Church Communities UK is a charitable company registered in England.
We are established for the advancement of the Christian faith and the promotion of the moral and spiritual welfare of the general public, and in particular to further the faith and mission of Jesus Christ and the way of life whose character is church community.
To do this, we establish, develop and support the vocation of church community, made possible through the transforming power of Jesus Christ, that calls believers to live simply and honestly, renounce all worldly goods and devote themselves entirely to an integrated life in the service of Jesus Christ.
This vocation includes work, worship, apostolic mission, education and family life. We recognise that productive labour is a vital aspect of church community life and is, in this context, a religious activity that advances the message of the Christian gospel.
Each community keeps an open door to all people who desire to participate and co-operate in these aims.
We also give charitable assistance throughout the world, where the need for peace, justice, reconciliation and non-violence, community, alleviation of poverty and suffering and the education of children and adults exists.
History
Church Communities UK owns several properties in the UK and Europe which are home to the Christian communities known as the Bruderhof.
In 1936 the Bruderhof fled Nazi persecution in Germany and moved to the UK. The community has been recognised as being established for charitable purposes ever since.
For more information on the Brudehof, please visit www.bruderhof.com
Schools
We run two independent schools in the UK. Each school is set within the grounds of one of our communities. Both schools are inspected by Ofsted and have received consistently good ratings.
Our schools accept children from 6 years old and offer rigorous academics and a broad education in art, music, sportsmanship, and skilled crafts of many kinds.
Inspiring children to a lifelong love of learning and service to others is a central tenet of our approach to schooling. The curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic and a strong understanding and respect for the natural world.
The school in Kent’s website is www.beechgroveschool.co.uk
Community Life
We own several properties in the UK and Europe which are home to the Christian communities known as the Bruderhof.
Members live in full community of goods and complete spiritual unity, based on the gospel of Christ. The faith and practice of the Bruderhof is fully described in its church rule, Foundations of our Faith and Calling.
At each location, housing is provided for the families and singles who share in the vocation of community life. Guest accommodation is available, and the communities welcome hundreds of visitors each year. Community members and visitors gather for meals and worship meetings at noon or in the evenings.
For more information on the Bruderhof, please visit the official Bruderhof website.
Outreach
We work to further the faith and mission of Jesus Christ through publishing work, mission journeys, and other charitable work including education, peace, justice, reconciliation and alleviation of poverty and suffering.
In some cases, grants are made to further the work of others. Church Communities UK has worked on international development projects with Save the Children, Oxfam, Tearfund and Christian Aid, and supported work within the UK such as improving fostering and adoption with the Evangelical Alliance; supporting young people in London with XLP; and caring for the sick at St Michael’s Hospice.
From each community, members minister to the varied needs of individuals in local villages and towns, and regularly visit nursing homes, work at local soup kitchens or volunteer at nearby hospices.
Business
Our business, Community Playthings, designs and manufactures furniture and play equipment in the UK for primary schools and early-years settings. Community Playthings has been creating beautiful learning environments for over 50 years.
Our products are designed to support open-ended play, making sure a child’s imagination is never limited by what they play with.
Community Playthings products are sold with an unconditional 15-year warranty, and generally last much longer than that.
The proceeds from the business support community living and our other charitable activities.