The Taize Community has been a source of ecumenical and contemplative inspiration for over 70 years.  It has been a personal joy to walk with such as Brother Ghislain and Brother Matthew in the 'Pilgrimage of Trust' with young people.
The call to 'simplicity, solidarity and celebration' has been at the heart of my personal searching in recent years.

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The Little Brothers of Francis are one of the religious orders in the Anglican Church.  Based in Tabulam, they exercise a powerful ministry of prayer and humble witness and occasional parish missions.  It is a delight to share in their personal and spiritual friendship.

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The World Community for Christian Meditation is a network which nurtures the work begun by Fr John Main and others in recovering the ancient traditions of Christian contemplative prayer.  It is a personal practice I have come to value highly and we have a parish group which meets weekly.

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I am a member of the Wellspring Community in Australia. Wellspring is a sister to the Iona Community, with a similar active commitment to peace and justice and to Benedictine-Celtic spirituality in the Australian context.

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John O'Donohue was an Irish spiritual writer and poet-priest.  His insight into the 'Celtic Imagination' was profound and exquisite and continues to inspire.  Whilst my Celtic foundations come originally through Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and the Northern Saints in my native Northumbria, I am moved by a similar spirit, beauty and truth.

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Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual pioneers of the contemporary world.  His commitment to contemplative prayer, peace and inter-religious understanding continues to offer hope to a frenzied world.

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Richard Rohr, another Franciscan, has been a significant influence on me, particularly in this 'second half' of my life.  His writings, teachings and Center (yes, the spelling tells us he's American!) for Action and Contemplation help offer our world renewing ways to use the wisdom of the ages, to find our true centre and to work for peace and justice for all.

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Patrick Oliver lives and works freelance in spirituality in Brisbane.  As a true soul friend, he has helped me learn to appreciate the 'gaze' of God, so different from the 'glare' of the world and the ways we misconstrue the abiding presence at the centre of all life.  I and many others are deeply grateful for his accompaniment.

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Gungor represent the most talented, thoughtful and creative of contemporary Christian musicians.  Gungor's songs resonate with my concerns for a genuinely earthed and holy spirituality and resound with beautiful images of creation and healing.  They are a lovely complement to the riches of traditional Church music.

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In the end, it is those who are closest to us  who enable us to love and be loved.  I give thanks for the many friends who inspire, encourage and challenge me, and especially for Penny Jones, my wonderful partner of over thirty years and mother of my children.  Penny is a very talented priest, spiritual director and retreat leader and a blessed companion to myself and others.

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