HOUSE OF PRAYER CHRISTIAN RETREAT - PROGRAMME 2021 - Christian-retreat.org
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HOUSE
OF
PRAYER
CHRISTIAN
RETREAT
PROGRAMME 2021
SISTERS OF THE CHRISTIAN RETREAT The Christian Retreat (a Roman Catholic Congregation) was founded in 1789 by Father Anthony Receveur. In an age when faith and moral values were in decline, he offered to ordinary people a means of drawing closer to God. Through practising meditation and making a spiritual retreat, lives were transformed. Today the Sisters, the House of Prayer community and their friends, carry out his vision by their work and mission in the House of Prayer. The House of Prayer is ecumenical and welcomes Christians of all denominations and people of good will. “The aim of the Congregation is to lead people back to thoughts of faith and meditation on the Word of God and the Great Truths about humanity; to spread the Gospel by all the means in its power, especially by Spiritual Retreats and Christian Education”. Father Anthony Receveur HOW TO BOOK Please e-mail or telephone us to make a booking. All events must be booked in advance and a 25% non-refundable deposit is required for all residential retreats, with the balance paid on arrival. For those who cannot afford the full rate, a small bursary may be available. Please contact us for further details. Please let us know of any special requirements you may have. As we are a small retreat house we can only cater for medically-diagnosed dietary requirements. The office hours are 9.30am – 1.00pm, Monday – Friday. House of Prayer, Telephone 0 20 8941 2313 35 Seymour Road, E-mail admin@christian-retreat.org East Molesey, Website www.christian-retreat.org Surrey KT8 0PB
HOUSE OF PRAYER
A breathing space
A prayerful space
In the House of Prayer we hold a space of silence
and solitude to support and deepen a developing
life of prayer and relationship with God.
We hope you will find here:
A deepening sense of God
An opportunity to renew yourself
Some time away from the noise and urgency of your
daily life
ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES 2
BREATHING SPACE 3
PROGRAMME EVENTS 6
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS 17
ONGOING GROUPS 19
1
ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES
The House of Prayer is set in its own peaceful garden
and offers a spacious and prayerful atmosphere for
retreatants. It is a mile from Hampton Court Palace with its
magnificent gardens and river walks.It is easily accessible by
public transport. It takes 35 minutes by rail from London
Waterloo to Hampton Court station.There is also parking
in the grounds.
There are nine bedrooms (five en-suite), two conference
rooms, a prayer room and a lounge.
A self-contained unit of accommodation comprising
bed-sitting room, kitchen and bathroom is available for
self-catering private retreats. Please contact us for further
information.
We can accommodate day groups up to a maximum of
35 people. You can organise your own event or we can
provide a facilitator, if required, for which a fee can be
negotiated when you book.
STAYING SAFE
Your safety is important to us. We have risk-assessed the
House of Prayer and enhanced our practices to ensure
we meet the Health and Safety Executive’s Five Steps
to Working Safely during Coronavirus and Government
guidelines concerning the hospitality sector.
We will offer you a full refund if your booking is
cancelled by us. However, in these uncertain times, we
are committed to adapting and modifying our retreats
so that they can continue in some form. your booking is
cancelled by us. However, in these uncertain times, we are
committed to adapting and modifying our retreats so that
they can continue in some form. .
For more information on what you can expect when you
arrive at the House of Prayer, please visit our website:
www.christian-retreat.org
2
BREATHING SPACE
Draw aside from the noise and busyness of your daily life and
experience some peace and quiet to listen to God. We can
accommodate individual residential retreats, Quiet Days and
Spiritual Direction.
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL RETREAT QUIET DAY SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
We welcome bookings for individual Retreat to the House of Prayer for a A spiritual director or soul friend is
residential retreats. Subject to availability, day. Quiet Days begin at 10am and someone who will listen, encourage
retreats can be of any length. Spiritual finish at 4pm. You will be allocated and challenge us to an authentic
direction may be available upon request. a private room and are welcome relationship with God. If you would
to enjoy the peace and quiet of the like to talk to someone about your
Cost: prayer room and other spaces in the faith story, please contact us.
