Help Mick to Build Community
Donation protected
Dear reader,
OK, are you ready? I’m going to lay myself bare. I am asking for donations to help me to train in Germany, to be a Minister/Priest of The Christian Community; a movement connected with the work of the Austrian Philosopher, Rudolf Steiner.
Now…this is a huge personal challenge for me…for 2 reasons:
Firstly, asking for money is a severe sore point for me… one of my greatest fears! My stomach knots up, my words falter, I feel seriously unwell. Self doubt takes over.
Secondly, admitting to the world that I am training to be a Minister/Priest makes me almost break out in a cold sweat.
Christianity, in the culture I come from, is the epitome of unfashionable. Out of touch. A belief system blind to the victories of modern science. Richard Dawkins compared religious belief to believing in fairies at the bottom of the garden.
So why would you give money to a person who gave up his financial security and took his family across to world to train to be a priest…of all things?!
Believe me, it’s a question I asked myself many times before I made the leap.
But first…a quick backstory….
Discovering the work of Rudolf Steiner came at the end of several years of intense searching. I didn't know exactly what it was I was looking for but I read spiritual literature from various traditions voraciously...seeking answers to life's big questions. Is there a meaning to life? Are we just made of matter? Is the world here due to blind chance? Does my life have a purpose?
Delving into Steiner’s work, I was struck by the clarity of thought, the scientific approach, the moral logic, a clear path towards understanding oneself and being able to effectively deal with life and other people as they are. I saw working with these thoughts as a step towards inner peace, peace between others and ultimately world peace.
Then one day, while waiting for a train on a cold, cloudy day at Collingwood train station in Melbourne, I read these words in an old book of lectures by Rudolf Steiner:
"Will you do everything in your power for the positive evolution of humanity?"
Something rose up inside me as response to this and answered with a very firm "Yes" which filled me with a certain warmth, fire and joyfulness. I didn't fully realise it then, but I had made a firm decision.
So how is The Christian Community relevant in the modern world?
The world today is dealing with an epidemic of fear, anxiety and depression which is ravaging our communities. The causes of this are due, in part, to our feelings of disconnect with others, with overwhelm regarding how busy life has become, our feelings of hopelessness in the face of modern problems and a lack of true community life.
I see that the training I am currently undertaking, can bring an antidote to the sense of hopelessness many people feel in our age.
Through artistic activity, writing, speaking, engaging with others, developing our own gifts, living with the sacraments and facing our weaknesses, the training seeks to deepen our understanding of the human as a being of body, soul and spirit, and enables us to become true helpers of our fellow human beings and also work to build community.
I think most people, deep down, yearn to live an authentic life that’s true to who they really are. But how to do this in today's world with the trappings of busy-ness, overwhelm and obligations to work, family and culture?
My goal is to help people to navigate through this maze of hopelessness and confusion and help them to live the life they were truly meant to live.
I want to support people through life’s ups and downs; its joys and its crises. I want to be a witness and companion to their striving and their search for a true purpose in life…to help people find the quiet in which to see more clearly their destinies.
This is what I want to devote my life to.
For those unfamiliar with the Christian Community, here’s a quick rundown.
In the early 20th Century, Rudolf Steiner, in response to the concerns of a group of young theologians regarding the state of modern spiritual life, helped to develop a new form of spiritual practice, suited to modern life.
It evolved from the lesser known, deeply spiritual, mystical Christianity, which is full of insights about reincarnation and advice for meditation. It seeks to help a person be more effective in the world and at the same time, develop spiritually, while leaving each person uniquely free to choose their own way.
It is an intellectually satisfying, soul-nourishing, freedom-championing Christianity. A movement which rejects dogma and encourages complete freedom of belief. The Priests are free to teach from their own life experience. Women have been ordained since the beginning of the movement in 1922. It is a place where personal development meets artistic expression, where community is developed through a shared striving to see the human being as more than just nature’s greatest accident.
Fast forward 12 years...
So, in May 2014, my wife Emily and I, with our two small children, took a giant leap of faith. We sold our house and belongings and jetted off from Melbourne, Australia in order for me to study at the Christian Community Seminary in Hamburg, Germany.
We took some big risks to make this happen! After 2 years of dealing with the challenges of settling a family into a new country, culture, language, schools, kindergartens and work, along with some big health and financial challenges, I finally began my studies in April of last year. I feel now, that I am truly on my path
We need your help!
In addition to my study, Emily and I are both working. I am a performing/recording artist and we have an online business in music education BUT currently our income is not enough to fully support ourselves. Thus far, we have relied on our savings, some funding and donations from friends, family and community members.
If you are willing, here’s how you can help! I would like to offer you the opportunity to support my training over the next 2 years, through a donation.
Your financial support will mean that I can pay for my study fees and help with the increase in our living expenses, including our rather hefty health insurance, which is compulsory in Germany for foreigners (for a full breakdown, see below).
Any donations, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and gratefully accepted.
Now…this is what I would like to do for you:
I will be posting regular updates in the form of a video diary where I will talk about what I’ve been studying and working on and also something about life in Hamburg.
Thank you very much for reading, and if you do decide to sponsor me in any way...I send you my heartfelt thanks in advance.
