A series of talks on silent prayer and contemplative living in today's world, led by Kerry Holland, Richard Cogswell and Thomas-Andrew Baxter.

This series is intended to offer people the opportunity to hear about and experience silent prayer and the Christian contemplative life. Each meeting is led by someone experienced with the contemplative life and includes one or more talks with some time devoted to silent prayer. The speakers are invited to concentrate on the value of silence and the possibilities of silent prayer, and are also encouraged to discuss any or all of the other monastic values of solitude, simplicity and contemplative service. 

Thomas-Andrew Baxter has 40 years experience in executive and leadership positions in all sectors – commerce (national and multinational) not-forprofit and government. About 25 years ago he was drawn to meditation and has been a student of, and participated in, a range of meditational practices, including Buddhist, vipassana, Christian Zen and Franciscan—the latter for 6 years while being a brother with the Society of St Francis. He has lead retreats and quiet days with an emphasis on allocating time ‘in the cave’ and has held workshops for leadership groups and others wanting to find ways of gaining a spiritual centre within the crazy life of living and working in the city. He believes that finding that ‘still point’ not only increases awareness of the spiritual but is also a necessary basis for a healthy life. St Francis certainly knew the importance of time in his cave to be able to lead the life he dedicated himself to. 

Kerry Holland is an artist and a part of the retreat team at the Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality in Brisbane, giving individual and group retreats. She paints abstracts and portraits. Her abstract paintings are expressive contemplations of everyday life experience and are inspired by faith, story and music. The recent series of 11 paintings “Requiem, from death through to new life” is in the collection of St Ignatius College, Riverview.

Richard Cogswell is a longstanding member of the congregation of St James’ Church. He practised as a barrister for 26 years before being appointed to the District Court in 2007. He sits in civil and criminal cases in Sydney and on circuit around the State. For 20 years he has meditated twice a day in a Christian tradition and plays an active role in the meditation activities of St James’. He also has been involved for many years in the Christian Life Community, an Ignatian based prayer community.

Cost: $32 for the series ($15 full-time students & Centrelink pensioners), including refreshments

Venue: St James’ Anglican Church, 173 King St Sydney
              (opposite Hyde Park Barracks)

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register