Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Spirituality Network
Newsletter December 2016
About this newsletter ........................................................................................ 1
Prayer Pack ........................................................................................................ 2
From the Prayer Pack: God in my Day ...................................................... 2
New places for retreats and quiet days ........................................................ 4
65 Maidstone Road, Chatham ................................................................... 4
St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ............................................................ 6
Burrswood ....................................................................................................... 7
Events .................................................................................................................. 9
Rochester Diocese Spirituality Network ..................................................... 9
The Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham .......................................................... 10
Burrswood ..................................................................................................... 11
Other workshops and spirituality events in the area .............................. 11
About this newsletter
The main focus of this Newsletter is the new places for spirituality in our
diocese. One of the reasons it has taken me a long time to put the newsletter
together is that I wanted to include information about St Benedict’s Centre,
West Malling and Attic Retreats, Chatham, both of which have just opened
this autumn.
It is also exiting to learn that Burrswood will be more focused on spirituality
and retreats than it has been in the past. This means that Rochester Diocese
now has three new places for retreats and quiet space; this newsletter
includes some information about all three.
You will also find a long list of spirituality events for the next six months; I am
hoping to produce a newsletter every six months and encourage you to let
me know of any events you want to advertise.
But first of all an update on the Prayer Pack and another example of a prayer
leaflet included in the Pack: ‘God in my Day’.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 2 of 13
Prayer Pack
I wrote about the ‘Prayer Pack’ in the last newsletter, and you may
remember it is a pack with different ways of praying, which can
be used in parishes and in other groups to deepen their prayer life.
The interest has been great and we are now being invited to go
all over the diocese to deliver it in ways that are suitable for their
specific settings.
If your parish is interested and/or if you want to train to deliver the pack,
please do contact me. One of the prayer leaflets from the pack has been
reproduced below to give you a taste of what it is all about.
From the Prayer Pack: God in my Day
[Introduction] All of us pray in different ways at different stages in our lives.
Sometimes our way of praying changes as we grow in our relationship with God.
‘The Review of the Day’ – or ‘The Examen’ as it is sometimes called – is to pause and take
time to prayerfully reflect on the events of the day in order to recognise the presence of God
in our lives, and asking God to give us the grace to discern the way forward.
To reflect on our daily experiences in prayer is an ancient practice of the Church. However,
St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) gave this reflection a particular structure and the method
presented here is adapted from the example as described by Ignatius of Loyola in his
Spiritual Exercises.
God in my Day
Review
How and where do we meet God in everyday life?
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 3 of 13
Reviewing your day is a way of becoming more aware of where and how
you meet God in everyday life.
It is also a prayerful way to let the day go into God’s hands, so that you don’t
carry your anxieties and frustrations unobserved and unhealed into sleep and
into the new day.
This way of reflecting has its origin in the Ignatian tradition and is referred to as
‘Examen’.
”Be still and know that I am God”
Take a moment or two to find a comfortable position. Don’t change your
pattern of breathing, just notice that you are, and gently bring your
awareness and focus inwards. Be still.
Transition
“You are precious in my eyes and honoured, and I love you.” You are in the
presence of God: in the presence of love. Become aware of that love with
which God looks upon you.
Give thanks
Reflect on God’s presence in your life today, the kindnesses you’ve
experienced through His love for you, and the things that lifted your spirits –
no matter how small. Don’t try to remember too hard, just see what emerges,
and give thanks to God.
Ask God for understanding
Ask for enlightenment and guidance so that you may understand how God’s
love has been working with you throughout the day.
Review
With God, review your day. Look for the stirrings in your heart and the
thoughts that God has given you this day. Look also for those that have not
been from God. Review your choices in response to both and throughout
the day in general.
Ask for forgiveness and healing
There may have been moments in your day when you failed to respond to
God’s love at work in you. Don’t judge yourself harshly, just look at that
experience and ask for forgiveness, trusting in God’s love that removes your
heart’s burdens, casts out fear and binds up wounds.
Renewal
Bring to God any anxieties you may have about the days ahead, and ask for
the gift of what you need most to help you live in accord with God’s loving
desire for your life. Trust in God.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 4 of 13
Transition
Gently bring yourself back to the room and end your prayer by saying thank
you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) –
whichever feels right and comfortable.
Book suggestions
Gallagher, Timothy (2006) The Examen Prayer, Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today Crossroad
Publishing Company.
Lonsdale, David (2000) Eyes to See, Ears to Hear, Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality.
Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd.
Websites
www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen
www.beunos.com/prayerexamen.htm
www.loyolapress.com
Front cover image: D Reynolds
New places for retreats and quiet days
65 Maidstone Road, Chatham
A lot of work has been done on the house and garden over the last 6 months
and we are now ready to welcome visitors.
The ground floor with two meeting rooms, a chapel and a garden is available
for smaller day groups; the first floor is being used for the members of the
emerging community.
The garden has been transformed into
a prayerful space with different places
to sit and reflect, including a wonderful
summer/prayer house.
Our new Attic Retreats were officially opened on 4 October, and we have
had our first retreatants already!
The Attic has two bedrooms, a prayer room, a bathroom and a small
kitchenette for people to do their own self-catering.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 5 of 13
Our vision for 65 Maidstone Road is
to support and nourish the church
and its workers through offering a
space for people to seek God and
reflect on their experiences.
We are particularly thinking of all those
who in different ways are serving the
church and need to come away and rest
for a while and listen to God.
The community members will be available
to offer spiritual accompaniment to those
who would like some guidance during their stay; for those who are interested
in making the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, these will be offered in all their
different forms.
The attic retreats will give those who come to stay a peaceful and calming
environment in the midst of the busy town of Chatham.
We are only 7 min walk from Chatham station and with good parking
facilities, it is easy to access.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 6 of 13
St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling
Set in the tranquil grounds of Malling
Abbey, St Benedict’s Centre offers
individuals and groups room to study, rest,
relax and revive.
On the ground floor of the Guest House
there is a comfortable meeting room,
equipped with WiFi, plasma screen and flip
chart for groups of up to 45. Adjacent is a
seating area with tables where freely
available filter coffee and a selection of
teas can be enjoyed.
On the first floor there are ten study
rooms, some spacious enough to
accommodate small groups. Each is
equipped with the essentials for a day
of study: chair, desk, good lighting
and windows overlooking the Abbey
gardens.
Each room also has a comfy reclining chair
with blanket should you need to catch up on
a bit of rest or allow the fruits of your efforts
the chance to filter into your subconscious.
And, of course, you are free to wander
through the beautiful Guest House grounds.
Wander over the stream towards the tower and you come to the Western
Range.
The ground floor provides further room for groups to meet and study: two light
and airy large meeting rooms (capacity 25-30) and a smaller seminar room
for 8 or fewer. All are equipped with plasma screens, WiFi and flipcharts.
A well-equipped galley kitchen provides hot water for teas and large flasks of
fresh filter coffee. Disabled access and facilities are available on the ground
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 7 of 13
floor in both buildings. Biscuits, as well as ‘on tap’ beverages are available at
no extra charge and it’s only a short walk to local shops, cafés or restaurants
should you want something more substantial.
There is a seating area within the Western Range especially for refreshments;
if the weather is kind you might like to picnic in the Guest House grounds;
benches and seating areas are dotted around.
St
Benedict’s Centre welcomes businesses, charities and community groups as
well as churches. Further details are available from Andrew Wooding Jones:
01732 252651/ [email protected].
Burrswood
Set in 120 acres of tranquil
grounds on the border of Kent
and Sussex, Burrswood health and
wellbeing is a Christian charity,
transforming lives through whole-
person care.
We support individuals, families and carers to recognise the importance of all
aspects of their lives, body, mind and spirit.
Burrswood was founded in 1948 by 20th century healing visionary, Dorothy
Kerin (1889 – 1963), regarded by many as a modern-day Christian saint. In
1912 Dorothy was a 22-year-old who had been confined to bed for five years
with tubercular meningitis, peritonitis and diabetes, when a miraculous cure
restored her to full health overnight. Her healing earned her national
attention and press headlines of ‘Miracle Girl’.
Dorothy Kerin’s personal experience of the living Christ turning her life around
- literally taking her from death to healthy life in a moment – led her to
establish a place where others could come to find the same healing from
God which she had herself received. Dorothy believed her commission was
to” Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing and give faith to the faithless”. This
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 8 of 13
remains Burswood’s focus and primary purpose today in a way that is
contemporary, creative and accessible to many more.
We believe in a truly holistic approach and so we provide services and
activities that relate to all aspects of a person’s life, body, mind and spirit.
Burrswood is regognised as a safe space where people sense the presence
of God and find recovery, reconciliation, and restoration.
