Children playing musical instruments outdoors at a sanctuary event.

Community of Peace

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2002

What we do

Community of Peace: A Monastic Forest Sanctuary
The Vision: Community of Peace is an ecumenical, Christ-centered intentional community on 250 acres of sacred forest in Louisa, Virginia. Our life is built on Radical Welcoming, Sung Prayer, and Land Stewardship. We offer a contemplative home for those seeking to live in a mindful rhythm with the land.
The Heart of our Work: Sanctuary of Sound. Our current focus is the creation of a professional outdoor musical forest park designed as a neuro-inclusive haven for children and families. We are currently preparing the land and utilizing fallen timber from our own woods for our installations.
The Daily Rhythm: Life follows a gentle monastic flow inspired by the Taize tradition. We gather 3 times daily (8am, 1pm, 7pm) for meditation and sung prayer. We observe daily periods of quiet and gather every evening for a shared community supper and dialogue.
Sacred Exchange: We invite volunteers into a 20-hour-per-week service rhythm. Current roles include Forest Stewardship (clearing trails), Animal Care (tending to our chickens and puppy), and Hearth-keeping (preparing community meals).

Our Mission

Our mission is to welcome people into a beautiful sung prayer for peace; to engage in meaningful dialogue for peacemaking; and to serve the most vulnerable in society.
Our Vision: To be a sacred sanctuary for all, where young people engage in song, silence, and dialogue to develop as resilient peacemakers, better prepared to serve the vulnerable and move into the world with joy and unity.
Core Values:
Nourishment: We feed the spirit through song and sacred space.
Harmony: We seek unity through the beauty of music and diversity.
Hospitality: We offer a judgment-free welcome to all people.
Reconciliation: We practice peace through listening and non-violent communication.
Service: We prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Coliving
  • Ecovillage
  • Commune
  • Activities
  • Farming
  • Experiences
  • Networking

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2002
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2022
  • Started living together
  • 0 Total member
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
8

How to join

The path into our community is a gradual unfolding:
The Visiting Server (Sacred Exchange): For those staying a week or more. By offering 20 hours of weekly service to the land, you receive the gift of the sanctuary in return.
The Discernment Residency: A three-month season of Mutual Discernment to see if our daily labors and silences harmonize into a shared life.
Committed Residency: By mutual agreement, one may be invited to stay as a permanent Resident, tending the land and the silence for the Long Song.
The Monastic Path: A sacred vocation recognized after an extended season of residency and spiritual maturity.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

How to Visit: We welcome seekers, volunteers, and those in need of retreat to experience the rhythm of our forest sanctuary. Because we maintain a monastic schedule of prayer and silence, we ask that all visits be coordinated in advance.
Explore Our Vision: Before reaching out, we invite you to visit our website at communityofpeace.org to learn more about our Sacred Exchange program and the Sanctuary of Sound project.
Reach Out: When you are ready to inquire, please navigate to our Inquiry Page (communityofpeace.org/inquire) to call or text us. This allows you to speak with Br. Stefan or the community to discuss your stay.
What to Expect: You will be invited into our daily life of three-fold sung prayer and communal meals. We look forward to welcoming you exactly as you are.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Consent-Based (Sociocracy)

Decisions proceed unless someone has a reasoned objection.

Governance structure

  • Sociocratic/Circle-Based

Organized in circles or domains with distributed authority.

Conflict resolution approach

A Wide Welcome: We do not require a specific religious alignment—only a desire for joyful living and a sincere search for Something Greater.
Collaborative Voice: All residents and interns are invited to our weekly House Meetings. We believe in the power of the collective voice to shape our communal life.
Consensus and Guidance: Our first path is always toward shared agreement (Consensus). If a clear consensus cannot be reached, final direction is provided by the Council or Br. Stefan to ensure the health of our mission remains the priority.

Economic model

  • Partial Income-Sharing

Members contribute a percentage of income to community funds.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation

Additional economic information

Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Yes (20 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Swimming pond or pool, Large Scale Kitchen, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Waterfront access, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • Approximately all meals

Community activities and engagement

  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Organization, Resource, or Network
  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies

Gender composition

  • Majority cis (over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Multi-generational (all ages well represented)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Community Land Trust or some other kind of nonprofit

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Coliving

    Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
    kitchens, dining, and social areas.

