2010 PROGRAMME
Welcome When Geoffrey and Ethel Newall gave their country estate to the Bishop of Newcastle in 1946, they hoped it would be a place of quiet retreat that those who come for knowledge may find it and those who come for rest may go away refreshed. That is still our hope in welcoming you to Shepherds Dene in 2010. This year we are offering a greater range of retreats, courses and activities in a beautiful and tranquil setting. Some retreats include times of silence and others provide an opportunity for creative expression or just to relax and make friends. In addition to the events listed on the following pages, Shepherds Dene is available for hire by church and secular groups for away days and weekends. Individual guests seeking time for reflection are always most welcome too. Keep an eye on our website at www.shepherdsdene.co.uk for news of further events or sign up for our newsletter by emailing kathryn@shepherdsdene.co.uk. You can reach us weekday mornings on 01434 682212 or call in to see us. There is normally coffee brewing and a slice of homemade cake. George Hepburn OBE Director
MON 11th - THURS 14th JANUARY The Right Revd Stephen Pedley THE GIFTS OF GOD AND THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE 225 An Epiphany silent retreat (eg. giving and receiving) exploring how the Benedictine and Anglican tradition responds to the gifting of God in a rule of life that is both ordinary and extraordinary. Stephen Pedley was sometime Bishop of Lancaster in the Diocese of Blackburn and is now retired after a long and happy ministry mostly in the Great North East, including Durham Cathedral. Visit www.shepherdsdene.co.uk for more details and news of other events FRI 19th - SUN 21st FEBRUARY The Revd Dilly Baker and Geoff Weaver PASSION AND PROTEST 125 Using both traditional and contemporary songs from the world church this weekend explores the prayer of passion and protest - a vital part of the Judaeo- Christian heritage. Reflection upon the biblical narrative is underlined by both familiar and unfamiliar songs that stir the spirit and wrestle with God. Musical ability is not required but an enthusiasm for singing is a must. Dilly Baker is a parish priest in North Yorkshire. She is author of A Place at the Table: liturgies & resources for Christ centred hospitality. Geoff Weaver is a professional musician and was Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral and Director of Music for the 2008 Lambeth Conference. His recently published book In every corner sing reflects his passion for music from the world church. TUES 23rd FEBRUARY The Revd Audrey McCartan WED 3rd MARCH The Revd Pamela Ingham THURS 11th MARCH The Revd Gill Henwood WED 17th MARCH The Revd Canon Colin Gough QUIET DAYS IN LENT 15 Days of quiet and reflection with introduction and guidance from the conductor. Participants may attend a single day or the complete series.
MAUNDY THURS 1st - EASTER DAY 4th APRIL The Revd Dr Stephen Barton ENTERING INTO THE PASSION 195 Enter into the events of the Passion from Maundy Thursday to Easter Day through Bible study, worship and times of quiet. The focus of study will be the gospel passion narratives beginning with Gethsemane and ending with the resurrection. This will be woven around meal times and gatherings for worship drawing on the resources of the Holy Week liturgy. Stephen Barton is Reader in New Testament in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University and a non-stipendiary minister in the Diocese of Newcastle. He has written a book on The Spirituality of the Gospels (SPCK, 1992) and is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels (CUP, 2006). MON 24th - TUES 25th MAY The Revd Canon Graham Usher and The Revd Joanna Anderson WILFRID: MISSIONARY MONK AND CONTROVERSIAL BISHOP 75 Make a pilgrimage to meet the dynamic, flawed yet inspiring Anglo-Saxon saint Wilfrid, with the second day as pilgrim guests of Hexham Abbey. Find out about Wilfrid s legacy to the church and his continuing relevance to contemporary issues of faith and life. Graham Usher is the Rector and Lecturer of Hexham and is daily inspired by the legacy of Wilfrid. Joanna Anderson is Associate Priest at Hexham Abbey and former Warden of Iona Abbey.
