I wrote recently that I was training to be a Spiritual Director, which will enable me to help people listen to God, to create a sacred space together. It will also help me in the leading of Quiet Days and Evenings, or ‘Petite Retreats’.

Retreating has long been an important part of the spiritual life for clergy, but it is something we can all benefit from, whether it’s time alone in a ‘thin place’ such as a Quiet Garden or Monastery or other Retreat Venue, or becoming part of a day which has been prepared by a retreat leader with times of instruction/meditation and times to be alone.

Most recently I held a Chocolate Retreat, and yes, there was plenty of chocolate to sample! Chocolate though, was just a means of exploring God’s abundant and indulgent love for us. We reflected upon the journey from cocoa bean to gift wrapped chocolate box, and compared it with our own faith journeys, and we meditated upon the words from Psalm 139. There was time to sit in the autumn sunshine, time to wonder around the beautiful Quiet Garden, and even time to take a snooze in the log cabin.

A day to connect with God through prayer and nature in a tranquil a setting. Vanessa’s chocolate retreat was just what I needed to quieten the noises of life and to pause and reflect. Now I’ve found it, it will be an essential part of my monthly calendar.

Michelle

Different themes will connect with different people. The Chocolate Retreat will be back, but in the meantime there will be other Quiet Days, and Evenings, on offer.

Next up is ‘Poetry of the Stars’, an evening retreat in the log cabin and surrounding gardens, hopefully under a starry sky. We will be considering God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have as many decedents as stars in the sky, and how we fit into that spiritual starscape.

Then in December we have an Advent retreat: Cradled. This will be a time to break away from the rush of Christmas preparation and wrap ourselves in blankets as we consider the baby in the Christmas cradle and allow God to cradle us in her love. And there will be food, always food; either a lunch (or supper) to be shared with others on the retreat and a chance for a chat, or a picnic to be taken away to be eaten in peace.

These are times of quiet, not silence. Parts of the garden are marked out as areas where it is OK to chat with others, and parts where people would prefer to be left to their own thoughts and prayers; and I am there, should anyone want Spiritual Direction, or Holy Listening.

There is never any expectation to share, no group discussions. In fact there are no expectations at all. Each Petite Retreat is a gift of time, and food, and space to reconnect with yourself and with God.

If you would like to book a place on a Petite Retreat please do email priestwithoutportfolio@wordpress.com or call 07813519092.

Poetry of the Stars Wednesday 17th November 2021 7-9.30pm (refreshments and torch-lit tours of garden from 6.30pm). £35 per person to include supper and take home gift.

Cradled Friday 3rd December 2021 10-3pm (refreshments and tours of the garden from 9.30am). £40 per person to include lunch and take home gift).

Cradled Thursday 9th December 20217-9.30pm (refreshments and torch-lit tours of garden from 6.30pm). £35 per person to include supper and take home gift.