Lazarus Community Application

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Please fill out ALL sections of the application and submit.

Email *

Choose Community Membership Type: *

Paraclete Member: Paraclete members are spiritually mature people of faith with a history of long-time involvement in a faith community. They serve as leaders in the community and as an example of living in a covenant community committed to faith, service, discipline, and mutual support. Must have one year of continuous sobriety.

Acolyte Member: Acolyte members are transitional members of the community seeking a new way of life. After completing a program of recovery and discipline, they carry the light of Christ into the world as they obtain housing outside of the community or commit to becoming a long-term paraclete member of the community. *Acolyte members will also need to sign a release with CREOKS or another organization providing case management to share certain information with the Lazarus Community.

Resident Advisor: Contact bo.ireland1234@gmail.com for more information

Name *

Phone Number *

Current Address (it's okay to put "no address") *

Occupation (it's okay to put "unemployed") *

Date of Birth *

Social Security Number *

Driver's License Number (with state) *

Name and contact of reference 1 *

Name and contact of reference 2 *

Name and contact of reference 3 *

Name of pastor or spiritual advisor (Acolyte applicants can answer this question, but it is required for Paraclete members)

Tell us about your medical history (a medical condition does not prevent you from being admitted into the community, but helps us to know how best to support you):

Tell us about your mental health history (a mental health condition or history of substance abuse does not prevent you from being admitted into the community, but helps us to know how best to support you):

Tell us about your substance abuse history (a mental health condition or history of substance abuse does not prevent you from being admitted into the community, but helps us to know how best to support you):

Tell us about your past and current involvement in faith communities (we accept persons of all faith backgrounds):

Please list 3 or more emergency contacts:

I give my permission to the Lazarus Community to run a full and complete background check and drug screening as part of my admission interview*. (If filling out online, type your name and the date. We will give you a signature page at your interview.)

*Acolyte members will also need to sign a release with CREOKS or another organization providing case management to share certain information with the Lazarus Community.

Our Rule of Life (Adapted from the Missional Wisdom Foundation Rule of Life)

PRAYERS

We will pray daily using a variety of forms of prayer including lectio divina, spoken prayer, corporate prayer, examen, intercession, journaling, meditation, and contemplation

We will engage in a fast of our choice once per week such as fasting from food, a single meal, social media, television, or habits that interfere with our relationship to God and others

PRESENCE

We will practice a contemplative stance in order to be present to God, the world, and ourselves

We will be hospitable to our neighbors in our families, neighborhoods and workplaces

We will be hospitable to our faith community through participation in our worship, fellowship and mission

GIFTS

We will honor and care for the gift of the earth and its resources, practicing ecologically responsible living, striving for simplicity rather than excessive consumption. Our community is committed to reducing waste and recycling.

We will practice generosity in sharing our material resources, including money, within and beyond this community

We will use our spiritual gifts, talents and abilities to serve God within and beyond this community

SERVICE

We will serve God and neighbor out of gratitude for the love of God

We will practice mutual accountability within the Lazarus Community

We will practice regular Sabbath as a means of renewal so that we can lovingly serve God and neighbor

WITNESS

We will practice reconciliation and relationship building with all marginalized groups in our community

We will resist evil and injustice

We will pursue peace with justice

We will share the redeeming, healing, creative love of God in word, deed and presence as an invitation to others to experience the transforming love of God

I commit to this rule of life and to the well-being of this community, out of gratitude to God who forgives, heals, and makes all things new. May my life be a blessing within and beyond God’s church, for the transformation of the world.

If you agree to this covenant, please type your name and the date below.

Please tell us why you are interested in joining our community: (Most Important Question on this application. Take your time. Be thorough.

Lazarus Community Covenant

*This covenant can be changed or amended at any time by bringing suggested changes to the Lazarus Paraclete Community meeting. Whenever possible, we strive to reach a consensus on covenant changes, but they can also be achieved by a majority vote of the community. Final changes must be approved by the Lazarus Community Board of Directors.

Option 1

COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

I understand that community membership is limited to the number of rooms available in the community, which can be occupied by a single adult person, a committed married couple, or a family unit.

