Ali Newell – Edinburgh
I am Associate Chaplain at Edinburgh University with a remit in interfaith work. I was the Scottish representative on the Living Spirituality Network project group and am happy to be of help as a regional contact for Living Spirituality Connections.
I was formerly a chaplain at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. I came back to Scotland with my family to be co-warden at Iona Abbey for the Iona Community between 1988-92, then prison Chaplain at Edinburgh prison.
I later worked in social responsibility for the Anglican diocese of Portsmouth, returning to Scotland to be the Director of the Ecumenical Spirituality Programme for Scottish Churches Open College.
Prior to coming to Edinburgh University Chaplaincy, I worked in the field of spirituality, teaching and offering spiritual accompaniment at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow and leading retreats with my husband Philip Newell on Iona and at Casa del Sol in the high desert of New Mexico. This is a spirituality centre with a dispersed community of companions which we helped bring into being.
I am a Church of Scotland minister and a trained counsellor. I am committed to creation-centred spirituality and to dialogue with other faiths in seeking to care for our planet and work for peace in the world. My work with Philip has led to the creation of Heartbeat: A Journey towards Earth’s Wellbeing – www.heartbeatjourney.org.
I appreciate fresh language in expressing faith and a spirituality that is embodied. I have four adult children, love the outdoors and enjoy an artistic angle on things.
Jon Cape – Stirling
Locally in Stirling a few of us run a Sunday evening session every six weeks or so called Soulspace, a time for shared reflection —a quiet meditative space for us to share, listen and respond. Held at the Methodist Church in Stirling. It is inspired by the Solas Festival.
If you don’t know Solas, do take a look – www.solasfestival.co.uk. It’s in late-June each year in Scotland.
The festival aims to create a generous, hospitable space in Scotland where the arts can be performed and enjoyed by all. Solas Festival derives inspiration and values from its roots in the broad Christian tradition. This underpins our commitment to equality, justice, beauty and hospitality. Our aim is to create a space which is tolerant, inclusive and free of prejudice.
