DECEMBER 2017 In this issue

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2017 In this issue FROM THE EDITOR... 2 COME CLOSER EXPLORING CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY... 3 THE PRAYER PACK... 4 From the Prayer Pack: Using your imagination in prayer... 4 QUIET DAYS AND RETREATS... 7 Thinking of arranging a retreat for your parish?... 7 FUTURE SPIRITUALITY COURSES AND EVENTS: INVITING YOUR VIEWS (ONCE AGAIN)... 8 QUESTIONNAIRE: FUTURE SPIRITUALITY COURSES AND EVENTS... 9 EVENTS DECEMBER 2017 JUNE 2018 BY MONTH RECURRING EVENTS AND VENUES RETREAT HOUSES... 16

2 FROM THE EDITOR A warm welcome to this December issue of the Rochester Diocese Spirituality Network newsletter, in which we take a closer look at a course called Closer, report back on how the Prayer Pack has been received in the Diocese, and talk a little more about Quiet Days. As always, we include a list of organised courses and events from across the Diocese, running from December 2017 until June There certainly is much on offer for those wishing to deepen their spirituality during advent and Lent. We also revisit our questionnaire from the previous issue (July), in which we invited your views regarding the future direction of courses and events. Unfortunately, we did not receive many responses maybe because of the timing (summer holidays), or perhaps the process of returning the completed questionnaires was a little cumbersome. As we would still very much like to hear your views, we hope you may take a few minutes to ponder the questions and provide your responses in whatever format is most convenient to you. We will be very grateful to receive these via post or . Again, we encourage you to please help grow the Spiritual Network by sharing this newsletter with as many people as possible why not upload it and add a link to it on your church website, or leave a few paper copies at the back of your church! And if anyone would like to be added to the mailing list, they can contact Revd Susanne Carlsson (contact details at the end of this newsletter). Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, on behalf of all the Stream Team, an Advent of joyful anticipation and a peaceful Christmas. Karin Dixon Chapel window, 65 Mainstone Road, Chatham 2

3 COME CLOSER... EXPLORING CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY Closer is a one-year experiential course in Christian spirituality that offers both exploration and experience of the depth of Christian spirituality. As well as learning about the different spiritual traditions within Christianity, participants are encouraged to explore their own relationship with God, to try new ways of praying, and to discern God s will in their decision making both during and after each course session. The seven sessions run on non-consecutive Saturdays throughout the year, from 10:30 3 pm, with the intention that participants should endeavour to attend all. The feedback we have received from this course has been very positive, for example: Thank you so much to you and your team for enabling us to journey with you and other companions over the course of one year, to explore and deepen our relationship with God and each other we have found it immensely useful, uplifting and life-giving in the growth of our life deeper in God s love. We enjoyed the peaceful, calm environment with log fires, a summer house, simple chapel and a chance to journey under the caring guidance and teaching of spirituality directors to explore a deeper and closer relationship with God, and found it well worth signing up to 7 Saturdays over a year. [Hilary & Peter Ruxton] We are very pleased to announce that from 2018 the course will be offered in two locations in the Diocese: one will be running at 65 Maidstone Road, starting on 17 February 2018 with the final session on 1 December; another will start later in the year in the Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry (venue and dates to be confirmed). For further information, please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson (contact details at end of this newsletter). 3

4 THE PRAYER PACK The Prayer Pack covers different ways of praying that can be used in parishes and in other groups to deepen their prayer life. We have received many enquiries about the pack, delivered quite a number of presentations already, and the comments we have received about these have been very positive: Our prayer meetings have benefitted from having a member of the team come and lead our small group in different ways of praying using the prayer pack. We chose a selection from the pack that was diverse, in order to gain different experiences. We were willing to give everything a go and discovered from this our own personal preferences to praying. The diversity within the pack meant we gained experiences in praying in silence, with icons, prayer using images and symbols, using our imagination, using creativity, and praying using scripture from the bible. From this experience we have gained confidence to not only repeat the exercises but to add our own ideas. The prayer pack helped us to think and pray outside the box and introduced us to exciting, new and fresh ideas. Prayer doesn t have to be dull! I would recommend other churches to give it a go. It s really beneficial having someone come along and lead you to expand your mind and challenge you into different ways of praying. [Sally Bloor, St Mary s Island Church, Chatham] If you would like the Prayer Pack to be presented in your parish, and/or if you want to learn how to deliver the pack yourself, please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson. We have reproduced one of the leaflets below to give you a taste of what the Prayer Pack is all about. From the Prayer Pack: Using your imagination in prayer 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. 4

