St Benedict’s Centre 2020 New Year Newsletter
We’ve been a little quiet of late and now is a good time to write a new newsletter for a new year.
To update you with our staffing news, currently Rev Jane Winter is covering at the Centre and a group of volunteers are sharing the roles of hosting groups. We are very grateful to them. We continue to have a steady number of day guests, and we are about to start our 2020 programme. This newsletter introduces the programme to you. It covers some of the events we have planned, more will follow.
January:
Difference
We are running the ‘difference’ course which has been written by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reconciliation ministry. Archbishop Justin has a vision for the church to be a place of reconciliation and to have a presence of reconciliation in our conflicted world. That conflict doesn’t have to be global. It can be very local, in our communities, churches, families, even within ourselves. The course runs for five sessions looking at five themes that help us to develop skills of reconciliation. The sessions are interactive. They include bible study, video clips, discussion, activities and prayer.
The course will run at the Centre from 7pm – 9pm on Mondays: January 20th, 27th, February 3rd, 10th and 24th. The cost is £10 which includes a participants’ notebook.
To find out more about the course click https://difference.rln.global/
To book please contact: bookings@stbenedictscentre.org
February:
Orisons
We are excited to offer a day course called ‘Orisons’. ‘What is Orisons?’ we hear you say.
Orisons is the old English medieval word for prayer, from ‘orare’ to speak and ‘oracle’, the means by which God speaks.
Orisons presents 104 picture cards and commentaries, and prompts people to make connections with what is happening in their lives and how the Holy Spirit may be guiding them.
It uses the various characters, events and values of the bible and Christian faith to develop wisdom and discipleship in participants.
The simple act of drawing a card, reading its commentary and pausing to reflect can stimulate and inspire fresh thinking on all the thorny issues confronting us in our daily lives.
What might be said about the course…..
- A valuable time away listening to how God is working in our life.
- Learning a method of meaning-making that is both fun and serious.
- Working with lived experiences as they are encountered and exploring how the Holy Spirit is at work.
- A Sharing of the Christian Wisdom Tradition amongst Christians.
The day will be led by the resource author Martin Henwood, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Dartford. It will include explanation about using the resource with others and time to explore the cards for yourself in a prayerful manner.
The day runs from 9.30am – 3pm. The cost of the day is £20. Please bring your own lunch.
To book please contact: bookings@stbenedictscentre.org
March:
Saying Yes to Life
During Lent we shall be running a course using Ruth Valerio’s new book ‘Saying Yes to Life.’ We will be focusing on a chapter a week looking at the creation story and considering how we respond in meaningful and practical ways to the life that is all around us. Archbishop Justin has chosen it as his Lent book for 2020. Ruth Valerio is the new canon theologian in Rochester Cathedral so it is very appropriate to be offering this course during Lent. The grounds of the St Benedict Centre at St Mary’s Abbey are a fabulous living example of life tended and flourishing.
The course will run on Mondays: March 2nd, 9th 16th, 23rd, 30th April 6th
The afternoon session runs from 3.15pm ending with the opportunity to join the Sisters for Vespers at 4.45.
The evening session runs from 7pm -9pm and includes joining the Sisters for Compline.
The cost is £10. Participants will need to have their own copy of the book.
To book a place please contact bookings@stbenedictscentre.org
Looking ahead….
June:
Angles and Angels: Icon Retreat
We are delighted to be offering an Icon writing week in June. The week will be led by Amanda de Pulford an experienced Icon writer and teacher. You can see her work at: https://amandadepulford.tumblr.com/about
The course will focus on the saints that are named at St Benedict Centre: St Gundulf, St Anselm, St Eanswythe and St Hilda. Amanda is based in Kent and is excited to be offering the course at St Benedict’s. We will learn in the context of the rhythm of prayer joining the Sisters for the daily offices.
The dates for the course are 14th – 20th June 2020.
The cost is £350 which includes the teaching, all the course materials and a light vegetarian lunch.
Spaces are limited for this course so if you are in interested please register: bookings@stbenedictscentre.org
Day Guests
Day Guests are always welcome at St Benedict’s Centre. You can book an individual study/retreat room for £12. This includes hot drinks, the use of the beautiful grounds, the opportunity for private prayer in the pilgrim chapel and to join the Sisters in their daily offices.
To book your day of rest and retreat contact: bookings@stbenedictscentre.org.
We look forward to welcoming you to St Benedict’s.
This is just a taste of things to come. We hope to have another newsletter out soon offering more events that enable us to come apart awhile and encounter God.
ST BENEDICT'S CENTRE...A PLACE APART 