A Simple Life: Roland Walls & the Community of Transfiguration

In his old age, Roland Walls stood in awe admiring a tiny flower beside the path - 'isn't it beautiful? Just sitting there. Not drawing attention to itself. Just being itself.' Hearing these words, the author applied them in his mind to the Community of the Transfiguration... This tiny, humble contemplative religious Community, founded by the much-loved Roland Walls in Roslin near Edinburgh, achieved its far-reaching international and ecumenical influence by embodying a simple mode of 'Being' in a world where most people are extremely busy 'Doing'. Through the story of the Community's origins and its 50 years of existence, the author explores how, in an era when Europe has been shedding its religious faith, and the historic churches have been in decline, this tiny Christian community has been inspirational testimony to the relevance of religious faith in the 21st century. Packed with very human stories, this book is, in itself, a page-turning record of a fascinating phenomenon. But this is no pious and sentimental account. The book cites the real struggles and success of attempts to live the Christian life in a post-Christian society.

The Very Revd John Miller is a highly appreciated and widely respected minister in the Church of Scotland and an outstanding former Moderator. He is the successful author of Reflections on the Beautitudes and Silent Heroes.