5 Imaginative Prayer or Imaginative Contemplation is frequently associated with St.Ignatius of Loyola ( ), as it is one of the suggested ways of praying found in his Spiritual Exercises. But imaginative Prayer was certainly practiced long before the 16th century. One of the principal methods (forms) of prayer in the Spiritual Exercises is imaginative contemplation/reflection, when we are personally invited to enter fully into the scenes from the Gospels. It has therefore become widely known as Ignatian contemplation. This way of praying with the imagination can be a very effective way of getting to know Jesus more intimately and learning to follow him more closely. Some Biblical texts that can be used for practicing this way of praying: Mat 8:23-27 and 14:22-33; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 5:1-11 and 19:1-10; John 4:1-42, 12:1-8 and 21:1-19. Book suggestions Gallagher, Timothy (2008) Meditation and Contemplation, An Ignatian Guide to Praying with Scripture. Crossroad Publishing Company. Lonsdale, David (2000) Eyes to See, Ears to Hear, Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality. Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd. Websites Front cover image: Praying with the Bible Using your imagination in prayer Glory be to Him, whose power working within us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. 5 [Eph 3:20]

6 In imaginative contemplation we enter into a life event or story passage of Scripture by way of imagination, making use of all our senses. The Spirit of Jesus guides and teaches us, enabling us to let our present reality meet the reality and truth of the Gospel. We become present to the mysteries of Christ s life. Choose a passage. Take a few minutes to get into a relaxed attentiveness. Read the passage a few times to familiarise yourself with it. Remember that these words are God s words, and that they speak to you, here and now. Put the passage to one side and imagine that the events described in the passage are happening now, right before you: You see the people, the place, the buildings; you feel the breeze, the sunshine; you hear the sounds, take in the smells and the taste don t worry about what bubbles to the surface. Try and picture yourself present in that place and time. Take part in what is happening: You are in it, talking to Jesus. This is your prayer. Don t worry if your imagination takes you away from the details of the passage, the historical or geographical facts. Whatever happens during this contemplation, spend a little time at the end of it being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit.as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak from the heart, simply and honestly. Don t lose heart if you find yourself distracted or unable to imagine. Keep returning to the passage if you need to, gently bringing yourself back to it. It may need practice! If nothing seems to be happening even after several attempts, do stay with it. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that nothing happening times can also be significant. When you re ready, 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. 6

7 QUIET DAYS AND RETREATS There is a growing desire among people to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and take time to reflect, to explore their spiritual life and deepen their relationship with God. A Quiet Day is essentially a way of going on retreat for one day. For those who have not done this before, it can be a gentle introduction to a retreat, while for the more experienced it provides time and space to stop and be refreshed. Group quiet days will usually start at 10am and finish by 4 pm; there will be input by a leader on the theme of the day as well as an opportunity to spend time on your own, in silent refection. At 65 Maidstone Road in Chatham there are several spaces for private prayer and reflection: two chapels, the garden room and weather permitting the garden itself (images top and right are the upstairs chapel and garden, resp.). Following the very positive feedback on the Quiet Day held there on 23 September, three further dates are already in the diary for Lent (10 and 31 March), and Thy Kingdom Come (12 May). If you are looking to go on a planned Quiet Day or retreat, please see the Events section at the end of this newsletter for other dates and venues. Of course, you may also want to spend a day or longer in a retreat house on your own. There is a list of retreat houses in London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and even the North of France on the Rochester Diocese website: or contact Susanne Carlsson for further information. Thinking of arranging a retreat for your parish? There is a group of people within the Spirituality Network who would be very happy to facilitate the day for you. For more information please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson. 7

