Page 8 - C.A.L.L. #37 - Winter 2013/2014

I said that I would “explore through video and talk how a well functioning Hutterite
Colony promotes entrepreneurship, conscious capitalism and compassionate egalitarian
values. I hope to demonstrate that individualism and freedom can coexist with rules
and discipline.” Sadly, due to flight delays in getting out of Chicago, I arrived at the

conference just five minutes before the session was to start and my session was
cancelled.
Of all the aspects of colony life, I focused on work as the significant one to talk
about. I compared the colony to a beehive. The colony’s collective intent is to insure
the survival of the colony. It is through work that
individual and collective values find expression and
create results. On my return from the conference,
I read excerpts from David Spangler’s (2004)
thoughts on Findhorn in which he states that at
Findhorn WORK is LOVE in ACTION. I remember
the words from my high school graduation speech
when I was but 15 years of age, entitled: All Work
is Equally Honorable. As I watched the work of

Findhorn residents cooking, serving food, washing
dishes, cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming floors
for conference attendees, I could not help but
think that the eagerness with which they
proceeded to work had significance beyond the Ruth Lambach
actual task at hand. They were working for the
common good and for a larger purpose.
In a Hutterite Colony it is through work that you develop a sense of belonging, a
sense that work is social, playful, joyful, and meaningful. Work is something to look
forward to because it is where you can interact socially with many people and

participate in the latest gossip. Work requires discipline and awareness of time.
Through work you develop your sense of identity as you compete against others in
doing good work and developing new skills. Indeed, it is through work that you gratify
the need for individual recognition. No matter what work you do, you can do it well or
sloppily and how you work will eventually create your reputation. Individual expression
through work demonstrates your level of commitment and competence. As you grow in
your ability to work effectively, you will be rewarded by being given more and more
recognition and greater responsibilities in the colony. Work is central to your life in a
communal setting because it fulfills the need for ego satisfaction.
Abraham Maslow states that “without the transcendent and the transpersonal, we
get sick…or else hopeless and apathetic. We need something bigger than we are to be
awed by and to commit ourselves to…” Hutterites provide this to every person in the

colony. There is a place at the table for everyone and all are watching out for each
other for the common purpose of creating heaven on earth.
Ruth Baer Lambach

8