Spiritual health and wellbeing are at the heart of what we do; building on our
existing healing services, prayer and pastoral support we also provide
residential courses, refreshment for ministry, support for careers as well as a
host of other wellbeing activities.
Through therapeutic health and wellbeing, our aim is to further promote
resilience, independence and an improved quality of life for our patients.
Areas of focus include: re-ablement care for those needing short-term bed-
based care before returning home and respite care as well as palliative care
for those who may wish to spend time in a supported environment while their
condition is stable.
We are also offering assisted stays for those who would like to take a break
but require a little additional support such as specialist equipment, hospital
bed, hoists or personal care.
We also offer independent stays for guests who are accessing our
chaplaincy-led wellbeing events or outpatient services such as hydrotherapy,
counselling and physiotherapy. We are also extending our range of
outpatient services to support people with chronic conditions.
As an organisation founded on Christian principles, with a desire to keep the
love of Christ at the heart of all we do, Burswood has a distinctive ethos. We
are welcoming to all. Our Christian faith perspective is offered but never
imposed upon those who come to seek our support and guidance.
“Endless kindness and care, which most certainly played an enormous part in
my healing and recovery process.”
Burrswood Registered Charity no. 1095940
www.burrswood.org.uk
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 9 of 13
Events
Rochester Diocese Spirituality Network
Ongoing training for spiritual directors - Discernment in the Ministry of Spiritual
Direction
Led by Rev Nick Helm. Nick works for the Diocese of Hereford and
is responsible for the in-service development of the clergy.
4 Mar 2017 10.30-3pm
St Justus Church, The Fairway, Rochester ME1 2LT
Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided.
Network day – A Taste of Mindfulness and why it's edible for Christians Led by Rev Barry Linney. Barry is the Vicar of Stephen’s Church Chatham, and
trained with Bangor University’s Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice
to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. He has taught mindfulness in his
parish and sees it as a practice that can enhance our relationship with
ourselves, others and God.
3 June 2017 10.30-3pm
St Benedict’s Centre, 52 Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6JK.
Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided.
Training Course - Training in the skills of supervision within the ministry of
Spiritual Direction
A course for those who have experience of giving spiritual direction and want
to use their experience to supervise others.
Led By Rev Andrew Walker. Andrew is an Anglican priest, director of the St
Marylebone Healing and Counselling Centre and of the London- based
Ignatian Spirituality course as well as a psychosynthesis-trained supervisor. Date: 6-7 Oct and 27-28th Oct 2017. 11-4 pm each day.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 10 of 13
You need to participate in all sessions.
St Benedict’s Centre, 52 Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6JK.
Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided.
Rochester Canterbury Spiritual Accompaniment course
The Canterbury Rochester Spirituality course will start again January 2018;
please contact Susanne Carlsson (contact details below).
The Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham
99 Belmont Hill, SE13 5DY T: 0208 852 1662
[email protected] /www.sisters-of-st-andrew.com
February 2017
16: Oasis Day. A time to chill out. 10am-4pm. Srs. Regula and Christiane
25: Come and See: Andrew day. For young adults (20-35): walking, silence,
Bible reflexion, sharing. 12.00am - 5.30pm. Sr. Marie-Christine.
March 2017
3-5: Stepping Stones into Silence. A beginner’s silent retreat with personal
accompaniment.
8: Icons in Lent* (1st) The Transfiguration 11am – 1pm
15: Icons in Lent* (2nd) The Samaritan Woman 11am – 1pm
15: Lenten Quiet Evening 7.30-9.00pm Input, reflection in silence finishing with
prayer with the community. Sr. Regula
22: Icons in Lent* (3rd) The Blind Man 11am – 1pm
29: Icons in Lent* (4th) Lazarus 11am – 1pm
April 2017
5: Icons in Lent* (5th) Entry into Jerusalem 11am – 1pm
10 – 12: Journeying in Silence with Jesus in the footsteps of His passion. Each
day 10am – 7pm.
May 2017
10: How to plan and lead a Quiet Day. A Training Day - 10am – 4pm This event
is being held in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. Max.20.
Srs. Diane and Marie-Christine
13: Love is His Meaning: At prayer with Julian of Norwich. Exploring the
relevance of Julian’s teaching on prayer for our own sometimes complex
and challenging lives. Led by Christopher Chapman. A Catholic Spirituality
Network Day CSN – with a time of spiritual nourishment , reflection and
networking.
