All photography provided by Marc Gascoigne

A New Monastic Community in North Peckham

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the famous German Lutheran Christian Minister, created the phrase when he helped to develop radical forms of Christian Community that wanted to live a life of prayerful action based on Christ's teachings in the Gospels with an attention to social, economic and ecological justice. In a letter to his brother before he was shot in detention nearly at the end of the Second World War by the Nazis he said this:

“The renewal of the Church will come from a new type of monasticism which has only in common with the old an uncompromising allegiance to the sermon on the mount. It’s high time women and men banded together to do this.”
— Detrich Bonhoeffer in a letter to his brother from prison

Further, in the Anglican Church, and in particular the Oxford Movement of the 19th Century, there has always been a monastic spirituality within anglicanism.  When the original monastic houses were closed in England under the authority of Henry VIII, there was always a vision of the local church with daily morning and evening prayer, eucharist and compline.

In recent times there has been a hunger for a new monasticism that seeks to draw on a sense of Benedictine stability and hospitality, Franciscan mission and Ignatian spirituality. Westcott, a former Church of England Bishop, said this in 1884:

And thus, nothing from old times will meet our exigencies.  We want a rule which shall answer to the complexity of our own age.  We want a discipline which shall combine the sovereignty of soul of Antony, the social devotion of Benedict, the humble love of Francis, the matchless energy of the Jesuits, with faith that fears no trial, with hope that fears no darkness, with truth that fears no light. 
— Westcott, a former Church of England Bishop

1. So what are we doing?

We are using the Clergy House owned by the Diocese to accommodate two community members along with the Priest, Ian Mobsby, who plays a part in the Wellspring Community.    

2. Contemplative Sunday Evening Worship

Most Sundays there is a commitment to a form of contemplative worship in a cycle of:

  • 1st Sunday - Contemplative Service

  • 2nd Sunday - Contemplative Eucharist

  • 3rd Sunday - Sung Compline

  • 4th Sunday - Taize Chant Service

  • 5th Sundays - Alternative or Labyrinth Service

If you are interested in exploring who we are, then please do come to these services and for a drink afterwards in the Peckham Pelican Bar. 

3. Commitment to Contemplative Prayer Monday to Thursdays

Currently some of the Community gather for morning and evening prayer at St Luke's Church Monday to Thursday for 30 minutes prayer inspired by a combination of Anglican, Benedictine, Franciscan and Ignatian prayer forms.  Daily prayer happens at:

  • Mondays - 7.30 am

  • Tuesdays - 7.30 pm

  • Wednesdays - 7.30 am

  • Thursdays - 7.30 pm

4. New Monastic Gathering Tuesdays for those who are ready and or made commitments to take part in the Community.

Most Tuesdays of the year, we gather for evening prayer in the Church at 7.30pm, and then gather in the house for 8pm for food and dialogue.  These gatherings in the House are by invitation only. If you are interested in attending please get in touch.

NB - As well as these evenings, there are a number of Special Events and Open Suppers which are great occasions for those who are interested in learning more about the community.

5. Serum - Spirituality injected Conversation - a Dialogue Opportunities for the Spiritual Not Religious

Consider yourself 'Spiritual Not Religious' and interested in a monthly spirituality dialogue group based in Peckham/Camberwell?  Why not get in touch by emailing Ian Mobsby.

6. Loving Service to those less fortunate than ourselves

The Community is currently assisting with the Pecan Centre and with Peckham Citizens, and is looking at ways in which it can help further the people in the local community via these projects.