TUES 1st - FRI 4th JUNE Prof John Batchelor Reading Week: THE QUEST FOR MEANING IN POST WAR BRITAIN 225 Some of the major writers who emerged after the Second World War are clearly engaged in the task of recovering meaning for a spiritually bankrupt nation. This four day course studies work by three poets, Thom Gunn, Ted Hughes and Philip Larkin, and three novelists, Evelyn Waugh, Muriel Spark and William Golding. John Batchelor talks about the significance of these works and considers the question where was meaning in post-war Britain? The pace is relaxed with plenty of time to read and visit places of interest. John Batchelor is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Newcastle University. His recent publications include biographies of Joseph Conrad, John Ruskin and Lady Trevelyan (of Wallington, Northumberland). He is currently working on a new biography of Alfred Tennyson. MON 21st - THURS 24th JUNE The Revd Canon Christopher Lewis MEDITATIONS WITH WOODCARVINGS AND MUSIC 195 An opportunity to reflect on some of life s big questions, with woodcarvings and music providing the stimulus. There will be periods of silence to aid the reflection, and those who wish to do so will be able to work creatively with clay. Christopher Lewis, who made the carvings, is a former Chaplain of Shepherds Dene. His book Cleave the Wood and There I Am - Meditations with Carvings and Music was published in 2009. TUES 29th JUNE The Revd Canon Dr Robin Greenwood and The Revd Canon Cathy Rowling CELEBRATING PRIESTHOOD 22.50 An invitation to mark the anniversary of Priesthood with renewal of vows. Robin Greenwood is Vicar of Monkseaton St Mary and Cathy Rowling is Principal of Lindisfarne. SUN 4th JULY AND SUN 11th JULY FAMILY PICNICS Child centred picnics with activities and games in the grounds. The 4th July is primarily for pre school children, who are invited to bring teddy bears, and 11th July for school age children but all are welcome with an accompanying adult. Bring your own picnic and drinks will be provided. Please pre book for tickets for which a donation of 5 is suggested.
MON 19th - FRI 23rd JULY The Revd Paul Judson ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY WEEK Being creative with painting or photography is a wonderful way to express so much. This short holiday is an opportunity to capture what you have seen on paper, board or canvas. It doesn t matter how good or bad you think you are, the only requirement is that you want to have a go. MON 26th JULY - SUN 1st AUGUST MON 2nd - FRI 6th AUGUST MON 9th - FRI 13th AUGUST St Antony s Priory, Durham INDIVIDUALLY GUIDED RETREATS An opportunity to engage deeply with God in an atmosphere of silence and prayer. Participants are offered a retreat director to accompany them through the retreat. You will meet each day for a session of around half an hour when help with prayer will be offered for the coming day. All meals are conducted in silence and there is a daily Eucharist and shared silent prayer each evening. Art materials are available and other forms of creativity are encouraged as well. Coordinated by St Antony s Priory, Durham, using Retreat Teams comprising of Ecumenical Guides. MON 16th - SAT 21st AUGUST The Revd John McManners NORTHERN SAINTS PILGRIMAGE 225 450 including luxury coach travel Visit www.shepherdsdene.co.uk for more details and news of other events 4 days 220/6 days 320 Five full days of pilgrimage to sites of beauty and spiritual significance including Vindolanda, Lindisfarne, Bamburgh, and Rothbury backed up with talks linking the coming of Christianity to the North East and the rise of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. The pilgrimage runs to a regular rhythm of prayer and worship and there will be plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of your fellow guests. John McManners is priest in charge of St. Gabriel Bishopwearmouth in the City of Sunderland and has recently published St Cuthbert and the Animals ; an illustrated book which recounts tales and legends linked with the North s most greatly loved saint. He is now working on a biography of Benedict Biscop.
