Candles, quiet drumming and chanting. Anointing with oil. The breaking of bread and the sharing of wine, food and sacred story. It could be any century, any country, any community of Christ's followers. But this is a Gathering of Contemplative Fire, a fresh expression of church.
We welcome the pre- and post-church generation and spiritual searchers of any path seeking to understand the way of Christ the contemplative.
This is an invitation to a radical transformation of consciousness on the Way of Jesus: the ancient and contemporary path of unknowing and knowing, of being loved and loving, of letting go and taking hold.
Whilst Contemplative Fire attracts those from different Christian (and non-faith) backgrounds, it is accountable to and in creative dialogue with the Church of England. Wherever Contemplative Fire establishes itself as a praying, liturgical community, the blessing and partnership of local and diocesan leaders is sought. Such a context allows for two-way prayer support and the opportunity, with the inherited Church, to share and wrestle with theological, missional and pastoral issues.
Contemplative Fire resources its individual members and its network of local groups through a combination of learning materials, experiential processes, creative worship and the training and equipping of its local and national leadership.
To learn more about the activities of Contemplative Fire in your area, or to explore membership, please visit our website.
Travelling light, dwelling deep with Contemplative Fire:
A personal rhythm:
- reflective opportunities for opening to the presence of God;
- a deep sharing with others;
- a learning journey;
- costly giving: an offering of our gifts and ourselves to the wider community.
In small groups:
- threes – structured silence, deep listening and personal sharing;
- sevens – table liturgy celebrating the festivals, with stillness and response flowing from texts from the bible and spiritual writers;
- open circles – stories and pauses, with a chosen book as focus;
- prayer at the heart – Ignatian group discernment;
- still waters – quiet reflection and body prayers from the Christian tradition.
In larger groups:
- living the mystery: the way of Christ the contemplative – series of single days of theological and experiential exploration;
- gatherings in different places and spaces, for contemplative eucharist;
- pilgrimage to now/here – walking in beauty, building awareness and community;
- wisdom on the way: rhythm of life weekends and retreats – the dynamic of prayer, study and action;
- land, sea, sky: journeying at the edge – seashore conversations;
- member events celebrating our journey together as 'companions on the way': a community of Christ at the edge.