The practice of being fully present to the mystical presence of God – in heart, mind and body. As such it is a deep form of listening to better connect ourselves with the divine love of God, and often in silence. It is a form of heart-centred knowing, seeking to reach beyond our false-ego-selves, to our true-selves. Christian mystics, mendicants and monastics have focused on contemplative prayer for nearly two thousand years beginning with desert contemplative spirituality. We seek to draw on these ancient practices to inform our Christian spiritual lives in the reality of the twenty first century.

Drawing on the words of the Great Commandment of Jesus, we are called to learn to receive the love of God, to learn to love ourselves, to be able to love other.

Our contemplation in times of being in-person or online through: contemplative daily prayer, meditation, sunday evening contemplative Services, a chant Eucharist, said and sung Compline, and a Taize sung chant services.

We believe in being an inclusive community – that celebrates and affirms everyone and does not discriminate on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We seek to be a participative community focusing on unity in diversity and shared governance.

We are open to new ideas & perspectives. We believe in a ‘mixed ecology’ where different expressions of Christian spirituality, theology and faith coexist.

We strive to be generous in our thinking, our welcome and our service to our local community and visitors alike.

We celebrate the liturgical, monastic, prayer, sacramental and musical traditions. We learn from the past and we reimagine the future.

We seek to explore a way of living this rhythm in the context of our own lives but with the support of being a spiritual community with four areas:

1. Prayer and Devotion:
The practice of prayer (in listening and in stillness; in silence and aloud; individually and in community; daily and within a weekly rhythm). The practice of devotion (in meditation; in contemplation; in leading and participating in communal worship; and in the giving of time and resources).

2. Learning and Reconciliation
The practice of learning (in dialogue; in biblical and personal reflection; in reading and study; in spiritual direction and retreats; and in the understanding of prayer practices). The practice of reconciliation (by listening to God and to others; by continually choosing to forgive; by sharing hope and love; and through humility and peace-making).

3. Service and Hospitality
The practice of serving others (by responding in compassionate action to the social, spiritual and ecological needs of our neighbours, the voiceless, the poor and the excluded). The practice of hospitality (by welcoming the stranger, the isolated and the lonely; through eating and drinking together; by celebrating and lamenting together; and by being the guest of others).

4. Work and Wellbeing
The practice of following Christ in our work (by seeking to serve God through our work, and by integrating the values of our faith in our places of work). The practice of maintaining our wellbeing (by receiving the love of God; by balancing work, rest and play, by pursuing activities that give life; by seeking the good, the true and the beautiful in all we do).

One community different individual journeys

The spiritual journey has many different significant points. In our community there are five different spaces of the spiritual journey:

Seekers – space for those who want to explore Christian spirituality by being part of community who do not identify as being followers. Those who choose this space journey with the community practicing openness, honesty and vulnerability in this time of spiritual exploration.

Explorers - space for those who are followers of the way of Jesus who seek to travel with the community to see if this form of spiritual community is right for them. Some have left forms of church or simply want to find a deeper form of Christian spirituality to participate in. Those in this space will be encouraged to consider becoming participants if this community is right for them.

Dispersed Participants – are those who are Christians following the spiritual path of Jesus who make annual promises or vows to the community’s rhythm of life and are encouraged to pray at least once a day, join in prayer online or in person, and to commit to joining the wednesday gatherings, attend the Sunday Evening Service online or in person, and to gather for the monthly Eucharists and socials.

Local Participants - are also those who are Christians and followers of the spiritual path of Jesus. These also make annual promises or vows to the community’s rhythm of Life. Because they live nearby, the are expected to attend the daily prayers in person regularly including the Wednesday evening gatherings, attend Sunday Evening Services in person, and contribute to leading aspects of the spiritual activities and services.