I understand that all members must fill out the application and be approved for membership by the Board of Directors. This application includes a background check. Because of the limited number of rooms in the community, I am encouraged to participate in the community in other ways if I am unable to reside in the community due to availability. Priority for future residency is given to those already offering their time, gifts, and service to the community.

I will submit to an interview with the Executive Director and at least one other board member to discuss possible admission to the Lazarus Community.

If I am admitted as a member of the community, I understand there will be a trial period of one month for me to discern if I am called to commit to a six-month commitment period in the community. During this time, I will see a mental health professional and a spiritual advisor to talk through any conflicts or triggers that arise as I transition to living in a close community.

During a six-month period in the community, I understand that I serve as an example to the wider community. I will continue to receive mental health, medical health, and spiritual formation guidance on an ongoing basis.

I will give 30 days notice in the event that I am called elsewhere.

I understand that I must complete the United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries training before I can be officially admitted to the Lazarus Community. If I am already Safe Sanctuaries trained, I can send my certificate with my application. I can take this training at any time during the application process and send proof to the executive director.

SERVICE

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

I will commit to serving 5 hours per week in a designated role for the Lazarus Community mission.

In addition to these 5 hours per week, I will participate in the weekly Lazarus Community meeting and sign up for daily roles for the running of the community such as meal preparation and cleaning.

I will attend the mandatory weekly community meal and meeting each Sunday 5:00 PM-7:30 PM unless prior arrangements have been made with the Executive Director.

I will participate in continuing education courses designed for the community such as de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed practices, first aid, CPR, and food handler’s permit.

FINANCIAL

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

Each individual or family will commit to paying a $500 contribution plus a $500 refundable deposit to the Lazarus Community. If the community runs at a deficit for two months, the Board of Directors may raise this contribution to compensate for deficit spending. Any excess from community stipends will be placed in a prudent reserve fund for expenditures to be approved by the community and Board of Directors. Full or partial grants or scholarships are available to acolyte members.

I am in need of a scholarship.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

No pets or animals are allowed on premises other than visits by therapy animals provided by a designated therapy animal organization.

Drugs or alcohol of any kind are prohibited on the premises. Persons who are under the influence of non-prescribed drugs or alcohol (including taking prescription medication in a manner not prescribed) also may not be on the premises.

Prescription drugs must be taken as prescribed by a medical professional and must be kept in a lock box in resident’s room.

Orally administered medical marijuana will be permitted on a case-by-case basis agreed upon in writing. Because the smell of cannabis is a trigger for those in recovery, we do not allow marijana to be smoked by community members.

Tobacco products are permitted in designated smoking areas only. Proper disposal of tobacco waste is required.

Prescription medication must be stored in your private room and may not be left unsecured in other areas of the community.

All firearms and weapons of any kind are prohibited.

In operating a drug-free environment for all, participants in the Lazarus Community will submit to random drug testing administered on site.

VISITORS

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

I agree to not have overnight visitors and to limit guest visits to a duration that does not interfere with the operation of the community or its ministries. (Overnight or extended visits by children not living on site will be arranged on a case-by-case basis at least one week ahead of schedule.)

I will observe quiet hours from 9:00 PM until 7:00 AM.

Residents can entertain visitors (including other residents) in the common areas of the community or in their private room with the door open.

PRESENCE

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

I agree not to miss more than 2 community meetings per year unless prior arrangements have been made with the Executive Director. I will notify the Executive Director any time I cannot be present at a community meeting.

I agree not to work more than 40 hours per week outside of the community. Students need to limit themselves to 15 credit hours and 20 hours or fewer of work per semester in order to be present in the community.

Although my presence is important to the Lazarus Community, I will also take weekly sabbaths from work both outside and within the community. I will also arrange for a retreat away from the community when necessary. I will engage in self-care rituals to avoid burnout.

I will care for all Lazarus Community facilities and equipment with care and respect.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

When I have a grievance with another member of the Lazarus Community, I will follow the procedure outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 and speak directly with the person. If the conflict cannot be resolved, or I do not feel safe going to the person alone, I will ask 1-2 fellow members, which must include at least one Paraclete member, to accompany me. If the issue is not resolved and it is interfering with my participation within the community, or if it is a violation of our safety covenants, I will bring it to the attention of our abbot/executive director for resolution.