8 Accessible Light are a husband-and-wife team based near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, who are willing to travel across the UK to come to your Church and run a Quiet Day for up to 30 people. They will provide biblical input and an opportunity for participants to have one-to-one prayer sessions. The Revd Christine Spurway is a recently retired vicar and Area Dean in the Southwark Diocese; her husband Martin Swindlehurst a retired senior BT manager. For more information you can consult their website: The list of events at the back also includes two Lent retreat days organised and run by Accessible Light (in February and March). FUTURE SPIRITUALITY COURSES AND EVENTS: INVITING YOUR VIEWS (ONCE AGAIN) The scope of the spirituality ministries in the diocese has broadened considerably over the past few years. With new courses, new speakers and new venues now available, we want to consult more widely on what needs we should be trying to meet. For this reason, we are repeating our questionnaire from the July issue of this newsletter, to give you another chance to submit your views if you haven t already. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping us to ensure that we are developing training and events that match your needs, which will then inform our future planning. We now have two venues 65 Maidstone Road, Chatham and St Benedict s Centre, West Malling, but we are open to further suggestions. We would also be interested in hearing more about your particular areas of interest for instance, are you looking for further training and development in your practice as a spiritual director? Or is your current focus on your personal spiritual walk and prayer life? Or perhaps you are more interested in further broadening of your knowledge base of the different traditions and approaches to spirituality and prayer life? We really hope you will take this opportunity to help shape our future events programme. If you do choose to participate in this survey, you can either print the questionnaire, complete it and return it to the address provided, or simply or write to us expressing your views, using the questions from the questionnaire as a guide. We eagerly anticipate hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your contribution to this process! 8 Paul Stevens STREAM

9 QUESTIONNAIRE: YOUR VIEWS ON FUTURE SPIRITUALITY COURSES AND EVENTS 1. When would you prefer to attend and what length of time? (Please circle your preferences) Saturday Weekday any preference Weekday evening Whole Day Half day 2. How many events would you like/be able to attend each year (on average)? Please give approximate number or frequency (once a month, twice a year ) 3. What would be your preferred venue? (Please circle your preferences) Maidstone Road, Chatham ME4 6DP (accommodates 12 max) St Benedict s Centre, West Malling, ME19 6JX (accommodates larger groups) Other venue: (Please specify below) 4. What topics would you like to be covered? (Please circle which ones apply) Further training in spiritual direction Developing prayer life Introduction to different traditions Other: (Please specify below). 5. Would you like to add any other comments, questions, preferences or requirements that will help us in deciding on future course and events? (Please provide below or on a separate sheet). Please send or your replies to: Val Butler, St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SL val.butler@rochester.anglican.org 9

10 EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2017 JUNE 2018 BY MONTH To book for any of these events or for further information, please contact the organisers/venue (details in the next section, Regular events and venues), unless other contact details are provided. December 2017 Sat 2 Dec: A quiet pause in Advent 10 4 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. With Sr. Christiane. Fri 8 Sun 10 Dec: The Seasons (a series of four separate retreats) Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. Winter: Dormancy and Expectation. Inner spiritual growth associated with the seasons. Craft and art materials will be provided. There will be times for quiet reflection and opportunities for worship. Tues 12 Dec: Quiet Day Studies in the Life of John the Baptist 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. Led by The Ven Simon Burton-Jones. Wed 13 Dec: An Advent Quiet Evening pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Input, reflection in silence finishing with prayer with the community. January 2018 Sat 13 Jan 2018 Sat 10 Nov 2019: Rochester Canterbury Spiritual Accompaniment course, first year (6 Saturdays) St Benedict's Centre, West Malling, Kent. Please contact Susanne Carlsson for further details. Tues 9 Jan: Quiet Day Whole Person Prayer 10-4 pm, Lady Chapel, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. Led by Rev Carol Morrison. Fri 19 Jan: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity for silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. February Tues 13 Feb: Quiet Day Our Identity in Christ 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. Led by Rev Mandy Carr. 10

