The evenings are drawing in. Christmas encroaches. How do we find time to connect with God, connect with others, connect with our inner selves?

Petite Retreats, or Quiet Days, are a great way of making a break in our daily lives, taking time to pause, to reflect. It is wonderful to be able to take time away from home, to travel to a ‘thin place’, a place where people have prayed before us and created a spiritual space. That isn’t always possible and sometimes we need to be able to create that space for ourselves at home. But how do we create space?

We have to be intentional. We have to deliberately set aside time, clear a space that will be free from distractions, turn the phone off, clear household tasks, and make a plan. How will the day be spent? How will we enable our souls to slow down from the fast pace of life and open up to the gentle rhythms of Jesus’ love?

Finding a DIY retreat is one way to do this. A series of readings and thoughts to break up the day and to give guidance as to how we can shape this time set aside. Online retreats are another possibility, and this is something I am venturing into.

It has been such a delight to see people slow down and engage with God at the beautiful Quiet Garden which has hosted the Petite Retreats, but what about those who struggle to leave home? What about those who live too far away to attend a Petite Retreat? What about those who are still shielding and feel uncomfortable in groups of people?

This advent I will be holding an in-person advent retreat at the Quiet Garden. There will be meditations throughout the day, prayer notes to ponder and take home to reflect upon, there will be a shared lunch, and of course the peace and space that this thin place provides. I will also be holding on-line versions of the retreats. Meditations will be delivered via zoom at set points in the day and each retreatant will be sent envelopes to be opened at each point.

The theme of the day will be ‘Cradled’ with moments to consider the cradle in which Jesus was laid as a newborn, but also opportunities for us to be cradled within God’s love. The log cabin at the Quiet Garden is perfectly cosy to feel cradled in, for those at home there is the comfort of being in a known space.

If you would like to join me, to be cradled in God’s love, please email me priestwithoutportfolio@gmail.com or call 0781 351 9092.

Cradled at Medina Quiet Garden, Friday 3rd December 2021 £40 to include lunch, prayer cards, and small take home gift.

Cradled Online, Saturday 4th December and Wednesday 8th December 2021 £15 to include online meditations and prayer cards.