• We are sorry to announce the sad news that Philip Roderick, Founder of Contemplative Fire, has died.

    Philip was living with advanced Parkinson's Disease, complicated by a number of other health conditions. Although we are incredibly sad to lose him, this does bring an end to a challenging season of physical struggle.

    In Philip's own words,
    This is a path of unknowing and knowing,
    of being loved and loving,
    of letting go and taking hold...
    And here he is in a photo taken not so long ago, dispelling our sadness with playful joy, as he often did!

    Philip Roderick 22nd January 1949 - 27th August 2025

    Whether you knew Philip or not, we invite you to hold a short silence to re-member him, ideally outside, in touch with the natural world if possible, perhaps embodying one of the body prayers that were so dear to him and are to many of us. And/or singing a little chant as a prayer. There are a couple of examples of body prayers and chants below as a reminder:
    Sending this with prayers of great gratitude for the life of Philip Roderick, and all that he meant to each of us. May our embodiment of faith, hope, love and playful, creative joy be something that honours both Divine Presence and Philip's memory, and that continues to renew the face of the earth...

    What is Contemplative Fire?

    Contemplative Fire is a dispersed community of Christ at the edge, inviting us into transformative awareness. We have a simple rhythm of life, which each Companion on the Way adjusts to their own life pattern.

    See our Vision and Values here

    What is this rhythm of life?

    Seeking a balance of being, knowing and doing, of contemplative practice, creative practice and compassionate practice. This ancient rhythm of prayer, study and action is how we commit to aligning ourselves with Christ’s way of love.

    Why Contemplative Fire?

    As our name suggests, we seek to integrate the opposites, the paradoxes that have been felt, lived, wrestled with and reflected upon since the time of the earliest Christian communities. The contemplative call is to make time in the everyday flurry of things for reflection and stillness. The fire is the energy and vitality of God’s Holy Spirit as we open ourselves to the creative and re-shaping power of God’s life in us.

    Do look at our Events page to see what’s on where and when.

    Beginnings

    Now that we are into our second decade as Contemplative Fire, our founder Philip Roderick has recorded and made available some impressions of the very early days of this network community of Christ at the edge.

    A small series of interviews with Philip and with four other Companions on the Way who shared in the emergence of CF in its infancy is here.