A dispersed monastic community within the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Rule of the Community of Nazareth
The Rule of the Community of Nazareth sets out the way of life shared by the Community. It describes how prayer, stability, obedience, and conversion of life are lived within a dispersed monastic fellowship, rooted in the Anglican tradition and fully engaged in parish and ordinary life. The Rule is theological rather than procedural, offering a framework for discernment rather than a checklist of obligations. It exists to support faithfulness, not to measure success.
What the Rule Is
The Rule expresses the heart and vision of the Community.
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It draws on the Benedictine tradition, the hidden life of Christ at Nazareth, and the Anglican inheritance of common prayer and sacramental life. It names the values that shape our life together and the commitments we seek to live over time.
The Rule is intended to be read slowly, prayerfully, and generously.
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What the Rule Is Not
The Rule is not a rulebook in the modern sense.
It is not a set of minimum requirements, nor a tool for comparison or self-judgment. It does not assume uniform circumstances, intensity of practice, or uninterrupted faithfulness. Instead, it offers a shared orientation to which members return again and again, especially in times of difficulty, change, or uncertainty.
The Rule is received as a guide toward freedom.
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How the Rule Is Used
Members of the Community return to the Rule regularly.
It is used in prayer, reflection, and conversation, helping members discern how to live faithfully within their own circumstances. The Rule works alongside the Customary and the Statutes: together they shape the Community’s spiritual vision, daily practice, and common order.
The Rule shapes the heart; it does not replace conscience, pastoral care, or parish life.
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Who the Rule Is For
The Rule is written for those who feel drawn to a monastic way of life lived in the midst of the world.
Some who read it are exploring a possible vocation within the Community; others find it helpful as a companion for prayer and reflection, even if they are not called to formal commitment.
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Curiosity is welcome.​