Tis the Gift to be Simple

 

There Are Only Two Shakers Left. 

They’ve Still Got Utopia in Their Sights.

Their numbers have dwindled, but the remaining members are imagining what comes next 

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be, 

and when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;

to turn, turn will be our delight

'til by turning, turning, we come round right.

Simple Gifts Shaker Hymn Voices United 353

Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common;  they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.  Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous  hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Acts 2: 43-47 NRSVue

The total number of members and adherents for the United Church was been shrinking, shrinking, shrinking over the past few decades. This is a reality for many mainline/oldline denominations throughout North America and Europe. Many evangelical churches are shrinking as well as our society becomes less inclined toward organized anything. 

Can you imagine if you were part of a religious movement where there will only two members left, the younger in his late sixties? That's the reality for the Shaker movement, a utopian Christian organization that began roughly 250 years ago in the United States. The New York Times ran a lengthy piece about the last of the Shakers with this description of the movement: 

In 1774 a blacksmith’s daughter named Ann Lee led a small group of refugees from Manchester, England, where they had been jailed and beaten for following her heretical teachings: that God was both male and female, a Father-God and Mother-God. She taught that true virtue required sacrificing individual desires for the collective good, including total celibacy. She preached pacifism and the equality of the sexes and races. (Black Americans were welcomed as early as 1790, and communities purchased freedom for their enslaved members.) Her followers lived together in largely self-sufficient communal villages, everyone a brother and sister to one another.

It's hard to imagine any group flourishing that required celibacy of all members. The Roman Catholic Church has celibate priests, at least in principle, but members are encouraged to go forth and multiply.

The dwelling house’s chapel, with separate sides (and entrances) for men and women. Credit...Lucas Foglia for The New York Times

There is only one Shaker community left called Sabbathday Lake, home to  Brother Arnold Hadd and Sister June Carpenter. It was built when the membership was about 200 but today they are the last residents, custodians of a working farm and a museum of sorts. There are people who hold to Shaker values of simplicity, pacifism, and equality who are involved in their work and grants have come their way to sustain this historic community. 

In the Acts of the Apostles we read about the early Christian movement living by these principles. We could ask what happened over the centuries as the church repeatedly became aligned with empire, coming up with "just war" theories and amassing wealth.

 Despite the quiet hope of Brother Arnold and Sister it's likely that the Shaker movement as a living entity will end with them. The museum will continue, along with "Shaker inspired" furniture. I am grateful for their witness and the reminder of who Jesus, the Christ, calls us to be.