Koinonia
A DOCUMENTARY PORTRAIT
Koinonia was founded in 1951 as an ecumenical training center.
This sometimes-community, sometimes-educational institution
has always been focused on spiritual and personal development.
This sometimes-community, sometimes-educational institution
has always been focused on spiritual and personal development.
In the 1970s and 1980s, people came to Koinonia
for short periods of time to explore personal development,
spiritual disciplines, and community living.
for short periods of time to explore personal development,
spiritual disciplines, and community living.
Accompanied by original music, the camera observes
the changing of the seasons in a community close to nature,
touching on celebration and a sense of transcendence.
the changing of the seasons in a community close to nature,
touching on celebration and a sense of transcendence.
Located in the Greenspring Valley north of Baltimore,
community members are seen farming in their organic garden,
sharing meals, participating in spiritual and holistic disciplines,
and conducting educational workshops and seminars.
community members are seen farming in their organic garden,
sharing meals, participating in spiritual and holistic disciplines,
and conducting educational workshops and seminars.
Koinonia is from the Greek word meaning "shared fellowship."
The DVD of this doumentary is dedicated to the memory of Dick Folkenstein
Drawing by Johanna Lawrence
Michael Lawrence, long-time community member,
composer and filmmaker, documents the group search
for meaning in life through daily work, meditation,
the arts, and group interaction.
composer and filmmaker, documents the group search
for meaning in life through daily work, meditation,
the arts, and group interaction.
Written, Produced and Directed by Michael R. Lawrence
