THE BEGINNINGS...Up in the Green Mountains of Vermont something has been happening. For twenty years something has been happening. For over five thousand people something has been happening.

That happening is called "KOINONIA".

KOINONIA is a Greek word found in the New Testament, used by the Apostles, to mean a community of believers meeting in fellowship - fellowship with each other, but a special fellowship, for the Lord of Life is at the center. It is you caring about me and me caring about you and we together feeling God's love and care.

Thirty years ago, Lutheran Pastor Paul G. Alberti and his wife Dorothy had an idea for believers of all faiths. It grew out of the words of Christ who said, "I have come that you may have life - life in all its fullness."

With help from the scriptures the Albertis defined "life in all its fullness" as the interrelationship of mind, body and spirit. That's another way of saying "Wellness" which is an operative word KOINONIA.

With the goal in mind of fusing the mind, body and spirit into service to man and God, the Albertis built a chalet in Vermont. There they were able to bring together outdoor activities, study, fellowship and worship. Things were slow at first, but as word spread of the wonders of the program, more people came to learn how to tune in their bodies and their minds to become effective servants of God. Today people are housed in the comfortable facilities of an Alpine Lodge called the Blue Gentian, where they continue relief from stress, relief from unwanted appetites, and a path to new relationships.