Grievances can also be addressed at our weekly community meeting.

I understand that disclosures concerning violation of our safety covenants must be taken to our Executive Director/abbot or the chairperson of our board of directors and may be kept confidential if requested.

I agree to listen respectfully when others bring a grievance to me and to practice nonviolent communication techniques when addressing grievances within the community. I will try to use “I” statements and address the problem rather than the character of the person with whom I have a grievance.

I agree to add issues that affect the entire community or constitute a change to the community covenants to the weekly community meeting agenda.

Community Hospitality Covenants

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

My private room will be kept clean and I will limit my number of belongings in a commitment to living simply. I will not hoard possessions.

I will not have candles or open flames in my private room.

I will submit to random, open-door inspections of my private room by the abbot and one additional board member.

I will remain fully clothed in all public areas outside of my private room (with the door closed) and the shower area of the locker room.

I will knock and wait for an invitation or open door before I enter another paraclete resident’s private room. I will leave the door open while in another resident’s room by invitation.

If I am exhibiting any symptoms of illness, I will wear a mask, socially distance, and remain in my private room as much as possible. I will arrange to take my meals in my room.

Residents are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated annually as recommended by a medical professional.

I will remember that all shared areas of the community are public areas and will conduct myself like I am in public. Media viewed on the shared television must be rated PG-13 or lower and must be appropriate for the age of any children present in the room.

Community Safety Covenants

Place a checkmark by each to acknowledge you have read.

I will follow all community guidelines concerning bathroom safety and shower schedules. (These vary depending on the membership of our community at any given time.)

When working with children under 18, vulnerable adults, or those over whom I have real or perceived power, I will follow all United Methodist Safe Sanctuaries guidelines.

I will not put myself at risk when engaging in the work of the Lazarus Community. I will use the buddy system when engaging in missions work. When in the building alone, I will keep the doors locked. If I feel unsafe when engaging in a task for the community, I will speak up so that a safety plan can be implemented.

I understand that firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited on the Clark Memorial UMC campus and at all Lazarus Community off-site missions and events.

I understand that use of illegal or recreational drugs or alcohol is prohibited in the community and at all off-site community missions and events

I will let other community members know my plans including places I will be, absences from the community, and planned return times so that others can ensure my safety.

If I believe that I or another member of the community (including our extended community) is in danger of hurting themselves or another person, I will immediately report this to our abbott/executive director. If this person is unavailable, I will report to our board chair or spiritual director. In case of an immediate emergency, I will dial 911 and contact law enforcement.

I will not discriminate against any person based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, class, sexual orientation, housing, or any other status.

I will not engage in sexual harassment or exploitation of another person. Sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex in exchange for aid, benefit, or service of the recipient; unwelcome sex conduct; Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to full participation in our community; Unwelcome or offensive sexual innuendo; Subtle pressure for sexual activity or coercion to date; Sexist remarks or jokes about a person's body, physical appearance, or privatelife; Degrading remarks, posters, pictures, photographs, cartoons, drawings, graffiti, or other objects in the community that contribute to an intimidating work or educational environment; Touching, making improper or unwelcome advances or propositions; or Abusive, crude, or vulgar language with sexual implications

I will not access pornography of any kind on any shared electronic devices or any of my personal electronics while residing in the community. Possession of pornography of any kind is prohibited on the property.

I will not engage in any illegal activity, including Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.

I will not engage in any violent behavior including physical violence, name calling, threats, or physical intimidation.

I understand that violations of the Lazarus Community safety covenants may result in immediate invitation to peacefully leave from the community. If I am accused of violation of these covenants but deny them, I must find alternative housing until a hearing conducted by our board of directors can be held. If I do not vacate the premises peacefully and attempts at de-escalation are unsuccessful, law enforcement or child protective services may be notified.

I commit to following all Lazarus Paraclete Community covenants to the best of my ability and strive to create a community of mutual respect and support through these covenants.

Type your name in the date.

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.

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