24 hours – Catered: £70 House. Spiritual direction may be
24 hours – Self-catered: £45 available upon request. Please bring a Suggested donation:
packed lunch. Ongoing spiritual direction:
£30 per session
Suggested donation: £20
Spiritual direction as part of a retreat:
£20 per session
3
JANUARY 8-10 JANUARY 15-17 JANUARY 22-24
Led by: S ister Anne Dunne Led by: The House of Prayer Team Led by: Jill Benet
and Sister Melanie Kingston
Time Aside: Weekend A Time for Renewal
Epiphany Retreat: Out of Darkness Individually Guided Retreat
A weekend to refresh and renew our
For many of us 2020 has been a dark This retreat provides an opportunity to commitment to practise Centering Prayer.
time. Over this weekend we will explore step aside from the busyness of everyday We shall revisit the inner working and
how we might emerge from the darkness life and spend time in quiet prayer and nuances of the practice.
into God’s marvellous light. Have the reflection. A retreat guide will be available
Magi anything to say to us about our own for daily individual meetings to accompany This weekend is suitable for those
journey? Using the Magi as our inspiration, you through the retreat. Above all, this establishing a practice of Centering Prayer
we will explore our experiences through retreat is a time of listening to God who is and those who wish to refresh or renew
prayer, creativity, and sharing. All prayer present in the experiences of prayer and their practice. There will be extended
meetings and sharing will be online using daily living. periods of prayer and silence.
the Zoom platform.
There are two ways of participating in Starts at 7pm with supper on Friday and
Arrive on Friday in time for supper at 7pm ends at 4 pm on Sunday.
and leave at 4pm on Sunday. this retreat, from your own home or
residentially at the House of Prayer. In
Retreat from home cost: £60 both cases, all communal prayer meetings Cost: £180
and spiritual direction will be online using Please note that this retreat may be offered
the Zoom platform. If you wish to attend online via Zoom if conditions do not allow
this retreat from the House of Prayer you for a residential retreat to take place. Please
will need to bring a laptop or device with contact us for further information.
you.
Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday
and leave at 4pm on Sunday.
Retreat from home cost: £60
Residential retreat cost: £180
4
FEBRUARY 2-4 FEBRUARY 14-21 FEBRUARY 27
Led by: The House of Prayer Team Led by: Jill Benet Led by: Antonia Lynn
Time Aside: Midweek That We May Be One: 8-day Wondrous Doings:
Individually Guided Retreat Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat Praying the Psalms
This retreat provides an opportunity to Intensive Retreats provide an opportunity “Hour by hour fresh lips are making
step aside from the busyness of everyday for participants to immerse themselves Thy wondrous doings heard on high”
life and spend time in quiet prayer and fully in the practice of Centering Prayer
reflection. A retreat guide will be available as taught by Contemplative Outreach, At any moment, somewhere in the world,
for daily individual meetings to accompany often proving to be a watershed in their the Psalms are being recited or sung as
you through the retreat. Above all, this practice. There will be up to three hours the Church follows St Paul’s instruction
retreat is a time of listening to God who is of Centering Prayer each day and time to ‘pray without ceasing’. Compiled over
present in the experiences of prayer and outside meetings is held in silence, with many centuries, the Book of Psalms would
daily living. time for personal reflection, contemplative have given expression to Jesus’ prayer to
liturgy and Lectio Divina. We will draw his Father. How can we join in and make
There are two ways of participating in on material from Thomas Keating’s last these very human songs to the Divine our
this retreat, from your own home or teaching video series, ‘That We May Be own, singing them with ‘fresh lips’? Come
residentially at the House of Prayer. In One’. The retreat is recommended for and explore! It will be helpful to bring a
both cases, all communal prayer meetings those who have practised Centering Bible, psalter or prayer book/breviary with
and spiritual direction will be online using Prayer for at least six months. you.
the Zoom platform. If you wish to attend
this retreat from the House of Prayer you Arrive in time for supper at 6 pm on Sunday Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please
will need to bring a laptop or device with 14 February and leave after breakfast on bring a packed lunch.
you. Sunday 21 February.