Warmest wishes
Mick, Emily, Jude and Eva
For those of you who would like to know exactly how your donation would be spent, please email me at [email redacted]
OK, are you ready? I’m going to lay myself bare. I am asking for donations to help me to train in Germany, to be a Minister/Priest of The Christian Community; a movement connected with the work of the Austrian Philosopher, Rudolf Steiner.
Now…this is a huge personal challenge for me…for 2 reasons:
Firstly, asking for money is a severe sore point for me… one of my greatest fears! My stomach knots up, my words falter, I feel seriously unwell. Self doubt takes over.
Secondly, admitting to the world that I am training to be a Minister/Priest makes me almost break out in a cold sweat.
Christianity, in the culture I come from, is the epitome of unfashionable. Out of touch. A belief system blind to the victories of modern science. Richard Dawkins compared religious belief to believing in fairies at the bottom of the garden.
So why would you give money to a person who gave up his financial security and took his family across to world to train to be a priest…of all things?!
Believe me, it’s a question I asked myself many times before I made the leap.
But first…a quick backstory….
Discovering the work of Rudolf Steiner came at the end of several years of intense searching. I didn't know exactly what it was I was looking for but I read spiritual literature from various traditions voraciously...seeking answers to life's big questions. Is there a meaning to life? Are we just made of matter? Is the world here due to blind chance? Does my life have a purpose?
Delving into Steiner’s work, I was struck by the clarity of thought, the scientific approach, the moral logic, a clear path towards understanding oneself and being able to effectively deal with life and other people as they are. I saw working with these thoughts as a step towards inner peace, peace between others and ultimately world peace.
Then one day, while waiting for a train on a cold, cloudy day at Collingwood train station in Melbourne, I read these words in an old book of lectures by Rudolf Steiner:
"Will you do everything in your power for the positive evolution of humanity?"
Something rose up inside me as response to this and answered with a very firm "Yes" which filled me with a certain warmth, fire and joyfulness. I didn't fully realise it then, but I had made a firm decision.
So how is The Christian Community relevant in the modern world?
The world today is dealing with an epidemic of fear, anxiety and depression which is ravaging our communities. The causes of this are due, in part, to our feelings of disconnect with others, with overwhelm regarding how busy life has become, our feelings of hopelessness in the face of modern problems and a lack of true community life.
I see that the training I am currently undertaking, can bring an antidote to the sense of hopelessness many people feel in our age.
Through artistic activity, writing, speaking, engaging with others, developing our own gifts, living with the sacraments and facing our weaknesses, the training seeks to deepen our understanding of the human as a being of body, soul and spirit, and enables us to become true helpers of our fellow human beings and also work to build community.
I think most people, deep down, yearn to live an authentic life that’s true to who they really are. But how to do this in today's world with the trappings of busy-ness, overwhelm and obligations to work, family and culture?
My goal is to help people to navigate through this maze of hopelessness and confusion and help them to live the life they were truly meant to live.
I want to support people through life’s ups and downs; its joys and its crises. I want to be a witness and companion to their striving and their search for a true purpose in life…to help people find the quiet in which to see more clearly their destinies.
This is what I want to devote my life to.
For those unfamiliar with the Christian Community, here’s a quick rundown.
In the early 20th Century, Rudolf Steiner, in response to the concerns of a group of young theologians regarding the state of modern spiritual life, helped to develop a new form of spiritual practice, suited to modern life.
It evolved from the lesser known, deeply spiritual, mystical Christianity, which is full of insights about reincarnation and advice for meditation. It seeks to help a person be more effective in the world and at the same time, develop spiritually, while leaving each person uniquely free to choose their own way.
It is an intellectually satisfying, soul-nourishing, freedom-championing Christianity. A movement which rejects dogma and encourages complete freedom of belief. The Priests are free to teach from their own life experience. Women have been ordained since the beginning of the movement in 1922. It is a place where personal development meets artistic expression, where community is developed through a shared striving to see the human being as more than just nature’s greatest accident.
Fast forward 12 years...
So, in May 2014, my wife Emily and I, with our two small children, took a giant leap of faith. We sold our house and belongings and jetted off from Melbourne, Australia in order for me to study at the Christian Community Seminary in Hamburg, Germany.
We took some big risks to make this happen! After 2 years of dealing with the challenges of settling a family into a new country, culture, language, schools, kindergartens and work, along with some big health and financial challenges, I finally began my studies in April of last year. I feel now, that I am truly on my path
We need your help!
In addition to my study, Emily and I are both working. I am a performing/recording artist and we have an online business in music education BUT currently our income is not enough to fully support ourselves. Thus far, we have relied on our savings, some funding and donations from friends, family and community members.
If you are willing, here’s how you can help! I would like to offer you the opportunity to support my training over the next 2 years, through a donation.
Your financial support will mean that I can pay for my study fees and help with the increase in our living expenses, including our rather hefty health insurance, which is compulsory in Germany for foreigners (for a full breakdown, see below).
Any donations, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and gratefully accepted.
Now…this is what I would like to do for you:
I will be posting regular updates in the form of a video diary where I will talk about what I’ve been studying and working on and also something about life in Hamburg.
Thank you very much for reading, and if you do decide to sponsor me in any way...I send you my heartfelt thanks in advance.
Warmest wishes
Mick, Emily, Jude and Eva
For those of you who would like to know exactly how your donation would be spent, please email me at [email redacted]
Organizer
Mick Young
Organizer
Lucas VIC
