Summer 2018 In this issue

Summer 2018 In this issue FROM THE EDITOR... 2 PRAYER FESTIVAL AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL... 3 Workshops... 4 OTHER EVENTS... 8 Spiritual Network... 8 Dates for your diary beyond 2018... 9 Companions of Christ, Chatham... 9 St Benedict's Centre, West Malling, Kent... 10 Sisters of St Andrew: an Urban Oasis... 10 Burrswood Health and Wellbeing, Groomsbridge, Kent... 11 The Bothy, St James Church, North Cray, Kent... 12 St Georges Church, Beckenham... 12 London Spirituality Centre... 12 RETREAT HOUSES... 13

Chapel window, 65 Mainstone Road, Chatham FROM THE EDITOR A warm welcome to this issue of the Rochester Diocese Spirituality Network newsletter, in which we are delighted to bring you news of a special event organised by the Spiritual Network: a Prayer Festival to be held at Rochester Cathedral on Saturday 22 September. It is bound to broaden your prayer horizons! There are of course other events on offer over the coming months and, as usual, this newsletter gives details of these as well. There is certainly no lack of opportunity for deepening your spirituality over the summer /early autumn! As always, we encourage you also to please help grow the Spiritual Network by sharing this newsletter with as many people as possible you could simply upload it and link to it from your church website, or leave a few paper copies at the back of your church. If anyone would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Revd Susanne Carlsson (you can find her contact details at the end of this newsletter). May you have a sunny, peaceful and prayerful summer! Karin Dixon Editor 2

PRAYER FESTIVAL AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL Building on the momentum of Thy Kingdom Come, during which more than 300 prayer events brought together different prayer traditions and denominations across the Diocese, the Spirituality Network are in the process of organising a Prayer Festival. This will respond to people s obvious desire to find new ways of praying, from using web resources and poetry to praying with music and art. There is of course no right or wrong way of praying: no matter how inexperienced we are at it, many of us already do it in our own unique way often without even realising it. But if you are a little unsure of how to do it, or inspiration has run dry and you are looking to inject new zest into your prayer life, the festival is bound to provide some new and exciting ideas. Trying something different can be refreshing and helpful not only to ourselves, but also to others as we may help them to pray. The Festival will explore the rich tradition of Christian prayer and give you a truly unique opportunity to take part in worship. You will also be hearing speakers such as Philip Hesketh (Dean of Rochester Cathedral) talking about prayer, and you can even take part in workshops that will offer an experience of different ways of praying, all to deepen our encounters with God. 3

Bishop James adds his invitation: "During Thy Kingdom Come we prayed not only for the coming in of God s kingdom in the whole world and in the life of the Church, but afresh for us in our own lives day by day, so I would invite everyone to take the opportunity to be supported in growing their prayer-life through this Prayer Festival. Timings 10.15 Registration and Coffee 10.45 Welcome by Bishop James; talk by Philip Hesketh 11.45 Workshop 1 12.30 Lunch (bring your own) 13.00 Workshop 2 14.00 Closing worship Workshops You will need to reserve your place to take part in a workshop. Please book online at http://www.rochester.anglican.org/communications/news/prayer festival.php Creating a Prayer Space with Sue Smith This workshop will explore how the physical spaces we inhabit at home, work or church can be easily transformed, or temporarily reclaimed, to designate them more clearly as prayer space for us in our daily lives. Part of the workshop will give an opportunity to spend time in silent prayer in a space we have created. Sue Smith is an ordained priest in the Church of England and has a role as a spiritual director in Rochester and Canterbury Diocese. 4

She practices contemplation and sees silence as a vital aspect of her own prayer life and spirituality The Prayer Pack - using different Ways of Prayer with groups with Elaine Wilkins This workshop will be an experience of using the Prayer Pack, which is available to all groups who wish to broaden their prayer life. There will be an opportunity to have a personal time of reflection and prayer as we explore one of the many ways of being present to God. We will also have time to reflect on our experiences together at the end of the workshop. Elaine Wilkins is a member of the spirituality network and a spiritual accompanier for the Rochester diocese. Organising a Week of Accompanied Prayer with Margaret Seakens A week of accompanied prayer provides an opportunity to explore closeness to God by listening and talking to him more in the midst of our everyday work and occupations. A team of prayer companions are invited to come and spend a week a parish for a week to encourage and accompany people on their individual prayer journey. The workshop will cover practicalities on how to organise this week, and also an opportunity to experience a taste of how it is to take part. Margaret Seakens is involved in the ministry of accompanying people on their spiritual journeys and has organised two weeks of accompanied prayer for her parish in Tonbridge. Prayer Ministry Accessible Light A workshop for those active in prayer ministry, or who want to begin prayer ministry. The workshop will include teaching about running prayer ministry, issues that are common and potential pitfalls. Participants will have the opportunity to practice praying for one another during the workshop. 5