SUN TEATIME 19th - FRI 24th SEPTEMBER Roy Deane, Peter Ryder and The Revd Gill Henwood Walking Week: INSPIRED NORTHUMBERLAND 325 including travel by minibus Guided walks in the outstanding and varied landscape of the Tyne Valley and Allendale with churches, chapels and castles; wild World-heritage Hadrian s Wall country and the open moorland around Blanchland with pauses for spiritual refreshment and renewed inspiration. The daily walks average 15km and are graded moderate. Roy Deane works in countryside access management and devised a series of Tyne Valley trails linking rail stations. Peter Ryder is Historic Buildings Consultant and author of several books on medieval buildings. Reflections led by Gill Henwood, Diocesan Spirituality Adviser. WED 29th SEPTEMBER The Revd Richard Collins and The Revd Canon Peter Kenney CELEBRATING PRIESTHOOD 22.50 An invitation to mark the anniversary of Priesthood with renewal of vows. Richard Collins is Director of Ordinands, Diocese of Durham and Peter Kenney is Pastoral Care and Counselling Adviser, Diocese of Newcastle. MON 4th - FRI 9th OCTOBER CLERGY SPOUSES RETREAT by negotiation An annual silent retreat for spouses, traditionally wives, of clergy in the Durham and Newcastle Dioceses. Spouses of either gender from other Dioceses and denominations are welcome as well.
MON 18th - THURS 21st OCTOBER The Revd Paul Judson AND THEIR EYES WERE OPENED 195 A retreat with art and photography, to spend time in reflection and prayer together with something a bit more practical, using drawing, painting and photography to respond to the wonders of the God s creation in the visual world around us. This retreat will combine opportunities for personal meditation and prayer with shared experiences of the things we create during our time together. Paul Judson is Director of Communications for the Durham Diocese. He trained as a graphic artist and taught art in Leicestershire schools before ordination. His work has been quite widely exhibited and he has pictures in a number of private collections. MON 15th - FRI 19th NOVEMBER The Revd Canon Rosalind Brown COMPANIONS ON THE WAY 225 This silent retreat takes stories of people in the Bible - both familiar friends and littleknown strangers - who faced situations that transcend the centuries, challenging them and us to live faithfully in times of God s silence and God s surprise. Rosalind Brown is a Residentiary Canon at Durham Cathedral. She has written many hymns as well as books on ministry. TUES 23rd NOVEMBER The Revd David Hewlett ADVENT STUDY DAY 15 A quiet day with talks and time for meditation to prepare for Christmas. David Hewlett is Vicar of Corbridge and has long experience in adult education and ministerial training in various dioceses. MON 6th - WED 8th DECEMBER The Revd Helen Gill, Gill Henwood and Mrs Christian Smith SPIRITUALITY AND MATURITY: ADVENT REFLECTION 125 Preparing for Christmas: reflect, explore and deepen our Christian faith in the light of the coming of the Messiah, through people of experience and wisdom. A short retreat with reflection and limited times of silence, for beginners as well as for those with more experience. Christian Smith is an experienced Spiritual Director and Tutor from St Antony s Priory, Durham. Helen Gill is Priest in Charge of St John s Church, Percy Main and has been involved with Simeon & Anna, an ecumenical organisation working with aspects of spirituality for mature people. Gill Henwood is Adviser for Spirituality & Spiritual Direction in Newcastle Diocese.
About Shepherds Dene Shepherds Dene is a fine example of an Edwardian country house and grounds tucked away in a valley just outside Riding Mill. It has comfortable rooms for meetings and relaxation, a peaceful chapel and 19 single and twin bedrooms including 6 ensuite bedrooms refurbished last year. We have created a labyrinth in the grounds and are slowly restoring our walled garden. We are a couple of miles from the junction of A69 and A68 trunk roads and there is good public transport by rail and bus to Riding Mill, from where we can pick you up. There are good country walks around Shepherds Dene and local places to visit include the historic village of Corbridge, the bustling market town of Hexham and the former monastic village of Blanchland. The Tyne Valley is full of sites of early Christianity and Roman civilisation. Shepherds Dene is the retreat house for the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle and welcomes people of all denominations and faiths. It is an independent charity and has to charge an economic rate to guests but can occasionally offer a bursary for guests who genuinely cannot afford to stay with us. Any of the staff would be pleased to talk to you about your visit though the best person to speak to is Kathryn Hope who is normally available on weekday mornings on 01434 682 212 or by email on kathryn@shepherdsdene.co.uk
Shepherds Dene, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6AF Tel: 01434 682212 Email: kathryn@shepherdsdene.co.uk Registered charity no: 700258 Photography by The Revd Gill Henwood, Chaplain