National Retreat Week – renew:all (23-30 Sept 2023) is a new initiative for individuals, churches and groups to promote contemplation, prayer and retreat – rooted in various ancient and contemporary Christian traditions and supported by well-known Christian retreat leaders and authors.
We are all busy juggling everyday life and it can be difficult to make space to reflect, contemplate or pray. The benefits of taking time out to pause, breathe and reset the rhythm of our lives is invaluable – time to trust in God more, nourish our souls, check in with our life’s direction, look afresh and renew:all.
Renew:all is an invitation to take time out to retreat at home, at church, or at one of over 200 Christian retreat centres across the UK. There are lots of ways to get involved, whether you are experienced or new to Christian retreats. Visit the website for inspiration and free resources to join in – during the week or indeed at any time of year.
A set of specially curated reflections and retreat activities from well-known retreat leaders and authors will be shared during National Retreat Week in late September. Contributors this year include Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, Christopher Jamison, Brian Draper, Paula Gooder, Adjoa Andoh and more. You can sign up online to receive them direct to your inbox.
Time for contemplation, reflection, prayer and retreat is of course valuable all-year round, not just for a week! National Retreat Week – renew:all is an introduction, reminder and source of practical support to people’s ongoing spiritual practice throughout the year.
Here are some of the local options available.
Framilode Riverside Retreats
St Peter’s Church, Framilode GL2 7LH
First Wednesday of the month, 10am to 3pm
Monthly Quiet Days provide an opportunity to give space for God in our lives: to still ourselves, listen for God, and share in quiet fellowship with others. Each day is shaped around a passage of scripture appropriate to the season which is offered as our starting point for reflection and prayer.
Cost: £15 to include lunch and refreshments
Contact: 01452 741410
More info and booking: Framilode Riverside Retreats – St Peter’s, Framilode
Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing
Harnhill, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5PX
Rest and Refreshment Breaks
Harnhill offers a range of retreats, including resting breaks, guided retreats, bereavement retreats and healing retreats.
Cost: £325pp for three nights.
Contact: 01285 850283
More info and booking: Healing Weeks & Retreats | Harnhill Christian Centre
House of Bread
Burmington, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5AF
Just a 45-minute drive from Gloucestershire is the House of Bread, a Christian community, retreat and conference centre situated in beautiful Cotswold countryside. Choose from a range of guided retreats bookable by the day to suit your schedule and budget.
Cost: From around £45pp per night
Contact: 01608 663952
More info and booking: Our events | The House of Bread
Rudford Retreats
Church Lane, Gloucester GL2 8DT
Offer a monthly programme of retreats in 2023, from February through until November, on the third Thursday of the month. Each retreat day will be shaped around a passage of scripture appropriate to the season, which is offered as our starting point for reflection and prayer. The days are suitable for all: for those familiar with retreats, as well as those exploring such days for the first time.
Cost: £15pp to include drinks and a light lunch
Contact: moc.liamg@staerterdrofdur
More info and booking: Rudford Retreats | The Highnam Benefice
Holland House
Main Street, Cropthorne, Pershore WR10 3NB
Just across the border in Worcestershire lies Holland House, a Christian retreat house and conference centre providing quiet spaces to reflect, to wonder, and be still. Every month from April to September, the centre offers a Quiet Garden Day. Organised by the Friends of Holland House, the day includes a short reflection at the start of the day, optional Communion before lunch and a shared group reflection to close before tea and cake.
Cost: £20pp to include lunch and refreshments
Contact: 01386 860330
More info and booking: Programme – Holland House
House of the Open Door
Childswickham House, Childswickham WR12 7HH
Tuesday 9 May, Seasons Creative Retreat Day (Spring)
Situated on the edge of the quiet village of Childswickham, two miles from Broadway in the Vale of Evesham, this retreat centre offers self-catering accommodation for individual and small group retreats as well as guided Creative Retreat Days.
Cost: £20pp for the Creative Retreat Days
Contact: 01386 852084
More info and booking: Seasons Creative Retreat Days 2023
Lenchwood Christian Centre
Spitten Farm, Ab Lench, Evesham, WR11 4UP
Also in Worcestershire is Lenchwood, a Christian charity providing rest and recuperation in the countryside and luxury accommodation to complement individual and group retreats.
Cost: variable
Contact: 07835 818 018
More info and booking: Retreats – Lenchwood Trust
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