Rev Christine Spurway and her husband Martin Swindlehurst run a quiet day ministry entitled 'Accessible Light' in churches in both Rochester and Southwark dioceses. They also work as Pastoral Helpers at Lee Abbey Christian Community in Devon. Praying with Poetry with Penny Bird How might a poem be a gateway in to prayer? Where can you find appropriate poems and how do you begin such prayer? We shall explore these questions together, have an experience of praying with poetry and share our thoughts. Penny Bird is an Ignatian Spiritual Director, a Reader in Southwark Diocese, and is experienced in leading contemplative worship. Praying with Images Barry Preece Just as one can use words, a passage of scripture or a poem, so one can also use an image for reflection and prayer. Orthodox Christians have used icons as a focus of prayer for many centuries. Other types of images should never be equated with icons, but they, too, can be a rich resource. By giving a suitable image our full attention we may be led to a deeper understanding of God and awareness of his presence. In this workshop we will use photographic images that are not overtly religious. Barry Preece, a former Spirituality Adviser for the Diocese of Guildford, is a retired priest living in Kent who, as well as leading retreats and offering spiritual direction, is Chair of both the Retreat Association and the Association for Promoting Retreats. He is a keen photographer and often uses images in his ministry. Praying with Web Resources with Karin Dixon The web offers a wealth of prayer resources that can help us along our faith journey. This workshop will explore ways in which we can use the internet to enrich our prayer life. This workshop 6

requires no IT expertise other than knowing how to access and search the internet. Karin Dixon is a spiritual director, member of the Spirituality Network in Rochester and the editor of its newsletter The Current. Finding your Rule of Life with Marion Syms Just as a new shoot from a vine needs a trellis to guide and support its healthy growth so we, like a tender plant, need something to give us support as we walk along our journey through the world. To help in crafting our own personal rule of life this workshop will offer encouraging, yet challenging, questions to enable reflection on four areas of our life: our relationship with God, with all of creation, with the various people whose lives touch ours and with our own deepest self. Since we are always changing and growing, our rule can act as a provisional trellis, to help us stay balanced, fresh and on course. Marion is passionate about helping others find their own rhythm to enable them to become present to the presence of God in their everyday lives. As a member of the Portsmouth Spirituality Network, she teaches on the Diocesan Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction Training programmes and is engaged in spiritual direction, supervision and counselling. Praying with Music Janet McDonald Music can help in a number of ways in prayer: to focus; to express ourselves and to deepen our experience of God within and around us. This workshop will explore a few of these areas, suggesting music and ways of using music in prayer. Janet is a music therapist who works in the L Arche Kent community. She is also a spiritual director and coordinator for Weeks of Accompanied prayer in the Canterbury Diocese. In addition to worship and workshops, there will also be an opportunity to explore and experience spiritual accompaniment during short sessions. Please speak to a steward on the day. 7

For further information, please visit http://www.rochester.anglican.org/communications/news/prayer festival.php or contact Revd Susanne Carlsson (contact details at end of this newsletter). OTHER EVENTS Spiritual Network Tue 30 Oct, 10 4 pm THE ENNEAGRAM AND SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT St Benedict's, West Malling. A day for Spiritual Accompaniers. You do not need to have experience of the enneagram. The day will be facilitated by Sister Felicity and Sister Margaret who are experienced spiritual accompaniers and have given input on the Enneagram to different groups for many years. Donation 10-20. Bring a Packed lunch, drinks provided. Sat 3 Nov, 9.30 1 pm SPACE FOR GOD IN MY DAY (EXAMEN) Christ Church Orpington, Charterhouse Rd, Orpington BR6 9EP. This session will help you explore how to reflect on your day using the Ignatian Review of the Day, the Examen. There will be some input about the Examen and time to reflect on your day. Sat 17 Nov 10.30 3.30 pm HOW DO I RECOGNISE GOD IN MY EVERYDAY LIFE? Discernment in the Ignation tradition Led by Rev Susanne Carlsson. Course fee 30, bring own lunch. To book please contact office@staugustinescollege.ac.uk or ring 01732 252 656 8

