A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Our Summer 2021 Event
Pilgrimage - the inner and outer journey
We were delighted to welcome over 50 participants to our Summer Event this July.
Having postponed the event from last year due to the pandemic, we decided to offer a mixed format and were joined by 20 people at the venue and over 30 people online.
Our venue for the day was the Royal Foundation of St Katharine and with the generosity and technical skill of their team we gathered together and enjoyed an inspirational day of talks, discussions and prayers in St Katharine’s beautiful surroundings.
Our guest speakers Rev Dr Sally Welch and patron Sara Maitland helped us to explore our theme of Pilgrimage - the inner and outer journey. This was followed by a Q&A session chaired by patron Rev Graham Sparkes. The day was framed by prayers from our Chair Rev Barry Preece and trustee Rev Martin Davies, while Executive Director Alison MacTier was MC and gave an update on the work of the Retreat Association.
It was a memorable day made possible by all who contributed and attended and our thanks go to all who helped to make this possible in these challenging times!
Summer Event in 2019
Our Summer Event was a wonderful celebration of talks, discussions, good company and fine weather as friends from the Orthodox tradition shared their wisdom on the history and meaning of icons.
Guest speaker Fr Anastasios Salapatas gave a fascinating history of the icon particularly from the Greek Orthodox tradition.
Fr Stephen Platt from the Russian Orthodox tradition spoke in depth about the significance of the Samaritan Woman at the Well - the story depicted in the Retreat Association icon.
Patron Rev Graham Sparkes facilitated a Q & A session with both speakers giving their insights on the general theme of icons.
There was also time for conversation, sharing wisdom and enjoying the wonderful grounds of the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for guests and contributors alike.
The day concluded with Orthodox worship in the beautiful chapel of the Royal Foundation.
Our grateful thanks go to our speakers, patrons, trustees, members, our hosts and all those who attended and made this such a special day!
"Thank you for an excellent day… very enriching."
"Really good, refreshing and enriching day. Lifted my soul and energised me for God’s calling."
"An excellent, well-organised day with interesting input and discussion."
"Thank you for a valuable day – learned a great deal."