About Us

Why are we called 'The Community of the Tree of Life'?

The Tree of Life is an image found throughout the Bible. It represents God’s invitation of life in all it’s fullness to people everywhere. In Genesis the Tree of Life is found in a garden but in the book of Revelation the Tree of Life appears again, this time in the middle of a city. Like this picture our Community finds itself rooted, both in the Cathedral Gardens, and at the heart of the city. We have chosen the name to represent our calling to live a life which is rooted, flourishing and fruitful; and to pray for the blessing of the city and county of Leicester.

See I am doing a new thing!

God is bringing to birth a new monastic community right where the Grey Friars prayed and worshipped 500 years ago. We pray that our new house of prayer will bring God’s renewal and blessing in Leicester and be ‘for the healing of the nations’ in our diverse city.

Life in Leicester

Leicester is a vibrant city of diverse cultures, faiths and churches

We’re excited that our Community will live in the city centre right opposite the Cathedral. The Market and High Cross Shopping Centre are a short walk and we’re not far from the universities, Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers.

Leicester Cathedral

Leicester Cathedral is our close neighbour and the heart of the worshipping life of the Diocese. It is the resting place of Richard III whose remains were discovered in the car park just behind our building.

A prophetic sign

From the south wall of the Cathedral a water feature flows towards the tree outside our house bearing these words from the Bible: ‘Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.’ Revelation 22:1-2

'Happy are those…who delight in the law of the Lord, on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do they prosper.'

Psalm 1

Our Vision

We believe God is calling the Community of the Tree of Life into being to demonstrate a life that is rooted, flourishing and fruitful in Christ: Deeply rooted, abiding in Christ, drawing upon Him as our source of life. Committed in community, learning, laughing, crying, serving, eating, praying and sharing the simple things of life together. Fruitful as we step out into the world to give, serve, share and pray.

'My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'

John 15:8