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

  • Commune

    Communal living with shared resources, property, and often income or work responsibilities

  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

    Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Livestock / poultry
  • Land area size
    250 acres

Guest Book

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Location

  • Virginia, United States

Community of Peace

Needs and Offers

Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
Need
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Promoted
  • Events
3 weeks ago

Healing Love Healing Money: Trust As The Foundation For A New Culture

Money, love and power are among the hardest things any community works with, and many of us carry the same fears into both: not having enough, losing what we have, and the sense that if someone else gets money or love, we won’t. Healing Love, Healing Money: Trust as the Foundation for a New Culture is taught by two intentional communities. Karen McAllister and Duncan Cryle are from Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Center, a Buddhist-lineage community in the BC Rockies. Monika Alleweldt and Benjamin von Mendelssohn from Tamera Healing Biotope, a community of about 160 people in southern Portugal that has spent decades studying love, trust and relationship. Clear Sky has spent years working on its relationship with money, and our two communities found surprising parallels in the fears beneath both. Over four sessions we explore the roots of fear around money and belonging, love, possession and power, trust as infrastructure (community as a container for healing), and ethical livelihood. We use short meditations, body-based practices, reflection and small-group conversation. You do not need to be in a romantic relationship or live in community. When: October 27, Nov 3, 10, 17. All four sessions: 12–2pm Vancouver, 1–3pm Alberta, 7–9pm UK and Portugal, 8–10pm Central Europe. Note: US and some Canadian provinces change clocks on November 1, so the US west coast is 12–2pm on October 27, then 11am–1pm for the remaining sessions, and Eastern is 3–5pm on October 27, then 2–4pm for the rest. Cost: sliding scale Details and registration: https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/healing-love-healing-money-online/  
October 27, 2026 13:00 – November 17, 2026 15:00
Need
  • Communities with Openings
1 week ago

Needs: Quiet nature focused community with work exchange

About Me Hello, I’m Nanu. I’m 46 years old in need of a peaceful, nature-centered community where I can contribute, maintain my independence, and potentially establish a long-term home. I’m autistic and sometimes experience periods when I’m nonverbal. I appreciate direct communication, clear expectations, and people who respect different communication styles without making assumptions. I’m independent, value personal boundaries, and do best in environments where people can coexist comfortably without constant social interaction. The Environment I’m Seeking I’m looking for a wooded, green setting with mature trees, grass, and access to nature. Forests, trails, gardens, and peaceful outdoor spaces are important to me. I’d prefer a region with relatively mild winters, avoiding both desert landscapes and areas with harsh, snowy winters. Privacy is essential. I’m interested in a residential community where people respect one another’s space and participation in social activities is optional. I’m not looking for a retreat center, event venue, or community that regularly hosts outside groups, workshops, classes, or large gatherings on the residential property. Occasional visitors are understandable, but I prefer a quiet environment where residents can enjoy their homes without a constant flow of people coming and going. Work Exchange and Housing I’m interested in exchanging practical work for housing. Possible contributions include community gardening, planting, watering, harvesting, kitchen assistance, meal preparation, property upkeep, and other mutually agreed-upon tasks. I’d like the responsibilities, schedule, and expectations clearly established in advance. A trial stay or introductory period would be ideal so both sides can determine whether the arrangement is a good fit. Potential for Long-Term Ownership My longer-term goal is to explore purchasing a small home, a defined parcel of land, or a legally documented ownership interest in an established cooperative community. I have limited savings available for a potential investment and want to use those funds carefully toward lasting housing stability. I’m not interested in vague promises of future ownership or arrangements that depend entirely on one person’s continued involvement. I’d want clear documentation of ownership rights, decision-making, ongoing expenses, and what happens if a resident leaves or the community dissolves. I’m also not interested in traditional HOA-style arrangements or unpredictable fees. Reasonable, transparent shared expenses are open for discussion. Community Culture I’m looking for people who value mutual respect, personal autonomy, honest communication, and practical cooperation. I appreciate companionship but also need quiet and solitude. I don’t expect everyone to share my interests, only to respect one another’s boundaries. What I’d Like to Know If your community offers work exchange, a private and peaceful living environment, wooded surroundings, and a realistic possibility of long-term housing or ownership, I’d love to hear from you. Please share information about your location, climate, current residents, available housing, work-exchange expectations, visitor policies, ongoing costs, and potential ownership arrangements. I’d like to visit and get acquainted before making any commitments. My goal is to find a genuine mutual fit. Thank you for reading!

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