Arrive on Tuesday in time for supper at 6pm Cost: £30
and leave by 3pm on Thursday Cost: £630
Please note that this retreat may be offered
Retreat from home cost: £60 online via Zoom if conditions do not allow
Residential retreat cost: £180 for a residential retreat to take place. Please
contact us for further information.
5
MARCH 6 MARCH 7-13 MARCH 19-21
Led by: H
ouse of Prayer Team Led by: The House of Prayer Team Led by: House of Prayer Team
and friends
Lent: Week of Accompanied Prayer Lent Retreat: Behold, I stand at the
Lent Quiet Morning: door and knock
Turn aside for a while A Week of Accompanied Prayer is an
opportunity to reflect upon ‘how things A weekend silent residential retreat with
A time of prayer, input and reflection as, are going with you and how things are an individual guide for each retreatant.
journeying through Lent, we experience going with God’ (Thomas Merton). This retreat provides an opportunity to
the height and depth of God’s personal Following an introductory meeting on step aside from the busyness of everyday
love for us. Sunday 7 March, you will meet with a life and spend time in quiet prayer and
prayer guide for 15 to 30 minutes each reflection. A retreat guide will be available
Starts at 10am and ends at 12.30pm. day of the week to explore and seek for daily individual meetings to accompany
opportunities to deepen your prayer life. you through the retreat. Above all, this
Cost: £10 Meetings can be arranged around your retreat is a time of listening to God who is
daily commitments and can be in person present in the experiences of prayer and
Please note that this retreat morning may or another platform, including Zoom, daily living.
be offered on Zoom if conditions do not WhatsApp, or FaceTime. The week will
allow us to meet in person. Please contact end with a closing prayer meeting on There are two ways of participating in
us for further information Saturday 13 March. this retreat, from your own home or
residentially at the House of Prayer. In
Donations welcome both cases, all communal prayer meetings
and spiritual direction will be online using
the Zoom platform. If you wish to attend
this retreat from the House of Prayer you
will need to bring a laptop or device.
Arrive on Friday in time for supper at 7pm
and leave on Sunday at 4pm.
Cost: £180. Retreat from home cost: £60
6
MARCH 27 APRIL 11-17 APRIL 20-22
Led by: Andrew Walker Led by: Jill Benet Led by: House of Prayer Team
Beginning the Song exactly Embodying Centering Prayer Time Aside: Midweek
where we are Individually Guided Retreat
The Christian experience of awakening
This line, based on a Malcolm Guite poem, and of unity consciousness is a This retreat provides an opportunity to
suggests in fast changing and difficult times true Oneness that involves the full step aside from the busyness of everyday
we still need to root ourselves and our participation of our humanity, body, soul life and spend time in quiet prayer and
experiences as part of God’s revelation and spirit. While Centering Prayer may reflection. A retreat guide will be available
and invitation. And this can take discipline be our core daily practice, when we bring for daily individual meetings to accompany
as well as skill. This morning with Andrew alongside the practice of Lectio Divina you through the retreat. Above all, this
Walker will explore something of the and the Welcome Prayer, we see that retreat is a time of listening to God who is
opportunities as well as difficulties of this it is a way of life that brings us fully into present in the experiences of prayer and
approach and help equip us all further in contact with ourselves, the world around daily living.
living out God’s call. us and the divine source that unites all.
Suitable for those who are familiar with Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Tuesday
Starts at 10am and ends at 1pm. Centering Prayer and wish to explore the and leave at 3pm on Thursday.
Welcome Practice and Lectio Divina.
Cost: £180
Cost: £15
Arrive on Sunday in time for supper at 6pm
and leave by 4pm on Saturday.
Cost: £540
7
APRIL 24 MAY 7-9 MAY 15
Led by: Sr. Gemma Simmonds, C.J. Led by: Jacqueline Evans Led by: Julie Leger Dunstan
Consolation and Desolation for Touching Silence in Body and Mind Embracing The Shadow:
Challenging Times A Journey to Love
Jacqueline Evans is an Alexander
Lockdown has stripped many of us of Technique teacher for whom Alexander Blending psychology, theology, poetry,
the identifying markers by which we principles profoundly deepen the reflection and prayer, this will be a day to
define our lives: normal patterns of experience of meditation. On this retreat explore the journey inwards to a greater
work and relationships, both private and she will be teaching techniques for experience of Love, via those things which
professional, patterns of interaction with rediscovering your inherent ease and we find most difficult to embrace.