Bookings through CSN [email protected] or/ 07756
864784
20: Come and see: Andrew day. For young adults (20-35) walking, silence,
Bible reflexion, sharing. 12.00am - 5.30pm Sr. Marie-Christine.
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 11 of 13
21: Open House - The sisters invite you to come and enjoy their Urban Oasis:
relax in the garden, walk the labyrinth, and spend time together. 2.00 -
5.30pm, including at 4.30pm a prayer with the community.
June 2017
17: Oasis day. A time to chill out. 10am-4pm. Come for morning, afternoon or
both: short input and time to pause, rest, reflect in silence, available tools
include music, image and word. Sr.Diane.
Burrswood
Quiet Days
On the second Tuesday of every month.
Christian Mindfulness: Making Space for God.
Led by Revd Dr Steven Underdown Saturday 28th January
Retreats - ‘Creation and Creativity’: Celebrating the Seasons
Four separate retreats, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, each focusing
on the inner spiritual growth associated with the seasons. Winter: Dormancy
and Expectation, Friday 13th–Sunday 15th JanuarySpring: New Life Breaking
Forth, Friday 24th–Sunday 26th MarchSummer: Growth towards Fullness,
Friday 30th–Sunday 2nd JulyAutumn: Harvest and Abundance, Friday 20th–
Sunday 22nd October
Inspiring Health Series for Healthcare Professionals
Burrswood is hosting a series of training opportunities in whole-person
healthcare:
19 November 2016 Maintaining balance through nutrition, supplements and
herbal medicine
28 January 2017 An introduction to the ‘Alexander Technique’ for health
professionals – How AT can help your patients?
11 March 2017 Revalidation – A blessing or a curse?
Please see www.burrswood.org.uk for more information and booking details.
Other workshops and spirituality events in the area
London Spirituality Centre
Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA
Tel: 020 7621 1391 [email protected] http://www.spiritualitycentre.org
List of events: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-london-spirituality-centre-
3655596295
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 12 of 13
St Margaret's Church, Rochester
Lectio divina (the slow reading of scripture)
11 December4pm – 5pm
4-5 March 2017.
Sat. 4 March: Facilitated Lectio session from 2-4pm at St Peter's
Sun. 5 March: Lectio sermon, 10:30am at St Peter's, and
Sun. 5 March: afternoon Lectio masterclass from 4-5pm
Contact Revd Joel Love for more information: [email protected]
St Georges Church, Beckenham
Healing & Wholeness Eucharists - First Tuesday of each month 7.30pm
These services are set within the context of our broken world and belief in
God’s promise of eternal life. Through the laying on of hands and anointing,
they are times set apart for us to experience and receive God’s gifts of
wholeness and peace, for ourselves, for those we are concerned for and for
the world.
Contemplative Eucharists - Third Tuesday of each month 7.30pm
Contemplation is an ancient form of prayer, often called the ‘prayer of the
heart’. It is about finding an awareness of God in everyday life. Anyone can
engage with contemplative prayer, it is just a matter of listening. These quiet
services include music, candles and times of silence.
Julian Group Meetings - Fourth Friday of each month 3.30pm
Julian meetings begin with 30 minutes of silent prayer followed by
refreshments and fellowship
For further details please contact:
St Georges Parish Office - tel 020 8663 6996
email - [email protected]
Snodland
Quiet Day
The Fellowship of Diocesan Prayers.
Lead by the Dean of Rochester Philip Hesketh
15th May 2017 10am-3pm
For further details please contact:
Tel- 01322 271657
Sidcup
The Spirituality of Jesus – the centrality of the Heart in Jewish Prayer
This workshop will explore the Jewish background of the spirituality of Jesus
and particularly focus on the ‘Shema’, the foundational prayer of Judaism.
Mondays 16th, 23rd and 30th January 2017: 7.30-9.30pm
Rochester Spirituality Network Newsletter 12/2016 Page 13 of 13
An Introduction to the Pilgrim Festivals
The biblical festivals offer us a veritable feast for enrichment of
our spirituality. This workshop will introduce the three pilgrim festivals
(Tabernacles, Passover and Pentecost) and demonstrate how they reveal
Jesus and how we also can celebrate them.
Saturdays 4th and 11th March 2017: 2.00-5.00pm
Please contact Paul Stevens for further details : [email protected]
0208-300 2524.
Contact: The Rev Susanne Carlsson
Adviser for Spirituality in Rochester Diocese
07795 167 603
