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Holland House is a well established Christian retreat house open to people of all faiths and none. Set on the banks of the river Avon in the pretty village of Cropthorne, Holland House is a 17th Century black and white timbered building with a partly thatched roof and four acres of gardens. Home-cooked food from the best of Worcestershire produce, local beers, fruit juices and honey from our own bee hives make Holland House an ideal venue to meet and be creative. Anniversary Appeal If you would like to support our Anniversary Appeal you can make a donation via our website or send a cheque payable to Holland House to Holland House, Main Street, Cropthorne, Pershore
CARM RETREATS AND QUIET DAYS Poetry and Prayer Some blessed Hope Friday 1st Sunday 3rd June 2018 led by Revd Clive Harper and Ann Parker We stand on the shoulders of giants ; in our time together at this weekend retreat we shall attempt to stand on the shoulders of Thomas Hardy; not the sometimes gloomy talented story teller but the inspired poet. From our vantage point we shall try to see with his eyes the things he saw and find some blessed hope to cheer us on our way. We follow in the footsteps of them that have gone before ; to this end, as we discern the direction of Thomas Hardy we shall also recall the leadership of Diana Walls over the years and give thanks for all she has given us and trust that the blessed hope which she had is now a reality for her. Do take the time to read some Hardy poetry; and if you wish, do contact either of us in advance of the retreat. You can do this through Holland House. We look forward to joining with fellow pilgrims on 1st to 3 rd June. 190 per person includes accommodation and meals
Friendly Lunches Arrive from 12noon to enjoy a drink from the bar, a 2 course set lunch will be served at 1pm followed by the talk Chris Long Piano Recitals and lunch Chris will be joining us for a trilogy of piano recitals following lunch on: Monday 13th August Friday 19th October 15 per person Booking essential on-line via our website
QUIET DAYS WITH MARIANNE RANKIN 10am 4pm Monday 10th September: Quiet Days at Home and Experiencing Nature How about taking a Quiet Day at home on your own? Marianne will guide you through. Then she will suggest imaginary journeys of reflection in nature. 32 per person including refreshments and lunch Marianne Rankin is Director of Communications for the Alister Hardy Trust and is currently researching spiritual experience for a PhD.
JOHN BELL RETREAT 4pm Friday 16th until 4pm Sunday 18th November 2018 'IN ADVANCE OF ADVENT' Reflections on the midwinter seasons before they begin, avoiding Christmas carols, nativity plays, mistletoe and partridges in pear trees". 255per person includes accommodation and meals
Enneagram Retreat with Simon Parke Arrivals from 4pm on Monday 18th March, concluding after breakfast on Friday 22nd March 2019 No matter where you are on the Enneagram journey, whether a beginner or some way down the path, here is safe, insightful space for exploration of this deep, disturbing and liberating teaching. In a contemplative spirit, including both community and silence, we will sit with the truths that arise for us along the way and see where they lead; you need bring only an open spirit. There will also be the chance to meet with Simon one-to-one if you wish. Limited spaces are available on this retreat, so you are advised to book early if you can. 390 per person Inclusive of all meals and accomodation
THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA Join us for supper on Saturday 30th June which will be followed by the 3rd visit to Holland House of the Blackheart Orchestra, a British singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist duo comprising long term collaborators Chrissy Mostyn and Richard Pilkington. The band blend musical styles in a non-conformist way seamlessly sidestepping boundaries to create their unique, highly individual, emotion-drenched music. A night not to be missed 18 to include supper at 7pm B&B accommodation available at special rate of 25 per person Please telephone Reservations to check availability
FRIENDS of HOLLAND HOUSE WEEKEND Beginning at 4pm on Friday 4th May with tea and cake and ending with a Garden Eucharist, written especially for the Holland House garden, followed by coffee and biscuits at 11am on Sunday 6th May 125 per person A Weekend in Harmony with Creation There will be opportunities to explore our experience as created and creative beings through a range of activities, talks, worship and individual or shared reflection. Guests are also welcome to stay for dinner, b&b on Sunday in return for help at the Cropthorne Walkabout
Join us for Afternoon Tea Cream Tea 5 Homemade plain and fruit scones served with Holland House raspberry preserve and clotted cream Pot of tea or coffee Full Afternoon Tea 10 Including homemade plain and fruit scones served with Holland House raspberry preserve and clotted cream, cakes of the day, selection of finger sandwiches and a pot of tea or coffee Pre-booking is essential
Richard Rohr Meditations: One Day Retreat s A series of day retreat's are on offer throughout 2018, working with the teachings of Fr Richard Rohr, Franciscan Friar, author and leader of the Centre for Action and Contemplation. Taken from "A Spring Within Us" Meditations by Richard Rohr the themes will be: Thursday 15th February Inner Experience Wednesday 11th April In the Beginning Thursday 14th June Leaving the Garden Thursday 9th August Open heart, mind and body Thursday 1st November Life as participation Each day will be led by Revd Ian Spencer and carry on from the very popular 2017 series of Practice Experience Prayer days (PEP): one day retreats on the history and practice of Christian contemplative prayer. Each day will include a short act of worship, teaching, discussion and free time to practice/consider what we have learned. Starting with morning coffee at 10am the day will conclude at 4.00pm with afternoon tea. Cost 35 to include lunch and refreshments
Yoga for Christians 10am 4pm Thursday 3rd May Thursday 26th July Thursday 18th October Thursday 6th December Led by Revd Ian Spencer, Ian is an Anglican Priest and member of Christians Practicing Yoga. He received his Yoga training through the Sadhana Mala Teacher Training School, affiliated to the Association for Yoga Studies (AYS). 35 per session includes refreshments and vegetarian lunch
Quiet Garden Days Quiet Garden Days are held monthly on a Thursday, between April and September from 10am to 4pm. The theme for 2018 is Colour The dates for 2018 are: Thursday 19th April Thursday 24th May Thursday 14th June Thursday 19th July Thursday 16th August Thursday 20th September 10 to include refreshments. For an additional 10 you can pre-book a two course set lunch.
