The Revd Canon Andrew Bain

I’ve been a member of ECSB since its beginnings and it’s been a joy to see how our community has grown and changed over the years. The continuity of journeying with others, as we reflect on our discipleship in the light of the Rule, is something I value greatly. More and more I appreciate the gift of stability in community, as together we listen to God through lectio divina, and listen to each other in the everyday experiences we share. The Rule offers me real wisdom and practical insights for the life I share with others. I’m presently the Interim Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh.

The Revd Canon Dr Marion Chatterley

I work in Spiritual Direction. I am granny to two small girls. When I can find time, I enjoy knitting, sewing and growing things. I came across the community when I was working in Emmaus House and joined about six years ago. I was looking for some way to make myself more accountable in my faith journey and the community was a good fit. I’m the Vice-Provost at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. The commitment to daily reading of the Rule is, for me, a good discipline. I love the words of the prayer of St Benedict that we pray daily and knowing that I am praying with and for others who also pray for me.

Revd Jacqui du Rocher

I began to explore the ECSB during the early stages of lockdown when the weekly Evening Prayer and lectio went online. I was already trying to follow the guidance and wisdom of the Rule of St Benedict in my daily life, which I continue to find really enriches my spiritual and practical life, and was praying the Office regularly, deepening my relationship with God throughout the hours of the day, but was missing something that is at the heart of Benedict’s teaching: community. Since joining the Community, I have found a real joy in sharing the Benedictine path with like-minded others. Praying and reflecting together weekly online and coming together in person monthly has proved to be a real blessing to me.

The Revd Canon Dean Fostekew

I was a founding member of ECSB and was drawn to the community as I have been a Benedictine Oblate for well over twenty-five years. ECSB gives me a community of prayer and fellowship within which I can continue to discern how to live the Rule in my everyday life and ministry. At the moment, I am the rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Murrayfield, and Chaplain to the Bishop of Edinburgh. What has always spoken most deeply to me about the Rule is its call to be open-hearted and generous in one's hospitality to both friend and stranger. I also appreciate Benedict’s teaching that all our work can be prayer - and prayer part of our work. They both make for a template for a well-balanced lifestyle.

Sarah Gundry

My desire to follow Christ more closely guided me to St Benedict’s Rule in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I became a member of ECSB. On becoming an energy-zapped paraplegic, time morphed from being like “sand escaping from my fist no matter how tightly I held it”, to a valuable “slowed down” privilege (either during painful bed-rest or consecrated into my work calendar). This enables me to pray and assimilate God’s word and the Rule which constantly changes me into a better person, who shares God’s love, joy and grace with all who enter my home (my care assistants, my students, NHS staff, friends and family) and all who I meet. Being a member of Emmaus makes me more accountable to myself, to the members and to God, and affords me stability throughout the day by saying offices, and the week with regular group meetings.

Stephen Hoare

When I became a member of ESCB I said it felt like I was coming home; by that I meant being part of an Anglican Benedictine Order again. It has been a privilege and pleasure to be part of a group of such friendly and diverse people. It’s great to meet once a week on Zoom, once a month on a Friday and Saturday, and also in person every six weeks at Emmaus House for brunch.

The Revd Martin Robson

I am married to Alison and have two children - James (29) and Sophia (27) and a dog - Jura. I have just retired from being Rector of St Michael and All Saints' Church, Edinburgh. I’m looking forward to spending more time on my allotment! I was originally drawn to the Emmaus Community because I admire the Rule of St Benedict with its two-fold emphasis on simplicity in prayer and work. The community continues to nourish me through its practice of regular prayer and lectio divina.

Keith Russell

I am a recently retired NHS GP. I am married to Lai Fun, and we have two daughters – Katharine (26) and Mhairi (25). Much of my professional life was spent overseas – China, Egypt and the Philippines. I joined the ECSB in 2021, drawn to its community life of disciplined prayer and accountability. I resonate warmly with the Rule’s teaching that prayer is the work of God. As a struggling disciple I also appreciate the Rule’s teaching that ECSB is a school for ‘the conversion of life’. As Benedict taught, I am also learning to ‘listen’ to God’s voice to me through my companions in our little community.

The Revd Tim Tunley

I have been ordained for thirty-one years and spent twenty of those in parish ministry in England. I now work for Mission to Seafarers here in Scotland. My interest in the Rule goes back over forty years when I was handed a copy by my spiritual director and was then told to “Go away and read it”. Over the years I have been on retreats to Ampleforth and have kept up my reading around the Rule. I joined ECSB, as for some time I had been looking for a Benedict-based community and had never really found one that worked in terms of geography. The thing I value most about the community is its shared appreciation of the wisdom of Benedict.