Ridley Hall, Cambridge

The Simeon Centre for Prayer and the Spiritual Life

The Centre was launched in October 2007 as the result of a generous benefaction to Ridley Hall, to be used for strengthening the life of prayer in the Hall and the wider church.

Our passion and aim is to help members of the Hall and Cambridge Theological Federation, as well as church leaders and congregations around the country, to grow in their desire and capacity to pray, and to equip them to become leaders and teachers who enable others to pray.

We are named after the biblical Simeon who, having seen and held the baby Jesus, was content to die, because he had seen the Saviour promised by God. The Centre also honours the famous Cambridge Christian Charles Simeon, Vicar of Holy Trinity for 54 years in the 18th century, and a man of deep prayer and spirituality.

We:

• provide guidance, encouragement and training in prayer and spiritual formation for the Ridley community;
• work with the Cambridge Theological Federation in the academic and formational teaching of courses in Prayer and Spirituality;
• offer conferences and quiet days for the wider church;
• help churches to develop prayer resources and forms of training;
• are exploring the possibility of developing projects in spirituality as evangelism;
• offer opportunities and advice for spiritual direction and sabbaticals.

The Simeon Centre Team

Director: Adrian Chatfield
Chaplain: Jane Keiller
Administrative Assistant: Rosemary Kew
Interns: Jon Kara Shields and Kathryn Wehr
Volunteer Assistants: Jill Chatfield, Val Kilner and Christine Woods

At the beginning of the life of a venture like this, it is only natural that you should ask how the Centre might benefit you. What is it going to offer? How can I make contact? Here are some ideas to help you to answer this question. It may be, however, that God is calling you to the Centre as part of your own Christian vocation. Some of the suggestions may also help you to explore these possibilities.

• Become a Friend of the Simeon Centre and receive regular news.
• Become a financial supporter of the Centre and receive information about how to give.
• Become a member of the Simeon Community.
• Invite the Simeon Centre to contribute to the growing prayer life of your deanery, archdeaconry, diocese or institution.
• Offer a skill or competence in some area of training in prayer, spiritual direction, distance education or e-learning.

If you wish to get involved in any way, please get in touch with Rosemary Kew on rak44@cam.ac.uk or by post to The Simeon Centre, Ridley Hall, Ridley Hall Road, Cambridge CB3 9HG.

The Simeon Community

The Simeon Community has come into being as part of the Centre’s core vision. It has been clear to us from the beginning that this is a call from God, which he has laid independently on the hearts of a number of people. Put simply, we are a group of people around the country who believe that God has called us into fellowship with one another through prayer and mutual support, even though we are widely scattered.
Our rule of life is very simple:

• We pray regularly for the other members of the community.
• We undertake to pray for The Simeon Centre’s ministry, and for those who request prayer.
• We meet periodically, usually at Ridley Hall, to get to know one another better, and to build a deeper sense of Christian family.
• We give financially to the work of the Centre, as we are able.
• We offer our talents to the Centre’s ministry generously.
• We promote the Centre among our family, friends, colleagues and in the wider church.

If you think that this might be something that God is calling you to, please get in touch with us so that we can get to know you and give you a clearer sense of our own vision and mission.

A prayer for the Simeon Centre

Heavenly Father,
We give to you the life and work of the Simeon Centre.
We pray, that by the guiding of your Holy Spirit,
it may become a channel of your grace,
stirring up the desire to pray,
encouraging, sustaining and refreshing
all who come, to deepen their love for you
and to follow your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.