73: The City is My Monastery with Rev Richard Carter

This podcast focuses on Richard Carter's work and life as a vicar
at St Martin-in-the-field, a bustling church in Trafalgar Square
London, known for its work on social justice and in particular
its work with the homeless.  Richard and Simon met when
Simon was experiencing a deep personal trauma and loss. 
Richard became a very important spiritual support and friend
during the early days of grief.  Previous to his work in
London Richard spent 15 years in the Solomon Islands as a
chaplain to, then member of, the Melanesian Brotherhood, an
Anglican monastic community.  During this time Richard too
experienced a deep traumatic loss when 7 brothers of his
community who were working for peace were taken hostage and
killed.  Richard and Simon discuss their response to their
grief, highlighting the hope and grace that transcends grief,
enabling new life to emerge. 

Richard shares the impact of the move from a quiet island in the
Pacific Ocean with no electricity, to the heart of busy, noisy
London.  Over the years he wondered about returning to a
life of more silent prayer, yet realized that he had a calling to
build community and offer stability through his work in
London.  On a retreat, he found spiritual clarity and the
words came to him… ‘The city is my monastery’.   Seeking
community, it was homeless people, particularly international
refugees who became an essential part of his community.  He
founded the Nazareth Community to respond to people's spiritual
need for community, silence and sanctuary and to offer service
when living in the bustling city and the Nazareth Community
welcomes members from all walks and experiences of life. 
Richard shares the joys of multi-cultural London, his life is
enriched by diversity, the nature found in London’s parks, and
the gifts he receives from a life of service to others.

Get Richard's book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Nazareth-Contemplative-Journey-Home/dp/1786224917


Bio

Richard Carter is Associate Vicar at St Martin’s where he has
been working and living as a priest since 2006 on the edge of
Trafalgar Square. Richard has special responsibility for the
education and formation programme, pastoral care and outreach to
those facing homelessness.  Richard is the founder of the
Nazareth Community, whose members gather from everyday life to
seek God in contemplation and to live compassionately and
generously building a community of welcome on the edge of
Trafalgar Square. He also started and coordinates the
International Group which provides community and support for
migrants and asylum seekers and those with no recourse to public
funds.  He is the author of The City is My Monastery: A
Contemporary Rule of Life, Canterbury Press and editor of Who is
My Neighbour? The Global and Personal Challenge (SPCK, 2018). His
latest book Letters from Nazareth: A Contemplative Journey Home
(Canterbury Press 2023) are letters of encouragement for our
times, and how contemplation and reflection lead to resolute
action. Richard leads many retreats and quiet days and is a
regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service. 

Before living in London Richard was a member of the Melanesian
Brotherhood a simple community working for peace in the South
Pacific. His experiences there are described in In Search of the
Lost (Canterbury Press 2006), a moving first-hand account of loss
and grief after the violent deaths of seven members of his
religious order.