Welcome to the Contemplative Network

Across all churches, many people, young and old, from every ethnicity, female and male are searching for an intimate walk with God whilst deeply committed to making a practical contribution to their neighbourhood. Passionate about justice, they seek a resurgence of the Holy Spirit across these islands. The Contemplative Network issues a call to all such people to collaborate in an inspirational community that Encounters Christ, Enriches Cultures and Emancipates the Oppressed.

Living as contemplative activists, we seek to journey faithfully with God through all of life knowing that we cannot and will not, journey alone; we gather together in church and as a wider network. This network is both a virtual and a realised Community. Virtual in that many individual members primarily connect via this website, whilst others are exploring various forms of realised community life in their local geography. The Network exists to inspire, encourage and support all expressions of contemplative activism.

Contemplative Activism combines two ideas; firstly, the essential, yet often lost art, of drawing aside with God for prayer. This so often becomes little more than habitual action and most often is primarily made up of our human voices carrying concerns to God with little space to pause and listen to what God might be saying to us. Contemplation provides a door to discovering so much more about ourselves, each other, God and his ways.

However, there is a danger having ascended the heights through Contemplation, we may never return and make our descent back into the streets of chaos within which we are called to carry out the mission of God. Secondly, therefore, we seek to live out prayer by rolling up our sleeves and serving the needs of the surrounding community. The Contemplative Activist develops this rhythm of ascent and descent in living the spirit filled life.

Opportunities are provided for everyone across the Network to enjoy personal interaction on retreat and pilgrimage, a visit to St Francis Friary in Southsea or through one of the specific courses hosted by the Contemplative Network (see the Events page). Indeed retreat, pilgrimage and lifelong learning are core to the life and practice of all those within the Network.