Why retreat
Retreat is …
- setting apart time to be with God
- space to rest in quietness and solitude and find healing for your soul
- being still and listening
- time to receive emotional renewal and spiritual nourishment
- time to reflect and be envisioned
Walter Brueggemann in his great book ‘Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now’ calls us to leave our busy, frenetic, anxious, workaholic, consumer culture and draw aside to a place of peace. To leave the brick-making slavery of Egypt and enter the promised land.
‘Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.’
‘Our true challenge is to return to the centre, to the heart, and to find there the gentle voice that speaks to us and affirms us in a way no human voice ever could.’
‘The Lord is my shepherd, he makes me lie down in green pastures’
Psalm 23
First time on retreat
It may be your first time on retreat and you may feel nervous, not sure what it will be like. Think of it as a holiday with God. Let stillness soak into you, have sleep you likely need, and let rest and the unaccustomed time and quietness seep into your soul.
When we choose to draw away from the noise of the world and set apart time to be still, we can be joyfully surprised and expectant to hear the quiet whispers of God.
Retreat options
There are flexible retreat options for everyone. Whether for a day, several days, or even a few hours. Guests can choose to spend time completely on their own in solitude, or take up the invitation of a guided retreat day. Monthly abiding mornings are another option with worship and soaking prayer, and this could extend into the afternoon for a personal retreat time. During retreat weeks, there is the option to join in with our retreat programme of prayer, worship, short teachings and reflection times.
Time on your own...
During time on your own, you may choose to simply rest, settling yourself into the quietness and space. You can listen to or read the Bible, read a book, take time to journal or be creative. You can refer to our retreat pack, enjoy a coffee in a snug lounge area, go for a walk or find a resting place by the river or in the gardens that surround the mill.
Prayer and guidance
We do not offer prayer counselling but we can offer a listening ear, and we are very happy to pray with you.
Group retreat
You are welcome to come as a group to take time to seek God together. You could come along to one of the monthly abiding mornings and book a room for the afternoon; or you could book a room for the day or have an overnight stay – with space to rest, be creative, reflect, pray and listen to God.
Retreat weeks
You are welcome to book in for a day retreat, or you can book in to come and stay for one or more nights. We set apart some weeks of the year specifically for guests on retreat, and we don’t take bookings for large groups. When you book during a retreat week date, all the lounges and main rooms are available for use, and you are welcome to join in with as much or as little as you like of the retreat programme. You are welcome to book outside of retreat week dates but lounges may not be available as we may have groups booked in. Go to the events page to find retreat week dates.