wider society, patterns of travel for both freedom, which help to calm your breath
work and leisure. Many of us have had and quieten your body-mind, both on Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please
to re-negotiate our sense of meaning and off the meditation cushion or chair. bring a packed lunch.
and purpose and are searching for tools Using some of the principles of Alexander
to help us. The teaching of Ignatius of Technique you will discover ways of Cost: £30
Loyola on consolation and desolation touching into Silence as you go about
can be a useful means of navigating these your life.
new pathways and finding the hidden
opportunities within the pandemic crisis. Arrive in time for supper on Friday and leave
after lunch on Sunday.
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please
Cost: £180
bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £30
8MAY 17-21 JUNE 5 JUNE 11-13
Led by: House of Prayer Team Led by: Andrew and Kerryn Penson Led by: House of Prayer Team
Longing for God: Open Day Time Aside: Weekend Individually
Weekday Individually Guided Retreat
Guided Retreat This year we are opening our doors and
garden to anyone who would like to call This retreat provides an opportunity to
in and find out what we do and what we step aside from the busyness of everyday
This retreat provides an opportunity to offer at the House of Prayer. Tours will be
step aside from the busyness of everyday life and spend time in quiet prayer and
available. Come and learn more about the reflection. A retreat guide will be available
life and spend time in quiet prayer and Sisters of the Christian Retreat and their
reflection. A retreat guide will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany
founder, Father Anthony Receveur. Tea, you through the retreat. Above all, this
for daily individual meetings to accompany coffee, home-made savouries and cakes
you through the retreat. Above all, this retreat is a time of listening to God who is
will be provided. present in the experiences of prayer and
retreat is a time of listening to God who is
present in the experiences of prayer and daily living.
The House of Prayer will be open from
daily living. 12pm-4pm. Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday
Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Monday and leave at 4pm on Sunday..
Donations welcome
and leave at 3pm on Friday.
Cost: £180
Cost: £360
9JUNE 26 JULY 5-7 JULY 9-11
Led by: Christopher Chapman Led by: Jill Benet Led by: Jill Benet
Seeing in the Dark – The Experience of God Going Within:
Meeting God within struggle Centering Prayer
and uncertainty This retreat explores The Experience of Immersion Weekend
God by Raimon Panikkar and is under-
Life is joyful, beautiful and a rich blessing, pinned by extended periods of Centering This weekend offers the opportunity to
but also sometimes difficult, painful and Prayer and meditation. spend time in silence with a small group
mysterious. This day will draw on imagery and deepen the experience of Centering
from the Christian spiritual tradition to Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Monday Prayer. This retreat is suitable for those
explore the part struggle plays within our and leave by 4pm on Wednesday.. experienced in Centering Prayer as well
growth and our experience of God, with as those establishing their practice..
insights from the writings of John of the Cost: £180
Cross, Julian of Norwich, George Herbert Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday
and Gerard Manley Hopkins. With their and leave by 4pm on Sunday.
help we learn to travel by night deeper
into God. We discover how Christ will- Cost: £180
ingly falls into the depths of our difficulty.
We wrestle with God yet find ourselves
held by love. We learn to move in rhythm
with the changing seasons of our lives.
We travel the trackless wastes between
endings and beginnings and find hope
along the way.
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £30
1011
SEPTEMBER 6-10 SEPTEMBER 17-19 SEPTEMBER 21-23
Led by: House of Prayer Team Led by: David Cherry Led by: Led by: Jill Benet
Longing for God: What do you want? Living the Contemplative Life:
Weekday Individually (Re)discovering God’s call what gets in the way?
