ElderSpirit Community

. . . . . is a cohousing community for mixed income elders (55 and over) located on 3.7 acres alongside the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia. Its distinctive characteristics are mutual support through the aging process and late-life spirituality. Members believe that spiritual growth is the primary work of those in the later stages of life. Agreeing that freedom of religion is fundamental, they encourage one another in the search for meaning and commitment to a spiritual path. Through face-to-face relationships they offer and receive support, express their needs and convictions, listen carefully to each other, and strive to act responsibly, considering their good and the good of the other.

Thirteen of the cluster houses belong to owners; sixteen homes are for renters, who must qualify as moderate- to low-income according to the government guidelines. Many community activities take place in the Common House, which includes a kitchen and dining room, meeting rooms, library, art studio and guest rooms. Our Spirit Center is a special place for prayer, meditation, and celebrations.

Resident management is one of the fundamental principles of cohousing. We at ElderSpirit prefer the term Community Service, which is defined as the maintenance of the common property and the care of one another. Our basic requirement is participation in one or more committees or work groups. Monthly meetings of residents are run by consensus.

We who live in ElderSpirit are deeply committed to mutual support and will cooperate and help each other as we are able. As we age we will still be able to contribute to community service, which helps us lower maintenance costs and encourages the building of relationships in working with one another.

Each resident member of the community is expected to volunteer according to one’s ability and preference and the needs of the community at that time. Men and women are encouraged to share community service roles equally. The community will seek ways to work together as a group, while allowing people the space to participate according to individual preferences.

To contact us, call Catherine Rumschlag, 192 Highland Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, 276-619-5544, or Email crumschlag@embarqmail.com. For more information, consult our web site: www.elderspirit.org. The page titled “If this sounds like you…” lists documents that are important for deciding if ElderSpirit Community is a place that you wish to pursue for your future. The document “Application Process” gives the steps to get on the waiting list. We are pleased to welcome visitors.

Revised October, 2010