GAINESVILLE — The Rev. Brian Wilcox was searching for a deeper level of spirituality, and he found it in contemplative prayer.

Now, he’s introducing it to the congregation he serves and hoping it can be a model for other conference clergy and congregations.

Wilcox, pastor of Southwest United Methodist Church here, said he had become “disillusioned” with religion until he discovered silent contemplative prayer.

“We are trained to address God as this other entity outside of ourselves,” he said. “Contemplative prayer is a maturation of a deeper intensity where we realize we are in unity with God…”

Wilcox said the foundation of contemplative prayer is interior silence, “a prayer of silence, an experience of God’s presence as the ground in which the soul is rooted…”

Wilcox began his journey with contemplative prayer about five years ago after being trained by two United Methodists in the extended ministries of the South Georgia Conference in Scott, Ga. He began teaching an eight-week “Silent Waters, An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer” study followed by the eight-week “Quiet Places, Living the Contemplative Life” classes to his congregation earlier this year.

The congregation, which has an average attendance of 55 to 60 each Sunday morning, is embracing contemplative prayer, Wilcox said. He said a lay person ushers in each service by asking members to open their hearts and minds to God in silence, and Wilcox hopes to begin a silent contemplative worship service.

“Contemplative studies and silent prayer has changed my whole concept of praying and living,” said church member Etoyle Sherman, who has completed both contemplative prayer studies. “It gives me a time to listen to the Lord, as well as just being present with Him. It has also made me more present in all I do. I don’t waste time because I can pray or just be silent with Jesus.”

Wilcox said the contemplative life is a means of praying in and living out the Trinity.

“That is, father, son and spirit are a communion in love…” Wilcox said. “…This practice is a deeply experienced way of participating in the very life of God, which Christ speaks of in St. John, that we might be one with the father and him, as the father and he are one.”

Church member Betty Williams said she is thrilled to experience “oneness” with God.

“When I attended the first class on centering prayer, I certainly had no idea what a change it would bring to my life,” she said. “Coming home to an empty house was at times a traumatic experience. I had felt so alone since my husband’s death. After practicing centering prayer for a while, I realized I no longer felt alone.

“God is within me and I am never alone. I’ve sensed peace, contentment and faith in the future. I seem to have a calmness I never had before.”

Even though the practice is new to the church, there is a Monday night contemplative prayer group where members sit in silent prayer with one another, and Wilcox leads a Sunday night service where people worship without music. Communion is also offered.

Wilcox has plans to construct a wheelchair accessible prayer Labyrinth on church grounds. He said it will be an outreach to the community, offering a place to walk in quiet and prayer, to “sit and rest and enjoy a sacred space for spiritual refreshment.” He said he views this as offering a witness to the community of the church’s commitment to a deep spiritual experience.