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Elizabeth Smith, who has studied with Fr Thomas Keating since 1989, is our present Director. Elizabeth is married with two grown up sons and works from home for Contemplative Outreach UK on a voluntary basis.
Elizabeth met Fr Thomas Keating here in the UK on a course in 1988. The following year Fr Thomas Keating invited her to attend the first training course for Presenters of Centering Prayer. Over the following years, she has continued to study under the guidance of Fr Thomas Keating returning to the USA yearly. Elizabeth has also served on the International Faculty of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. |
Recently she has returned from a Two Week Advanced Study Course with Fr Thomas Keating given at St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, for his senior staff.
In 1989, she founded Contemplative Outreach UK to bring Fr Thomas Keating's teaching on Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey to the UK . Elizabeth works with a Board of Trustees who oversee the work of Contemplative Outreach UK . Contemplative Outreach UK now extends from Scotland to the Isle of Wight . The programmes recommend by Fr Thomas Keating have been introduced to the UK and regular Centering Prayer Retreats are given, including the Ten Day Intensive.
Before meeting Thomas Keating, Elizabeth had been studying Christian Spirituality through the Catholic Correspondence Course and had studied Theology and Scripture at Christ College , Liverpool .
Elizabeth is the co-author, with Rev.Fr Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm, of the book "A Deeper Love", an introduction to Centering Prayer, published by Continuum and available on this website.
She has also trained others as Presenters of the Introductory Day and Facilitators of the Centering Prayer Support Groups.
Elizabeth continues to share her knowledge and experience whenever she can and is available for retreat work. Contact details are on the Contact us page on this website.
| Board of Trustees |
| Chairperson: Frank Carroll |
| Rt. Rev Ambrose Griffiths OSB |
| Rev. Fr Joseph Chalmers. O. Carm |
| Mrs Ann O'Donnell |
| Mrs E M Smith |
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