A contemplative stance
A contemplative stance to life and faith has much to offer both guides and pilgrims, involving as it does prayerful attentiveness to all dimensions of our lives, including: our interior self, our relationships, creation, and to our God. Such a stance is clearly echoed through the psalms, the life of Jesus, the desert fathers and mothers, and throughout church history. Far more than a project of spiritual self-improvement, it is Jesus’ radical invitation to come into relationship, to find rest for our souls, and to participate in his radical kingdom agenda. It is to be reminded that everything in life flows out from God and back into God; a remembering that comes through being still and coming again and again to “know that I am God.” Anchored in God, our personhood in-Christ, we become more alive, authentic and fully human, we awaken to our true identity and purposeful vocation, and we actively live God’s presence in our world. And with more inner spaciousness there is more room for God in the encounter.
The contemplative stance, with its balance of solitude and action, can be nurtured through a heart of prayer, prayerful engagement with scripture, participation in a community of faith, retreats, and spiritual direction.
A contemplative praxis then engages us in a continuing cycle of prayer – reflection – scripture – worship – accountability – and action.
Contemplative praxis—prayer and action in the unique context in which we find ourselves.
Program
How often have we prayed, individually and in unison: ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’? Has there been an opportunity for this prayer to become priority for our life-faith journey – in our prayer, in our reflection, in our worship, in our deep listening and in our action? The five gatherings are invitations to further explore these questions as we journey with Jesus more deeply into the heart of God and at the same time, into the small part of the world which is uniquely our own living experience.
These gatherings will invite you into contemplative prayer practices in the midst of life. There will be opportunities for the experience of lectio divina, composition of place, the examen, a silent retreat, spiritual direction and application to engagement with the community.
The program will emphasise the primacy of our relationship with God that deepens our relationship with others and all of creation; different forms of prayer and of prayerful attitude, the development of interior freedom and external justice, and attentiveness to the movement of God’s Spirit in all areas of our lives. The focus is prayerful, reflective and contemplative.
Dates 2025
7 June Saturday 10am-3pm
Exploring the contemplative stance, attending to the everyday and an experience of contemplative listening. Praying the kingdom.
14 June Saturday 10am-3pm
Moving deeper into the heart of God:
Contemplative Prayer, praying with scripture
Contemplative Praxis—theological reflection to inform our everyday life and actions.
Friday evening to Sunday afternoon 20-22June
Retreat at Marian Valley, 2541 Beechmont Rd Witheren or Nazarene College, Thornlands
28 June Saturday 10am-1pm
Living contemplatively in today’s world.
Formation Team
The Stillpoint formation team are from both protestant and catholic backgrounds with training in formation and education. All are members of the Conference of Spiritual Directors (Australia).
Leaders
Irene Alexander has a background in psychology, counselling, discipleship, tertiary education and spiritual direction. Irene trained in spiritual direction both in Brisbane and at the Mercy Centre in San Francisco.
Liz Gaynor was a minister with the Church of the Nazarene and now has a ministry in the Uniting Church at the Sunshine Coast. She completed the Listening into Life spiritual direction formation in NSW. She has written a book called A Reflective Life.
Craig Sadler has been a minister for over 20 years, and is currently the minister for leadership and formation with the Churches of Christ, Queensland as well as a formator with the Australian College of Ministry. Craig trained as a spiritual director with Stillpoint.
And others from the Stillpoint team.
These gatherings are open to all who are interested in exploring their own contemplative practice and they also form one of the pre-requisites for those considering Spiritual Direction formation (a 2 year course).
Contact
Those interested in the formation course should contact info@stillpointcentre.com.au
Venue
Broadwater Road Uniting Church 481 Broadwater Road, Wishart
Retreat at Marian Valley Retreat Centre, Witheren or Nazarene College, Thornlands
Reference Group
Jill Manton, Patrick Oliver, Dawn Courtman, Charles Ringma, Elaine Smith
Cost
Contemplative Prayer module: $480, including the retreat.
For explanation of centering prayer see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWvxwfN_CE