Corrymeela is a community whose aim is to nurture respectful relationships so we can live well together. Founded as an expression of Christian community, we continue to be guided by the life and teachings of Jesus. We believe that love, grace and forgiveness are necessary components for a lasting peace, but you do not need to identify as Christian to join us. We look to journey with people of all backgrounds towards a more just and integrated future.

There are many ways to be involved with Corrymeela:

            You can come to the centre with a group by booking a residential stay or day visit.
            You can volunteer at the centre as opportunities arise.
            You can participate in programmes or open events
            You can contribute financially to the work of the charity.
            You can promote Corrymeela’s programme work through your own networks.
            You can be part of a movement that enables more and more people to live well together.

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Some categories of involvement have certain expectations.

Friends of Corrymeela is a term we use for those who support the charity. This refers to those who contribute financially to our work, but also includes those who help in other ways: volunteering, running information sessions in their area, promoting Corrymeela’s work, praying for the community, etc. 

Associates are those with a significant connection to Corrymeela who choose to remain in close communication with us and to be involved in aspects of the community’s life, but who – after consultation with the Leader – realise that they cannot commit to the formal expectations of membership for the coming year. Often this is because of a lack of proximity to the centre or to other members.

Provisional members are those who use a year or two of active involvement to get to know the members, history and mission of Corrymeela well enough to determine whether they can commit to membership.

MEMBERS are those who publicly commit to being in relationships of welcome, mutual learning and respect with others in this dispersed community. Together, members have responsibility for carrying forward the story of Corrymeela as a community of hope in contrast to the destructive divisions that have marked our society.

For those considering membership, the most important work is to commit oneself to genuine relationships with other members and to active involvement in Corrymeela’s mission.

In normal practice, a commitment to membership means that members will:

• take part in regular membership gatherings: 
• volunteer in some capacity with our programmes or at the centre;
• contribute financially to the needs of the community;
• take seriously the inner work of learning from and with others;
• participate in the worship and spiritual life of the community as they feel able;
• hold themselves accountable to the commitment they make with fellow members.

Those joining or continuing in membership commit to one another at our annual Rededication Service in January using the Journey We Continue statement.

Membership is not a better category of involvement but requires a deep level of commitment. Unlike others involved in the community, members can vote at formal meetings of the charity and serve as elected members of the charity’s board of trustees, which we refer to as ‘Council’.

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If you are interested in becoming a member or have questions about this aspect of the community’s life, contact the Leader of the Corrymeela Community, Alex Wimberly (welcome@corrymeela.org).