Guided Retreat
In a time of upheaval we can get Drawing on the work of Thomas Keating
This retreat provides an opportunity to disorientated. But God is present, his OCSO, Trappist monk and founder of
step aside from the busyness of everyday good spirit is ever creative. His call to the Centering Prayer movement, and
life and spend time in quiet prayer and you remains. This retreat will include the work of Rev Dr Cynthia Bourgeault,
reflection. A retreat guide will be available addresses, guided meditations and the wisdom teacher and hermit, we shall
for daily individual meetings to accompany option for one-to-one spiritual direction. consider whether there is more than
you through the retreat. Above all, this It is an opportunity to come with an open meets the eye in the obstacles we
retreat is a time of listening to God who is generous heart to God and discover encounter in our contemplative prayer
present in the experiences of prayer and anew how God’s good spirit is at work in practice.
daily living. your life calling you to service. How do
you want to respond? Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Tuesday
Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Monday and leave by 4pm on Thursday.
and leave at 3pm on Friday Arrive in time for supper on Friday at 7pm
and leave after lunch on Sunday. Cost: £180
Cost: £360
Cost: £180
12SEPTEMBER 25 OCTOBER 1-3 OCTOBER 9
Led by: Nicola Mason Led by: House of Prayer Team Led by: Helen Overell
With Empty Hands Time Aside: This held moment
Weekend Individually
‘In the evening of life I shall appear before Guided Retreat The theme ‘This held moment’ will be
you with empty hands...’ explored through considering times of
(St Thérèse of Lisieux) encounter where love embraces the all
This retreat provides an opportunity to of another, sees into the heart. We will
step aside from the busyness of everyday read contemplative writing from earlier
In the company of Thérèse and other life and spend time in quiet prayer and times to the present day. There will be
fellow travellers, we will explore the reflection. A retreat guide will be available writing exercises, both individual and
spirituality of ‘empty-handedness’ and see for daily individual meetings to accompany collaborative, providing an encouraging
how our very failures and the poverty of you through the retreat. Above all, this and supportive creative space in which
our offering can be our greatest treasure. retreat is a time of listening to God who is words can be set down on the page.
present in the experiences of prayer and There will be opportunities to share
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please daily living. what is written. The emphasis will be on
bring a packed lunch. constructive feedback so as to allow the
Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday beginnings of poems to emerge.
Cost: £30 and leave at 4pm on Sunday..
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please
Cost: £180 bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £30
13OCTOBER 16 OCTOBER 30 OCTOBER 31- NOVEMBER 7
Led by: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P Led by: Fi Ivin Led by: Jill Benet
Isn’t the Rosary Boring and Passé? What do we tell ourselves about That We May Be One: 8-day
God?: Who do you say I am? Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat
The Rosary is a devotion that comes
highly recommended by popes and saints The stories of our lives define the way Intensive Retreats provide an opportunity
and even by Our Lady herself. But what in which we live and think. They are for participants to immerse themselves
am I supposed to do? What if my mind is shaped by the culture around us, the fully in the practice of Centering Prayer
distracted? Isn’t it all very repetitive and country we grew up in and maybe even as taught by Contemplative Outreach,
boring? In this retreat, the Dominican the geography of our environment. often proving to be a watershed in
Father Lawrence Lew OP, who is the Consequently, our stories and the things their practice. There will be up to three
Dominican Order’s Promoter General for we hold to be true can be slightly or hours of Centering Prayer each day
the Holy Rosary, and Rector of the Rosary very different to those of other people. and time outside meetings is held in
Shrine in London, will speak on the Every now and again in the light of new silence, with time for personal reflection,
origins of the Rosary, its spiritual riches revelations (theories of evolution, relativity, contemplative liturgy and Lectio Divina.
and beauty, and he will suggest ways to for example), we tweak our stories. We We will draw on material for reflection
reinvigorate your praying of the Rosary. also have a story about God and what from Thomas Keating’s extensive body of
that word means to us. This day offers an work, including videos and writings. The
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please opportunity to explore our ideas about retreat is recommended for those who
bring a packed lunch. God through mandala making, pantoum have attended an Introductory Workshop
writing and other resources to think and who have been practising Centering
Cost: £30 about the relevance of our ideas in the Prayer for at least six months.
culture in which we live today. Is it time to
rethink our stories and reshape some of
our ideas? Arrive in time for supper at 6pm on Sunday
31 October and leave after breakfast on
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Please Sunday 7 November.
bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £630
Cost: £30
14NOVEMBER 19-21 NOVEMBER 23-25 NOVEMBER 27
Led by: Jill Benet Led by: House of Prayer Team Led by: Peter Tyler
Silence Time Aside: Edith Stein:
Midweek Individually A Dialogue of Mind and Spirit
Much has been written about “silence” Guided Retreat
and the how necessary it is for our Amongst recent saints Edith Stein (St
wellbeing and spiritual needs or progress. Teresia Benedicta a Cruce) remains one
Thomas Keating, quoting John of the This retreat provides an opportunity to
step aside from the busyness of everyday of the most elusive and difficult for the
Cross, describes Silence as God’s English speaking world. A feminist, Jew,
first language. On this weekend, as a life and spend time in quiet prayer and
reflection. A retreat guide will be available philosopher, psychologist, Carmelite nun
community, we shall explore “Silence”, its and martyr, it is difficult to put her into
practical nature and how it profoundly for daily individual meetings to accompany
you through the retreat. Above all, this one ‘box’. Yet, as we shall discover during
penetrates our lives. our day together, she has profound
retreat is a time of listening to God who is
present in the experiences of prayer and lessons for the present day dialogue
We shall draw from the work of between philosophy, psychology and
teachers such as Thomas Keating, Cynthia daily living.
spirituality. We shall be looking at her life
Bourgeault, Raimon Panikkar and Robert and works throughout the day through
Sardello. The weekend will have extended Arrive on Tuesday in time for supper at 6pm
and leave by 3pm on Thursday meditation, discussion and prayer. No
periods of Centering Prayer, silence and prior knowledge is required.
time for private reflection.
Cost: £180
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm.
Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday Please bring a packed lunch.
and leave by 4pm on Sunday.
Cost: £30
Cost: £180
15DECEMBER 4 DECEMBER 10-12 DECEMBER 18
Led by: Tina Beattie Led by: Alison MacTier Led by: H
ouse of Prayer Community
and friends
Landscapes of the Soul: Advent Retreat:
Reflections on Creation Coming into the Light Advent Quiet Morning:
as Sacrament Making space for God
A weekend silent retreat with the
Tina Beattie reflects on themes of possibility of spiritual direction. The This day is an invitation to step aside
creation, sacramentality and prayer weekend includes poetry, music and the from the pre-Christmas rush and spend
in dialogue with Pope Francis’s opportunity to share in community prayer. some time reflecting on the wonder and
encyclical, Laudato Si’. Drawing on a mystery of God’s coming amongst us.
wide range of sources including medieval Arrive in time for supper on Friday at 7pm
theology, ecofeminism, poetry, art and and leave after lunch on Sunday. Starts at 10am and ends at 12.30pm.
music, Tina asks how we might refocus
our sense of sacramentality through Cost: £180 Cost: £10
contemplation on nature, in order to heal
the broken bonds of communication and
care between ourselves and the natural
world.
Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £30
16ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
TINA BEATTIE founder, Father Thomas Keating, as well minister and Benedictine oblate. She is
as retreats led by Cynthia Bourgeault the Director of Encounter, The London
Tina is a theologian and writer who
and Richard Rohr, among others. She Course in Spiritual Direction.
was Professor of Catholic Studies at the
has trained in the US and UK and leads
University of Roehampton in London JACQUELINE EVANS
groups, Introductory Days, Quiet Days
until she left in July 2020 to work in
and retreats. Jill is a co-founder of the Jacqueline is a teacher of the Alexander
a freelance capacity. She continues in
Silence in the City series of talks on the Technique and a trainer of teachers of
her role as Director of Catherine of
contemplative life. the Technique at the Bristol Alexander
Siena College, an online college offering
School, alongside running her private
courses in theology, gender and social CHRISTOPHER CHAPMAN
practice in Bristol. She is a teacher of
justice based at Roehampton. Tina’s main
Christopher is an experienced spiritual Centering Prayer and a leader of retreats
academic interests are in the areas of
director and retreat leader. He is a combining the releasing principles of
sacramental theology, gender, and issues
guest director at St. Beuno’s Jesuit Alexander with Centering Prayer.
of sexual and reproductive dignity and
Spirituality Centre. He is the author
rights. She is currently writing a book ELLEN FARMER
of Seeing in the Dark and Earthed in
on Laudato Si’, gender and the dignity
God: Four movements of spiritual growth Ellen is a member of the community
of creation to be published by Oxford
(Canterbury Press). at the House of Prayer. She works as a
University Press.
spiritual director, supervisor, retreat guide
DAVID CHERRY
ANTONIO BENET and tutor.
