Our next inclusive language & non-hierachical Evensong will be on Sunday 22nd March for the Annunciation (to Mother Mary).

Scroll down below for more about our fourth Sunday Contemplative Christian Ceremonies

Since our Wild Monastery settled at St Barnabas Church in 2024, we have offered a range of celebrations, both social and for some of the seasonal, sacred festivals. This year (2026) we are also establishing more regular contemplative ceremony on the fourth Sunday of each month. Below is a glimpse of what to expect in the different gatherings we offer and how to get involved.

At the heart of our Wild Monastery is a core group of around 20 ‘wild monastics’ who meet twice a month online for study and contemplation. Alongside and overlapping this is another core group of about 20 collaborators, the ‘wild monastery/church crew’ who work together to offer retreats, pilgrimages, festival celebrations and contemplative liturgy (ceremony). These are both open groups and, space permitting, we welcome new members to either or both. If you live locally, we suggest that you start by ‘dipping a toe in’ as follows:

Many local folks start by pitching up at one of our gatherings. These are drop in, donation based, quietly friendly and (mostly) small groups in Brooking Church. There are three main options:

  • Seasonal and celebratory gatherings – these tend to be relaxed and informal times together, usually with an inter-spiritual emphasis, which is intended to be inclusive of different sacred or secular perspectives. These gatherings usually stretch over several hours, with lots of social time to chat, share food and drink. Yet there will often also be a more focussed time, sometimes quieter and based around a shared activity such as crafting, singing, gardening or suchlike. These gatherings are drop in and donation based and we also appreciate help clearing up at the end. Click here for a recent example.
  • Contemplative Christian Ceremony – on the fourth Sunday of most months and for some special, sacred seasons (such as Easter and Christmas) we are developing a regular practice of more formal liturgy (ceremony). This involves a gentle ‘re-wilding’ of some traditional Anglican liturgy (inspired by the BCP – Book of Common Prayer) to be more gender inclusive, non hierarchical and more contemplative. These ceremonies involve gathering in the choir stalls for periods of chanting balanced with times of silence. They include short scripture readings (from the Inclusive Bible) and the use of icons (sacred images), the lighting of candles, offering of incense, sounding bells and making ritual gestures (such as bowing, making the sign of the Cross etc).
  • These ceremonies are designed to be accessible to those with no previous experience of this kind of Christian liturgy and to include those who may be uncertain about or feel outside of Christian faith and belief. All chanting, for example, is by ‘call and response’ (you don’t need to read music) and you will be gently guided through the service. You are free to participate as much or as little as you wish, or simply observe. Click here for a recent example.