11 Fri 16 Feb: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity to enjoy silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. Sat 17 Feb: A Quiet Pause in Lent 10 4 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Led by Sister Christiane. Wed 21 & 28 Feb: Women who inspired Jesus. A Lenten Journey 21 Feb: (1) Jesus Mother 28 Feb: (2) In Daily Life 10 1 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Input using Gospel texts and Works of Art, personal quiet time, possibility to use art and creativity. No artistic skills needed. Led by Sister Marie-Christine. Book for the whole series (there are 3 further sessions in March), or one or more mornings. Sat 24 Feb: A Lenten retreat day of sacred space with prayer ministry 10 3:30 pm, St Peter s Upper Church, Pembury. Organised by Accessible Light. Contact: rev.chistine54@btinternet.com March Sat 3 Mar: Ongoing training: Spiritual Direction and mental health pm, St Benedict s Centre, West Malling, Kent. We will explore what can aid our ministry with people who struggle with mental health difficulties. With Catherine Armstrong, who has been a spiritual director for 10 years and is a tutor on the Encounter course at the London centre for spiritual direction. Her MA dissertation at Heythrop was on mental health and spiritual direction. Please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson Sat 3 Mar: A retreat day of sacred space with prayer ministry 10 3 pm, Burrswood, Groomsbridge, Kent. Organised by Accessible Light. Wed 7, 14 & 21 Mar: Women who inspired Jesus. A Lenten Journey 7 Mar: (3) In his Public Ministry 14 Mar: (4) Mary and Martha 21 Mar: (5) At the foot of the Cross 10 1 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Input using Gospel texts and Works of Art, personal quiet time, possibility to use art and creativity. No artistic skills needed. Led by Sister Marie-Christine. Book for the whole series, or one or more mornings. Fri 9- Sun 11 Mar: A Lenten Retreat. A silent retreat for beginners with personal accompaniment Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. 11

12 Sat 10 Mar: A Lenten quiet day 10 4 pm, 65 Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent. Please contact madeleine.dahl@outlook.com / Wed 14 Mar: Lenten Quiet Evening with Input, reflection in silence finishing with prayer with the community 7.30pm - 9pm. Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Tues 13 Mar: Quiet Day Enjoying Adventures with God 10am 4pm, Lady Chapel, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. Led by Jen Larcombe. Mon 19 Mar: Space for God. Time and venue TBC. Please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson. Fri 23 Mar: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity to enjoy silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. Mon 26 Wed 28 Mar (Holy Week): Journeying in Silence with Jesus in the footsteps of His Passion Daily 2 9 pm & 7.30 pm 8 pm prayer with the community, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. A time to contemplate the Passion through word, music and image. Come for the whole or part of the afternoon/evening. (A detailed programme will be published nearer the time.) Sat 31 Mar: A quiet afternoon by the Tomb 1 4 pm, 65 Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent. Please contact madeleine.dahl@outlook.com / April Sat 14 April: Easter Retreat Day. Exploring the Easter mystery with Mary Magdalen and the Pilgrims of Emmaus 10 4 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. An Art-Workshop Retreat. No artistic skills required. Limited number. Led by Mary Chamberlin and Sister Marie-Christine. Fri 20 Apr: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity to enjoy silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. 12

13 Sat 28 April: A Sabbath Day On the Seventh day God rested 10 4 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Short input, a time to pause, rest, reflect in silence, available tools include music, image and word. Led by Sister Marie-Christine. Come for the morning, afternoon or both. Booking essential. May Sat 12 May: Quiet day 10 4 pm, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent. Part of Thy Kingdom Come. Please contact madeleine.dahl@outlook.com / Sat 12 May: Catholic Spirituality Network day Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. A day of Spiritual Refreshment with input, reflection and sharing. More details of speaker and topic to follow. Non-members welcome. For bookings contact membership Secretary Margaret Palladino at CSN catholicspiritualitynetwork@gmail.com or phone Sun 13 May: Open Afternoon at the Sisters of St Andrew 2pm 5.30pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. The sisters invite you to come and enjoy their Urban Oasis: a time to meet each other, relax in the garden, walk the labyrinth; have tea. 4.30pm Prayer with the community in the chapel. Come for the whole afternoon or simply drop in when you are free. Fri 18 May: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity to enjoy silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. June Mon 11 Jun: A Sabbath Day On the Seventh day God rested 10 4 pm, Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham. Short input, a time to pause, rest, reflect in silence, available tools include music, image and word. Led by Sister Clare. Come for the morning, afternoon or both. Booking Essential. Sat 16 Jun: Beyond the edge Transitions for adventurous souls 10-3 pm, St Benedict s Centre, West Malling, Kent. Speaker: The Revd Canon Andrew D Mayes, Adviser for Spirituality and a parish priest in the Diocese of Chichester. He has lived in Jerusalem for some years, latterly as Course Director of St George's College. He is the author of Beyond the Edge: Spiritual Transitions for adventurous Soul. Bring your own lunch, a donation towards the day. Please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson 13