David came to the UK from South Africa
Antonio is a writer and lay FI IVIN
in 1988. Ordained an Anglican priest he
contemplative. He leads study groups
ministered in parishes and universities. Fi has a background in education training
in the UK and Spain. His books
Since completing the course he has and personal development with people
include Que Es Dios?, Ques Es La Vida?,
enjoyed being a tutor on the Ignatian aged 11 -70. In 2013 following an
Quien Soy? He teaches the method of
Spirituality Course (artsd.org.uk) and is accident, Fi fell into a different phase of
Centering Prayer and has studied with
privileged to play a part in the formation life and faith and retrained as an Ignatian
Thomas Keating and Cynthia Bourgeault.
of spiritual directors. He was received Spiritual Director and completed post
You will find his blog on The Law of
into the Catholic Church in 2018. graduate studies in Christian Spirituality.
Three here: http://benetblogsuk.blogspot.
Increasingly Fi’s faith journey has taken
com/ SR ANNE DUNNE
her into the Wisdom of God, exploring
JILL BENET Sr Anne is a member of the Religious the mystical. Fi’s inclination is towards
Community who lives at the House the creative and of finding the means to
Jill is a teacher of Centering Prayer.
of Prayer. She is a spiritual director, follow Jesus in a contemporary context
She is the London Co-ordinator of
Psychosynthesis Counsellor and and a busy world. Fi values the wisdom
Contemplative Outreach, founded to
supervisor. of the quiet space.
teach the method of Centering Prayer
and to support Centering Prayer groups JULIE LEGER DUNSTAN SR MELANIE KINGSTON
and communities. She has studied in-
Julie is a psychotherapist, spiritual Sr Melanie is a member of the Religious
depth the conceptual background and
director, supervisor, licensed lay- Community who lives at the House
has attended several retreats led by its
17ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
of Prayer. She is a spiritual director, ALISON MACTIER (1585-1609). She is a senior lecturer
Psychosynthesis Counsellor and artist. in pastoral theology based at the
Alison is Director of the Retreat
Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology
FR LAWRENCE LEW, O.P. Association, a spiritual director and
in Cambridge where she is director of
leads regular quiet days. She has a long
Fr Lawrence is the Dominican Order’s the Religious Life Institute. She lectured
association with the House of Prayer on
Promoter General for the Holy Rosary, in Christian Spirituality at Heythrop
retreats and more recently as a guide.
and he is currently Prior of St Dominic’s College, University of London from
She is passionate about the value of
Priory, London, and also Rector of 2005 until its closure in 2018, specialising
retreats and spiritual direction. She also
the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of in Spiritual Direction in the Ignatian
enjoys walking and photography.
the Rosary in London. In addition, Fr tradition. An international speaker and
Lawrence is currently Chaplain to the NICOLA MASON lecturer working in the fields of Christian
Central London Curia of the Legion of spirituality and ecclesiology, she has been
Nicola is a spiritual director and
Mary, and he lectures in Apologetics, a missionary in Brazil and a chaplain
supervisor, and teaches on two spiritual
Digital Media, and Mariology at Blackfriars in the Universities of Cambridge and
direction and Christian spirituality
Hall, Oxford. Fr Lawrence enjoys London as well as a chaplaincy volunteer
courses. She is consecrated to the single
photographing churches and sacred art, in Holloway Prison for 26 years. She is a
life and lives in East London.
and his photos have been used online regular broadcaster on religious matters
by major Catholic sites. He is seen in HELEN OVERELL on the BBC. Her book, The Way of
print internationally in newspapers, Ignatius, was published by SPCK for Lent
Helen lives in the Mole Valley and
magazines, books, and CD covers. He has 2019 and was serialised as the Lenten
has published widely in magazines
been called a “media missionary”, and retreat on Pray As You Go https://pray-
and anthologies. Her first collection is
he has given workshops and retreats in as-you-go.org Her most recent book,
Inscapes & Horizons (St Albert’s Press,
photography, evangelisation and digital Treasuring God’s Word is published by
2008) and her second is Thumbprints
media, and the theology of beauty. Pauline Books and Media.