Dates for your diary beyond 2018 On-going Training for Spiritual Accompaniers, Sat 16 Feb 2019 Pilgrimage to Oberammergau, September 2020 A pilgrimage is being planned and led by Jan Thompson (licensed Reader), who was there in 2000 and 2010. Please contact Jan for full details or to discuss: 01322 683062 or holysmoke@talktalk.net Companions of Christ, Chatham 65 Maidstone Road Chatham, Kent ME4 6DP http://www.rochester.anglican.org/mi nistry/religiouscommunities/companions-of-christ/ Saturday 29 September, 10am-2pm Family Quiet Day: The Lord is my shepherd An opportunity for people from different generations to come together in prayer. Aimed at Primary School children (from the age of 4) and their parents and other carers. We will spend parts of the day together and parts of it in age groups. Adults can accompany their children to their group if they don t want to be on their own. It will be a meditative day with a taste of silence and where we also will reflect together. Led by Madeleine Dahl, Sue Smith and Glynis Elmore. Bring your own packed lunch. Light refreshments will be provided. There is no charge, but donations are welcome. To book, please contact Madeleine Dahl, 07469 246443 / madeleine.dahl@outlook.com Accompanied or self-guided retreats (Attic Retreats): see http://www.rochester.anglican.org/communications/news/atticretreats-65-maidstone-road-chatham.php 9

St Benedict's Centre, West Malling, Kent 52 Swan Street West Malling, Kent ME19 6JX Phone 01732 252650 bookings@stbenedictscentre.org Offers day rooms and facilities for individuals and groups and hosts a number of events. Please visit https://stbenedictscentre.org/programme/ Sisters of St Andrew: an Urban Oasis 99 Belmont Hill SE13 5DY Lewisham Phone 0208 852 1662 e-mail: welcome@sisters-of-st-andrew.com website: www.sisters-of-st-andrew.com Sat 15 Sep, 10am for 10.30am - 4pm Reflection Day We did not inherit the earth from our forebears, we only borrow it from our children. How can I/we care for our common home? Led by Sisters Clare and Regula. Other events at the Sisters of St Andrew: Oasis days; Come Away ; Meditative evening prayer. We also offer spiritual direction, individually guided retreats, private retreats and supervision of spiritual direction. Please contact us for more information. 10

Burrswood Health and Wellbeing, Groomsbridge, Kent Bird in Hand Lane, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9PY. If you would like to know more or wish to book a place, contact the Reservations Team on 01892 865988 or email: reservations@burrswood.org.uk Quiet days 14 Aug, 11 Sep. Silent Space 31 Aug, 21 Sep Christian Mindfulness Every Thursday, drop-in session 3 4pm Christian Mindfulness Workshops Last Saturday of the month 10.15 2.30 pm. Sat 18 Aug 10am-2.30pm Accessible Light sacred space With prayer ministry for those searching for God s Light. Donations for the work of Burrswood. Fri 21 Sep, 10am Sun 23 Sep, 4pm Ignatian retreat A silent, individually accompanied retreat. 265 pp includes includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals and daily Ignatian accompaniment. Sat 22 Sun 23 Sep 10am 4pm each day Christian Mindfulness Retreat Making space for God. A practical course learning to be more present to God, each other, and the world around us. 175 pp includes all tuition, meals and one night s accommodation. Sun 30 Sep, 3pm 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service Church of Christ the Healer Service of Thanksgiving for 70 years of health wellbeing and ministry at Burrswood with the Rt Revd James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester. RSVP 01892 865988. 11

The Bothy, St James Church, North Cray, Kent Churchyard of St James Church, North Cray, Kent, DA14 5EQ. Enquiries: Wilma Ingleson-Cook 0208 3025524 or Revd Ren Harding 01322 528923 Facilities: Kitchen; meeting room for 30 people; enclosed garden area; off-road parking; access to the church if required. St Georges Church, Beckenham High St, Beckenham BR3 1AX St Georges Parish Office - Ph 020 8663 6996 / office@stgeorgesbeckenham.co.uk Healing & Wholeness Eucharists - First Tuesday of each month, 7.30 pm Contemplative Eucharist Third Tuesday of each month, 7.30 pm Julian Group Meetings Fourth Friday of each month, 3.30 pm London Spirituality Centre Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA Tel: 020 7621 1391 / info@spiritualitycentre.org Website: http://www.spiritualitycentre.org List of events: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-londonspirituality-centre-3655596295. 12

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: http://www.rochester.anglican.org/ministry/spirituality/retreats For any enquiries about this newsletter and the Spiritual Network, please contact: The Revd Susanne Carlsson Adviser for Spirituality in Rochester Diocese Phone 07795 167 603 susannecarlssons@hotmail.co.uk 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 13