wccm: bristol and bath region
WCCM in the UK is a national community of the World Community for Christian
Meditation, a global spiritual community united in the practice of meditation in
the Christian tradition. It shares the fruits of this practice widely and
inclusively, serving the unity of all and building understanding between faiths
and cultures. Community members of WCCM worldwide are those who follow the WCCM
Mission Statement: To communicate and nurture meditation as passed on through
the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition in the spirit of serving
the unity of all. In practical terms this means that the community offers
opportunities for people to learn about meditation, helps them to deepen their
practice over the years and encourages them to provide opportunities for others
to do the same – not only though local group meetings but also through sharing
meditation more widely in such spheres as prisons, schools and the marginalised
in our society, as a few examples. At a local level, the UK community is
widespread and many followers meet on a regular, mostly weekly, basis to
meditate together in churches, halls and homes. These groups help to nurture and
support a growing practice of meditation. Structurally, groups are ordered into
regions to facilitate communication, local contact and the organisation of
regional activities such as quiet days and retreats. You can find your local
group and region here. As well as meeting in physical groups, the community
facilitates on-line meditation and providing the opportunity to meditate with
others at most times of the day and night across the globe. You can search for
online groups here. At a national level there are essential teaching weekends
and silent retreats as well as an annual conference for sharing and deepening
the practice. The UK charity is run almost exclusively by volunteers. The
organisation of WCCM in the UK is through a registered charity with a Board of
Trustees and a National Council comprising principally the Regional and Special
Interest Coordinators and guided by a National Coordinator. The day-to-day
facilitation of the community is managed through a body called the Action Group,
chaired by the National Coordinator, along with a very small office team. If you
would like to become involved, at a local, regional or national level, please
get in contact with the National Coordinator, see the Contact List for email
address and phone. A list of current roles and contact details are recorded on
the back of the newsletter, which is published 4 times a year, and you can find
the most recent and historical copies here. Alternatively, please contact the
office through the Contact Us facility