(Oversteps Books, 2015). Her website is:
ANTONIA LYNN www.overell.co.uk PETER TYLER
Antonia has a long experience of ANDREW PENSON Peter is Professor of Pastoral Theology
spiritual direction and giving retreats. and Spirituality at St Mary’s University,
Andrew is a member of the community
She is a tutor on the Ignatian Spirituality Twickenham. He writes and lectures
and Facilities Manager at the House of
Course based at the London Jesuit extensively on Christian spirituality. His
Prayer.
Centre. Antonia also works at the latest book is Christian Mindfulness:
London Centre for Spiritual Direction KERRYN PENSON Theology and Practice (SCM 2018).
where she is Warden and Referrals Co-
Kerryn is a member of the community
ordinator for the Community of Spiritual ANDREW WALKER
and Administrative Manager at the
Directors. She is interested in exploring
House of Prayer. Andrew is an Anglican parish priest in
spirituality as “lived theology” which
central London as well as an Ignatian
enables us to live out our deepest beliefs SR GEMMA SIMMONDS
trained spiritual director and supervisor.
and values.
Gemma is a sister of the Congregation His hobbies are gardening, the cinema
of Jesus, founded by Mary Ward and walking Sam, his dog.
18ONGOING GROUPS
Please contact the office for further information about our ongoing groups.
Our groups may be meeting online.
THE PRAYER JOURNEY
Led by: Sister Melanie Kingston
Suggested donation: £10
Prayer is a journey which continues throughout our own life and changes with age,
our experiences, and the pattern of our life.
We come together each month and give an hour to this prayer time, spending
it in God’s presence, setting aside things we could otherwise do, and reflect on a
Gospel passage selected.
First Thursday* of the month (except January & September) 11am - midday
CENTERING PRAYER GROUP
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer, following the teaching of
Father Thomas Keating, which prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative
prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us. This method of
prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Monday 7.30pm-8.30pm
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
Stillness, Silence, Simplicity. A way that leads us into the centre of our being to
discover the spiritual reality of God. This group follows the teaching of Father John
Main OSB and is part of the World Community for Christian Meditation which is a
contemporary, contemplative community and welcomes people of any tradition or
none. Please drop in anytime.
PRAYER GROUP
The group is charismatic, open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is a time of
shared prayer, Scripture, teaching, hymns and silent prayer. It is open to Christians
who seek to be part of a praying community.
Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm
SUPERVISION FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
Group and individual supervision are available.
Please contact us for further information.
19ONGOING GROUPS
CONTEMPLATIVE ART MORNINGS
Led by: Sister Melanie Kingston
Cost: £10
A group of artistic enquirers enjoy learning techniques together and experiment
using a variety of different drawing and painting media. Sessions begin with a time
of prayer. Contact the office for more information.
First Wednesday* of each month (except January & September)
10am-1pm
ARTISTS’ DISCERNMENT DAYS
Donations welcome
These days encourage us to explore our personal artistic journey, its expression
and to gain fresh insights through reflection and sharing our work. Our days
commence prayerfully with a creative guided time that takes inspiration from
spiritual words and images of the natural world. We follow with a shared lunch
and then have the opportunity to talk and show some of the work that we are
currently doing. This is a helpful and positive opportunity to develop our artistic
capabilities. Contact the office for more information.
Third Friday of each month 11am-3pm
CREATIVE QUIET DAYS
Suggested Donation £20
An invitation to spend a day at the House of Prayer, from 10am to 4pm, with
the opportunity to continue with your own creative work and set time aside for
prayer. Guidance available. Please bring your own materials and packed lunch. Tea
and coffee available.
2021
“Silence allows the growth of inner solitude where we will find God in the midst of the noise and activity of the world.” (Rule of Life – Christian Retreat) House of Prayer 35 Seymour Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0PB Telephone: 020 8941 2313 E-mail: admin@christian-retreat.org Website: www.christian-retreat.org
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