From the stories of people in the Church of England Living Ministry research there were six key things that made a difference to wellbeing.
- Tune Your Life to Healthy Rhythms.
- Handle expectations.
- Recognise times of Vulnerability.
- Identify Safe Spaces.
- Value and Affirm.
- Establish Healthy Boundaries.
Healthy rhythms include work, rest, prayer, exercise and nutrition, and for many ‘time-out’ from the goldfish bowl of the vicarage and the parish.
Below are new events for 2023 that link with wellbeing, or refreshment. Retreats at Pleshey and time at Sheldon can be supported using CMD personal grant. Contact your Area CMD Adviser. Other events on this page may be eligible too – again your CMD Adviser can discuss.
The House of Retreat
Pleshey, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1HA
www.retreathousepleshey.com
Moving into 2023, the House of Retreat has a range of led retreats in mind, themed around areas such as wellbeing, photography, contemplative prayer, the Christian seasons, wilderness, the garden, and of course Evelyn Underhill. For led retreats click here.
The garden is a beautiful place of sanctuary and stillness, and the House has a team of chaplains who come in daily and a General Manager, Revd Graham Dowling. It is a place steeped in prayer. Contact the House directly if wanting to have time away alone on private retreat, time for a small group together, or to join in an organised event on the programme.
The Society of Martha & Mary at Sheldon
Sheldon Lane, Doddiscombsleigh, Exeter EX6 7YT
www.sheldonretreat.com
01647 252752.
Sheldon events have a 20% discount for those in ministry.
13th – 17th March 2023, Hiding in plain sight, A silent retreat led by Martyn Percy
We are living through tough times when both church and society often give us language that is alienating and demoralizing. A retreat that goes in search of lost words and language rarely encountered in the church today. How have the terms that used to describe ministry and vocation been driven away into the wilderness? Together we will seek to rediscover and return to some of the ‘core-heart-soul’ language, values and ideas threaded through the gospels that describe authentic ministry, and can still nourish us. This will be a silent retreat with a daily address in the morning and bible study in the afternoon. There will also be daily offices, one Eucharist and some slots available for 1:1 pastoral conversation with the leader.
Cost £530 (20% ministry discount)
The Royal Foundation of St Katharine
2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS
0300 111 114 • info@rfsk.org.uk
10th – 12th May 2023, Creation and Creating a retreat led by Sophie Hacker. A chance to take some time out, and let creation lift our spirits. This gentle retreat includes times of reflection, creativity (no previous experience required) and space for peace. Sophie will be guiding us through a range of meditations and artistic responses, all inspired by ‘looking closely’ at nature.
Cost: £289
Launde Abbey
East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB
01572 717254 • Email: info@launde.org.uk