Clergy Wellbeing Retreat at Ashburnham
Time to step back from parish demands for a day to reflect and rest. With facilitated conversations, creative input, opportunities for prayer, and options for both solitude, and relationship building; in the beautiful rural setting of Ashburnham Place Retreat Centre , East Sussex, with its array of indoor and outdoor spaces to be enjoyed.
A RELAXING RETREAT EXCLUSIVELY FOR DIOCESE of CHICHESTER CLERGY
Time to step back from parish demands for a day to reflect and rest. With facilitated conversations, creative input, opportunities for prayer, and options for both solitude, and relationship building; in the beautiful rural setting of Ashburnham Place Retreat Centre, East Sussex, with its array of indoor and outdoor spaces to be enjoyed.
Retreat Date: 29th September 9.00am - 4pm.
Retreat Hosts: Laura Steven, DoC Head of Wellbeing for Clergy, and Paul Wenham, General Director, Ashburnham Christian Trust.
Paul has led various organisations and social enterprises over the years and is a firm believer that all people are fearfully brilliant but are sometimes unaware of that fact. As a keen long-distance runner he enjoys the outdoors, endurance and quiet adventures.
During the morning
Upon arrival (9am-9:45) you will be welcomed at Reception with refreshments and given a program of options for the day ahead. Whilst we wait for everyone to arrive, you can mingle, take a solitary walk, or settle into the Great Hall where they will be live background music. At 10am (prompt!), Laura and Paul will provide a gathering welcome and facilitate thoughtful, participatory reflections, to provide impetus for your day of retreat.
Lunch
Take your seat and relax with snacks, whilst each table is invited to the servery to collect a main course and dessert. Lunch will be healthy and sourced as locally as possible. You will be asked to indicate allergies/intolerances when you book your ticket. (At previous events people have found lunch satisfying, but keep in mind, you can also visit the Orangery Team Room on-site to purchase sandwiches, cakes, or a cream tea).
Afternoon Options
- Be the recipient of a Sound Portrait, an instrumental prayer improvised live, and digitally recorded just for you by Epiphany Music NB Limited places, sign up on the day!
- Receive 1:1 prayer ministry in St Peter's Church, offered by retired clergy.
- Attend an Introduction to the Enneagram Workshop with one of the founders of Enneagram Global
- Join a campfire circle or take a guided walk with an experienced facilitator
- Enjoy walks around the lakes, the sensory prayer garden and working kitchen garden.
- Quietly wander the paths through ancient English woodland. Discover the cedar-clad ‘folly’ where you can sit & pray
- Look out for wildlife: deer, buzzards, red kites, woodpeckers, marsh tits and fire crests
- Settle on one of the many benches with scenic views
- Have an afternoon cream-tea in the Orangery Tea Room (self-funded)
- Play and pray creatively with art and writing supplies provided.
- Visit the on-site gifts- and bookshop.
Concluding Together
We will conclude all together in the Great Hall to share the day’s blessings, offer thanks and prayer. The event will be finished by 4:00pm.
Tickets: *£10 EARLY BIRD*; £15 after Aug 26th.
Tickets include everything indicated above. Please note, this event is EXCLUSIVELY for Chichester Diocese Clergy in active ministry.
Book here