14 Fri 22 Jun: Silent Space 10 4 pm, Burrswood, Groombridge, Kent. An opportunity to enjoy silence in the Lady Chapel. Resources available for Lectio Divina, Sensio Divina and Visio Divina. RECURRING EVENTS AND VENUES St Benedict's Centre, West Malling, Kent 52 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6JX Phone / bookings@stbenedictscentre.org For individuals: St Benedict s Centre offers freshly refurbished study rooms with WiFi, desk and comfortable chairs for you to write, read, rest, retreat or recharge. There is also space to sit outside and enjoy some of the beautiful grounds and gardens. You are welcome to attend services in the Community Chapel. Tea and coffee is available as required and you can bring your own lunch or buy something in West Malling. Rooms available from 9 6 pm Monday to Saturday for a daily charge of 12. For groups: a variety of rooms available for groups from 2 to 45 people. Suitable for training, retreats, presentations, conferences rooms can be booked per session (morning, afternoon or evening). Rooms are equipped with Plasma TVs, WiFi and flipcharts. Tea and coffee is available at no extra cost and we can advise you on food options if your programme is for more than one session. The Bothy, St James Church, North Cray, Kent North Cray, Kent, DA14 5EQ, Enquiries: Wilma Ingleson-Cook or Revd Ren Harding The Bothy is situated in historic and idyllic surroundings in the Churchyard of St James Church, North Cray, North- West Kent, in easy reach of the A2/ A20. Adjacent to Footscray Meadows, and close to the lovely Five Arches Bridge. Facilities: Kitchen; meeting room for 30 people; enclosed garden area; off-road parking; access to the church if required. 14

15 Burrswood Health and Wellbeing, Groomsbridge, Kent Bird in Hand Lane, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9PY. Reservations: Companions of Christ/65 Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent 65 Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6DP. Contact: Rev Susanne Carlsson / susannecarlsson@hotmail.co.uk. Venue for organised Quiet Days and accompanied or selfguided retreats. For further information see attic-retreats-65-maidstone-road-chatham.php St Georges Church, Beckenham High St, Beckenham BR3 1AX St Georges Parish Office - Ph office@stgeorgesbeckenham.co.uk Healing & Wholeness Eucharists - First Tuesday of each month 7.30 pm 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 Eucharist Third Tuesday of each month 7.30 pm 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 at 3.30 pm Julian meetings begin with 30 minutes of silent prayer followed by refreshments and fellowship. 15

16 London Spirituality Centre Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA Tel: Website List of events: The Sisters of St Andrew, Lewisham Sisters of St Andrew, 99 Belmont Hill, SE13 5DY Lewisham T: website: For individuals: Oasis days: A time to chill out for a couple of hours/half a day/a day or an overnight. To pause, rest, reflect in our urban oasis. Come before or after a programme event. Own room, use of the chapel and gardens, with the possibility to talk with one of the sisters (please check availability at time of booking). Booking in advance essential For groups: Venue for meetings up to people. Come Away One Thursday a month am pm For those who care for a loved one suffering from ill-health. A time to come away, to pause, reflect, listen, and share. Check dates on website or call. Led by Sister Regula. Meditative evening prayer: Last Wednesday of the month pm January; 28 February, 28 March (Holy Week); 25 April; 30 May; 27 June. RETREAT HOUSES A list of retreat facilities in London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and the North of France can be found on the Rochester Diocese website: 16

17 For any enquiries about this newsletter and the Spiritual Network, please contact: The Revd Susanne Carlsson Adviser for Spirituality in Rochester Diocese Phone This newsletter is produced by STREAM, the steering group of the Rochester Diocese spirituality network. Members: Susanne Carlsson (Adviser for the Spiritual Network), Anne Critchley, Karin Dixon, Pat Percival, Paul Prentice, Sue Robertson, Margaret Seakens, Sue Smith, Paul Stevens and Elaine Wilkins. Back to Contents 17