Peeling Back the Layers: Kathleen’s Journey to Burns Village & Farm
When you meet Kathleen, you quickly sense a life lived in service, reflection, and community. A retired hospital chaplain and social worker, a Quaker, and now a part-time seamstress, Kathleen has spent decades weaving together threads of connection, in her work, in her spiritual life, and now at Burns Village & Farm.
“I’ve always wanted to live in community,” she reflects. From her early college days studying the legacy of Black Mountain College to her time in ecumenical women’s groups and Quaker seminary, the idea of shared living, shared work, and shared growth has been her quiet compass.
Building for the Future
For Kathleen, joining Burns Village isn’t just about moving into a neighborhood; it’s about being part of something larger. She speaks candidly about her hope to live among people of all ages, not just those with “blue hair like me,” but younger families and individuals building their lives. “We need people that have children, who are in the midst of careers,” she says. “This is about creating a truly diverse community for the future”.
Letting Go to Begin Again
One of Kathleen’s most striking reflections is on what she calls “peeling the barnacles off my soul.” Over the years, she’s accumulated books, china sets, and the weight of past communities. Moving into Burns means releasing some of those things, not with sorrow, but with purpose. “I want to feel like I’m building something that’s going to reach beyond my life”.
Choosing Life Over Isolation
After the loss of a dear friend, Kathleen realized she didn’t want to “just sit in a box that’s called my house.” Instead, she wants to live fully, surrounded by neighbors she knows, engaged in the messy, beautiful work of building a village together. “Community means facing challenges, talking through them, and growing from them,” she says. “That’s the gift”.
Rooted in Place, Rooted in Hope
For Kathleen, the Tennessee land itself is part of the calling. “There’s so much wrong with this state,” she admits, “but it is so beautiful, so rich. To root the last days of my life here makes it worth investing what I have left.”
Kathleen’s story is both deeply personal and universally resonant. It’s about courage, letting go, and stepping into the unknown with faith. For anyone curious about Burns Village & Farm—whether you’re dreaming of belonging, looking for a more intentional way to live, or simply exploring what community could mean for you—her words are an invitation.
Interested in learning more about what we are creating at Burns Village and Farm?
Join us for an event or become an explorer to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
September 20th at 12:30 - 1:30
Oct 2nd at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
October 12th at 2:00 - 3:30 pm