripture reading, reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist as a sign of unity and grace. Together, members nourish one another—spiritually, emotionally, and practically—seeking to embody the early church’s pattern of community and the Celtic vision of God’s presence in all creation. Through this simple rhythm of life, the Anam Cara Community becomes a living expression of the Gospel: friends of God, friends to one another, and friends to the world.

The Anam Cara  Community is not affiliated with any denomination, church, or organized movement.

Our inspiration comes from the wellsprings of Celtic Christianity, with its reverence for creation and the sacredness of everyday life; from progressive Christianity, which embraces diversity, justice, and thoughtful inquiry; and from home‑church and intentional community models, which emphasize simplicity, participation, and friendship in faith.

We do not require theological conformity or assent to any particular creed or statement.

We do not seek to replace or compete with existing congregations, ministries, or spiritual communities.

Instead, we offer a complementary space of belonging—a circle of prayer, reflection, and support that may deepen members’ faith wherever they are rooted.

For some, Anam Cara may become their primary spiritual home; for others, it will serve as a companion community, enriching their faith journeys through shared table fellowship, conversation, and care. In all cases, our purpose remains the same: to nurture the Spirit’s work of love and connection in every life and setting.

Anam Cara is dedicated to developing a DIY Christianity.

As traditional church institutions recede and the number of clergy declines, Christianity will inevitably turn toward a more self-organizing and participatory form. Many already sense this shift: spiritual life increasingly unfolds outside of formal oversight, and Christians are reclaiming direct responsibility for their spirituality.

This do-it-yourself Christianity will touch nearly every part of spiritual practice. Baptisms may take place in rivers and lakes, led by friends or family rather than ordained ministers.

Formation and education will grow through small study circles, online communities, and mentorship rather than seminary instruction.

Eucharistic meals will consist of shared bread and wine in homes, understood as the restoration of Jesus' open table ministry.

In this emerging landscape, marriage and funeral rites will also return to the people's hands. These moments will become more intimate, shaped by relationships and storytelling rather than institutional formality.

This decentralized Christianity may appear unruly to traditional eyes, but it carries within it the seed of renewal. It expresses the conviction that the sacred does not depend on institutional mediation. The Spirit, long assumed to operate through hierarchy, will once again be recognized as moving freely among all who gather in Jesus’ name.

The Anam Cara Community is grounded in a model of consensus governance, reflecting our belief that the Spirit speaks through the gathered community rather than through imposed authority. Decisions are made through prayerful listening, open dialogue, and mutual discernment, seeking unity rather than majority rule. This process honors the equality and dignity of all participants while fostering humility, patience, and deep trust among them.

Facilitating gatherings and caring for the community are shared responsibilities. Roles such as coordinating meetings, preparing the Eucharist, hosting discussions, or organizing acts of service will rotate among members. Each person contributes according to their gifts and comfort, ensuring that leadership remains fluid, participatory, and inclusive.

We intentionally resist hierarchy and unnecessary leadership structures, believing that authentic spiritual authority arises from service, not position. Our Community seeks to model the early communities of faith—collaborative, accountable, and guided by love—where all voices are valued, and the Spirit’s movement is welcomed in every heart. In this way, our governance becomes both practical and spiritual: a lived expression of the friendship, equality, and mutual care at the heart of anam cara—soul friendship.

Anam Cara Community gatherings follow a simple, participatory rhythm that blends prayer, conversation, and shared table fellowship. Each meeting begins with a time of gathering and social connection, allowing friends to greet one another and settle into a sense of belonging. The community then comes together in song and an opening meditation or silence, centering hearts and minds in the awareness of God’s presence.

A reading of Scripture follows, often from the lectionary or a passage chosen for reflection. A brief shared reflection invites communal participation, encouraging all to share insights, questions, and experiences that bring the Word to life in daily life.

The gathering then moves into a Eucharistic celebration, the heart of the meeting, in which all are welcome to share the bread and cup as signs of unity and grace. After communion, the community enters a time of holding others in the Light, lifting prayers and intentions for those in need.

Announcements and shared updates follow, leading naturally into a potluck meal and continued fellowship. In this unhurried rhythm of worship and table, Anam Cara nurtures the friendship and faith that sustain its life together.

Membership in the Anam Cara Community is founded on an open heart, an open mind, and a spirit of goodwill. All who seek to walk the way of Christ in friendship, integrity, and love are welcome to participate in the community's life. There are no creeds or tests of belief—only the desire to grow in faith, compassion, and shared meaning.

The Community recognizes two forms of belonging. Associate members include newcomers, seekers, and those wishing to explore the community’s rhythm of life without formal commitment. Associates are encouraged to participate fully in gatherings, spiritual friendship, and service as they discern their path.

Those who desire a deeper involvement may enter a period of study and reflection, engaging with the Rule of Life, the Community’s theology of meaning, and the practices of Celtic Christian tradition. When they personally discern readiness, they may make a profession of commitment, affirming their intent to live by the Anam Cara Rule of Life in the spirit of mutual support and accountability. This profession marks not attainment but dedication—a conscious choice to walk the journey of soul friendship with sincerity and grace.

In its early formation, the Anam Cara Community seeks to meet monthly, with the hope of gathering more frequently as the community deepens and grows. Those engaged in the Community commit to attend as often as possible, recognizing that consistent presence fosters friendship, trust, and spiritual rhythm. Yet we understand that life holds many responsibilities, and no one is judged or excluded for sporadic attendance. The spirit of grace and welcome always prevails.

Children are welcome at all gatherings and are gently expected to remain under parental or guardian supervision, so that the space may remain prayerful and attentive. Guests are warmly invited, encouraged to share in conversation, reflection, and table fellowship as they feel comfortable. Whether gathering monthly or weekly, the Community’s rhythm reflects its heart: open, flexible, family‑minded, and grounded in the friendship of Christ.

All those of goodwill and shared purpose are welcome within the Anam Cara Community. We open our hearts and homes to all who seek truth, kindness, and spiritual growth, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance.

What unites us is not uniformity of thought, but a common desire to follow the way of love and to nurture one another in spirituality and friendship.

Each person brings unique gifts and insights to the circle, enriching the community’s life and witness. In this spirit, all are received as companions on the journey toward wholeness and meaning.