Neil Douglas-Klotz Breathing Life of All: Chant, Movement and Contemplative Prayer with the Aramaic Jesus Friday 28th September 5pm until Sunday 30th September 4pm Since the publication of Neil Douglas-Klotz s Prayers of the Cosmos in 1990, which Dr. Matthew Fox called the seeds of a revolution, chanting and meditating with the words of Jesus in his native Aramaic language has become one of the leading methods of next-generation, community-based ritual. Using Aramaic (either aloud or silently) offers one a direct connection through vibration, sound and breath to the spirituality of person who used the words, as well as to the indigenous Christianity of the Middle East, which predates the Western creeds and original sin-based theology. In the same way that Eastern mantra can, it bypasses the overly-busy, conceptual mind and allows one to enter deeply into feeling and body. Similar to the use of centreing prayer and contemplative prayer, over the past thirty years ministers, therapists, spiritual directors and laypeople around the world have shared Aramaic body prayer in informal, inter-spiritual gatherings as well as congregations of various denominations. This meditative art combines simple, mantra-like chanting, similar to the songs of the Taize community, along with contemplative, body-based awareness, either sitting in silence or with gentle circle dance movement. It can also be used as a type of spiritual therapy process, when various sayings are combined in particular ways. This retreat will offer an experience with its originator, who will also offer suggestions for starting and leading one s own group. Ripe and blessed are those who realize that breath, and its connection to Holy Breath, is all they have. To them belongs the reign of Unity. First Beatitude in Matthew, translated from the Aramaic. Cost: 255 per person includes all meals and accommodation
The Richard Rohr Retreat 12 noon Friday 14th until 2pm Monday 17th December 2018 For several years Holland House has been offering four day retreats based on the teachings of Fr Richard Rohr OFM and the faculty of the Centre for Action and Contemplation (CAC). This year s retreat will be focusing on "scripture as spirituality", using the books "The Wisdom Jesus" (Bourgeault), "Scripture & Spirituality" (Rohr) and Jesus plan for a new world" (Rohr). The retreat is led by Revd Ian Spencer, Urs Mattman and Dorothy Littlewood (graduate of the Rohr "Living School"). Richard Rohr no longer travels outside the USA and will not be present. Only 25 places are available. As these retreats are booked-out quickly with waiting lists, it is advisable to book early. 295 per person includes accommodation and meals
2018 Diary Dates May: Thursday 3rd Friday 4th Sunday 6th Monday 7th June: Friday 1st Sunday 3rd Thursday 14th Saturday 30th July: Thursday 26th Thursday 19th August: Thursday 9th Monday 13th Thursday 16th September: Monday 10th Thursday 20th Friday 28th Sunday 30th October: Thursday 18th Friday 19th November: Thursday 1st Friday 16th Sunday 18th Yoga for Christians Weekend organised by the Friends of Holland House Cropthorne Walkabout CARM Retreat: Poetry & Prayer Richard Rohr Meditation The Blackheart Orchestra Yoga for Christians Quiet Garden Day Richard Rohr Meditation Chris Long Quiet Garden Day Quiet Days at Home and Experiencing Nature Quiet Garden Day Breathing Life of All with Neil Douglas-Klotz Yoga for Christians Chris Long Richard Rohr Meditation In Advance of Advent with John Bell
December: Thursday 6th Friday 14th-Monday 17th March 2019: Monday 18th-Friday 22nd Yoga for Christians The Richard Rohr Retreat: The Wisdom Jesus scripture and spiritual truth Enneagram with Simon Parke Visit our website and join our mailing list to keep up to date with our latest events or follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter www.hollandhouse.org All quiet days and retreats are available to book on-line
THE VIEW FROM THE HILL Need to step back for a while and take a view as to what's happened in your life, your faith, your health or work? If there's one certainty in life, it's that things change - including long-held beliefs, aspirations or desires. The View from the Hill is for anyone who needs to step back from their life-situation and have some time to take stock and perhaps deepen their experience of the presence of the divine in their life. It's an individually guided retreat (IGR) that lasts for three days during which time we sit together on our (metaphorical) hilltop. Day one involves asking why have I come to this place? and remembering the journey. Day two is about laying the past and future down, and learning to become very aware of the present moment, and what the implications are for our lives when we do that. Day three involves preparing to leave the hill, returning to the life-situation from whence we came, but perhaps better prepared for encountering it afresh. I meet with the participant twice each day, once in the morning, once in the afternoon to listen and to be a companion on the hill. Dates for the retreat by appointment Cost: 270 fully inclusive Do get in touch if you'd like to find out more, just email me at this address ian.spencer@hollandhouse.org For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills Deuteronomy 8:7
27 Bedrooms 19 Singles 7 Twin 1 Twin accessible room Drawing Room Library Conference Room Chapel Individual Prayer Room Study Holland House in Harmony with Creation Book on line at www.hollandhouse.org
Holland House, Main Street, Cropthorne, Pershore WR10 3NB Telephone 01386 860330 www.hollandhouse.org