The Simeon Centre for Prayer and the Spiritual Life
More details and online booking...
About the Simeon Centre
The Simeon Centre, based at Ridley Hall, was set up in 2007
- to nourish and strengthen the community’s life of prayer;
- to encourage members of the Hall and Cambridge Theological Federation in their spiritual growth;
- to work alongside church leaders and congregations around the country, teaching and nurturing the disciplines of prayer, mentoring and spiritual direction.
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.
- receive requests for prayer.
The Simeon Centre Team
Director: Adrian Chatfield
Chaplain: Jane Keiller
Administrative Assistant: Rosemary Kew
Interns: Nicky Redsell and Ruth Norris
Volunteer Assistants: Jill Chatfield, Val Kilner and Christine Woods
It is only natural that you 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.
A Litany of Good News
If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
Lord, we believe.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The scripture says,
‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’
Lord, we believe.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all
and is generous to all who call on him.
For your generosity, we praise your holy name.
‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
For your generosity, we praise your holy name.
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?
Send your Holy Spirit, that they may believe.
And how are they to believe
in one of whom they have never heard?
Send your Holy Spirit, that they may believe.
And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
Send your servants, that they may believe.
And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?
Send your servants, that they may believe.
As it is written,
‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’
For your church, bringer of good news, we give you thanks.
But not all have obeyed the good news;
for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has
believed our message?’
For your church, bringer of good news, we give you thanks.
So faith comes from what is heard
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
For your church, bringer of good news, we give you thanks.
© Adrian Chatfield 2010
A Litany of Trust
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
You are my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
You are my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
I will not fear!
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day…
I will not fear!
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
I will not fear!
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
Lord, have mercy on us.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
Lord, have mercy on them.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
Lift us high, Lord.
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Lift us high, Lord.
“Because they love me,” says the LORD,
“I will rescue them; I will protect them,
for they acknowledge my name. “
King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
glory to your name!
