Become an intern at a women’s refuge in England

We’ve got to know the people in a community project local to us called the Catholic Worker Farm. They live in a big old house in Maple Cross, Hertfordshire (about 20 miles from central London) together with homeless female asylum seekers. They also grow organic vegetables. The team are wonderful people – we have so enjoyed getting to know them recently, but their current interns are about to leave and they are on the search for more.

The asylum seeking women that the community provides a home for are from all over the world – Ethiopia, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tunisia, Uganda and other places – and all have terrible stories of hardship. Without the Catholic Worker Farm they would be destitute – on the streets and with no government support. The community was founded by an American/Australian couple – Scott and Maria – who have chosen to open their home and lives to love and live with the poor. As well asproviding a crucial lifeline to some 12 or so women at any one time, the community takes part in political action and peace vigils (interns are not expected to do anything illegal though!).

This is an opportunity to go from words to action, to consider spending 6-12 months immersed in a radical worship lifestyle. If you are interested please get in touch and do pass this information to others in your church who might be interested. Musicademy is just down the road so you’d get to know all of us as well. You can download a poster and get further information about the internship on their website. You don’t need to be a Catholic to apply – the current Swedish interns are both members of a Baptist church. Scott has studied Theology for many years and is an amazing source of inspiration and information. I particularly like his emphasis on the reading of scripture through Jewish eyes.

Interns get food and accommodation, their own room and are expected to participate in the activities of the community full time. To be an intern means to love and support the women in many ways, other tasks may also include working in the vegetable garden, delivering the vegetable boxes they sell, picking up donations of food or building materials. As well as work, the community prays together daily, studies the Bible together, has movie nights, trips to London and other activities.

If you are interested in the work of the Catholic Worker Farm then by all means visit their website. They also have a lovely hermitage on site overlooking a lake. Its a perfect place to retreat and pray – they are very welcoming of visitors so do get in touch.