About Poiema

In August 1982, the Rev. Harry Chronis brought a church/community concept from West Virginia, which was embraced and encouraged by Mission Presbytery. Other folks in the Austin area joined forces to be the founders of this alternative community. In 1985 Poiema Presbyterian Community Inc. purchased 10.95 acres of land (5.5 miles SE of Manor, TX) and that following year the first families and individuals moved into their homes among the red cedars and post oaks. Presently there are 6 homes. Lisa Corum Fox and Judy Skaggs have also served as pastors. In 1997, Poiema purchased 26.00 more acres of adjacent land. Walking trails, benches and a Labyrinth have been added. In April 2007, Barbara McCarty, long time resident at Poiema, became the Commissioned Lay Pastor.

Poiema’s design emphasizes creative ways to be a church community through deep, committed involvement of the laity in worship, mission, and in the love and care for each other and our families. At the heart of our community is the balance between the inward and outward journeys. The inward journey includes growth in the life of meditation and contemplation rooted in scripture, growth in self-understanding, and growth in becoming a mature person in the body of Christ. The outward journey involves our commitment to be engaged in the mission of Jesus Christ. We are a seedbed for nurturing the call of God in the lives of individuals.

We continue to pursue a lifestyle sensitive to the needs of our land and global community through corporate ownership of land, sharing of daily needs, and conservation.