The Community of St Monan is a Cell of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the United Kingdom (otherwise known as the Free Church of England). By being a cell of the REC, we are able to receive Episcopal oversight from, and join in fully with the Northern Diocese. This means that we are an Episcopal, Evangelical and Liturgical group. We value the pastoral guidance of our Bishop, Bishop John Fenwick. We remain focused on spreading the good news of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We have a pattern of worship that is consistent which we believe helps to put into our mouths what we should be saying to God, even when our own words fail us.
Rule of Life
The name of the Cell shall be The Community of St Monan (CoStM). It is established as a Cell of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the United Kingdom (otherwise known as the Free Church of England) under the pastoral oversight of the Bishop of the Northern Diocese and under the patronage of St Monan. The Cell makes use of all versions of the Book of Common Prayer approved by the Reformed Episcopal Church along with the 1929 Scottish Prayer Book.
Members of the Cell shall be clergy, religious, and lay missionaries and evangelists who desire to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ in Scotland. Just as St Monan was sent by the Church as a missionary in Fife, members of the Cell shall endeavour to bring that same Gospel and Faith ever more fully to God’s people. Committed to the primacy of Holy Scripture as God’s Word written and to upholding the Faith as it has been received—“what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all”—members shall seek to witness faithfully to the Lord Jesus Christ in their work and in their lives.
Life of Faith
Members of the Cell shall continually strive to deepen their union with Christ:
Holy Communion — Members of the Cell shall strive to attend Holy Communion on all Sundays of the year and, when possible, on Feasts and Holy Days as given in the Book of Common Prayer; as well as on 1st March (St Monan).
Divine Office — Members of the Cell shall unite themselves with the unceasing prayer of the whole Church by regularly reciting the Divine Office. Where possible, Morning and Evening Prayer should be recited publicly with the people of God.
Mentorship — Members of the Cell are encouraged to meet regularly with a spiritual director or mentor to receive advice and guidance to support their growth in the Faith and encourage their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. For some Members of the Cell, use of the rite of the Reconciliation of Penitents may be suitable in this context.
Fasting and Self-Denial — Members of the Cell are encouraged to practise fasting and self-denial on the days and seasons appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, in addition to the normal fast before Holy Communion.
Prayer for the Cell — Members of the Cell who affirm this Rule shall be bound together above all by a holy obligation to pray for one another.
Rejoicing in our own salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Lord’s gracious call to us to offer ourselves in the service of his Gospel, we praise and honour his Holy Name. So, then, let us be faithful to this Rule and united in faith, hope, and charity, that together we might show forth Christ’s glory in this land.
✠ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.