A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Retreat Association Summer Event
Monday 22 June 2026
Our Summer Event was a wonderful day blessed by the gifts and generosity of our patron Dr Mark Oakley – our main speaker.
Introducing the theme of Going Upstream: integrity and hope in dark days, Mark explored what it means to swim against the tide and offer hope to a broken world, referring to a painting by Jacopo Bassano based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
This was followed by an opportunity to discuss Mark’s talk with the help of two questions including the significance of retreats and what part they can play in offering hope.
In the afternoon our patron Revd Graham Sparkes facilitated a lively Q&A session with questions posed to Mark from those gathered and opportunities for everyone to join in the discussions that followed.
Our Executive Director Alison MacTier gave opening reflections and a talk on the work of the Retreat Association and Graham Sparkes closed the event with prayers.
The day was held at the Garry Weston Library at Southwark Cathedral, generously offered by Mark Oakley and participants enjoyed refreshments, opportunities to browse resources and the chance to meet and chat with others during the day.
Our grateful thanks to Mark, Graham, the planning team and all who attended and made this such a memorable day!
