Wednesday 25 December 2013

Tuesday 24 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 24

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 24: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (I hope everyone has come through the storm last night safely - perhaps it makes the latter part ...

Monday 23 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 23

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 23: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us We often skate over the end of Matthew's version of the nativity story. It doesn't fit wi...

Sunday 22 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 22

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 22: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us Matthew's account of the birth of Christ has no manger in Bethlehem, and no shepherds, but it...

Friday 20 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 20

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 20: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us Luke 2.1-7 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be r...

Thursday 19 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 19

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 19: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us The central and most wonderful claim of Christian faith is that, somehow, in Jesus, God became pr...

Wednesday 18 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 18

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 18: Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven Many people do not have anywhere to call home in this world. They have had to leave their own...

Monday 16 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 16

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 16: Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven 2 Corinthians 5. 17-19 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old ha...

Sunday 15 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 15

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 15: Psalm 137 By the rivers of Babylon—    there we sat down and there we wept    when we remembered Zion.  On the willows  there    we hun...

Saturday 14 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 14

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 14: The prophet Isaiah wrote for the people of Israel when they were in exile in Babylon. Through him God promises that he will restore them to ...

Friday 13 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 13

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 13: Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven Matthew 22. 1-14 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heave...

Thursday 12 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 12

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 12: Leaving home and coming home. Sophie's Story. Sophie is the youngest of three children. Growing up, Sophie's childhood was tr...

Wednesday 11 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 11

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 11: Leaving home and coming home John 19. 25-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary ...

Tuesday 10 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 10

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 10: Leaving home and coming home Parents of grown-up-and-gone children often find that they aren't quite as "gone" as they tho...

Monday 9 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 9

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 9: Leaving home and coming home Then Jesus   said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give...

Sunday 8 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 8

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 8: Leaving home and coming home. Louise Gluck's poem imagines the Greek soldiers after their triumph in the seige of Troy preparing to go...

Saturday 7 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 7

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 7: Leaving home and coming home. C. Day-Lewis, in this poem reflects on the experience of letting his son, Sean, grow up and leave home. ...

Friday 6 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 6

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 6: Apologies for the late arrival of this - a power cut left us without electricity all morning! Home, sweet home? Reflecting on our experie...

Thursday 5 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 5

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 5: Home, sweet home? Reflecting on our experiences of home Charles Causley's poem, "Timothy Winters" is based on a real child ...

Wednesday 4 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 4

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 4: Home, sweet home? Reflecting on our experiences of home Luke 10.38 - 42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, ...

Tuesday 3 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 3

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 3: Home, sweet home? Reflecting on our experiences of home Read or listen to Robert Hull's Poem "Table" (I can't reproduce...

Monday 2 December 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 2

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 2: "Home , sweet home " For some people, their ideal home is one which is shared with other people, but others may be quite happy o...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 1

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Home for Christmas? 1: Home, sweet home? Reflecting on our experiences of home In the next few weeks, we will be looking at the idea of home from a lot of dif...

Friday 22 November 2013

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Advent Reflections

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Advent Reflections: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS? Daily reflections for Advent Check back here every day from Dec 1 The Christmas story is full of themes that ...

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Ignatian Spirituality and Reflective worship in Hayes

Ignatian spirituality ‘taster’ session
10.30am to 12.00am Sat 23 November at Hayes Free Church, 111 Pickhurst Lane, Hayes BR2 7HU
This session is to give a taste of what will be happening in a new Ignatian spirituality group meeting on the second and fourth Thursday evenings in the month from January. The group will be meeting in Hayes or Beckenham. It will be a sharing group where time will be spent reflecting on Gospel passages and trying out exercises like the review of the day and imaginative meditation. The aim of the group is to help people explore their life and their faith in more depth. All are welcome. There is no parking at the church itself but there should be parking spaces in side-streets nearby. The nearest train station is Hayes, which is a 5-10 minute walk. For more details contact David on davidw.hawthorn1@btinternet.com, tel 020 8249 7188.
 
Monthly reflective worship service at Hayes Free Church from January 2014
On the fourth Sunday of each month (beginning on 26 January) Hayes Free Church will be holding a reflective worship service called The Six O’Clock Service, starting at 6pm and lasting for an hour. Services will use a mixture of hymns and modern songs, times of quiet reflection, readings, exercises, meditations, rituals and prayer stations to explore a different theme each month. The theme for the service on 26 January will be A Prayer Journey with Metropolitan Anthony, based on readings from his book School for Prayer. The church is at 111 Pickhurst Lane, Hayes BR2 7HU. There is no parking at the church itself but there should be parking spaces in side-streets nearby. The nearest train station is Hayes, which is a 5-10 minute walk. For more details contact David ondavidw.hawthorn1@btinternet.com, tel 020 8249 7188. If you are interested in helping to plan a service, leading worship or playing a musical instrument, please contact David.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Advent service at St Luke's Gillingham

St. Luke the Evangelist, Gillingham

Advent Sunday - 1st December 2013
5pm An Advent Service of Penitence and Hope
 
A simple and reflective service of readings, hymns, and silence, based on the traditional Great O Antiphons.
 

Details from eyeseajay[at]btopenworld.com, or call 01634 818649

Friday 1 November 2013

A day for Spiritual Directors

A day for Spiritual Directors
5 April 2014 - 1030 - 3 pm at St Justus’ Church, Rochester ME1 2LT
Bring your own picnic.

The day is a reunion for those who have completed the Canterbury/Rochester Spiritual Accompaniment Course but it is open to all who would like to deepen their skills as Spiritual Directors. David Lonsdale, who has been teaching spirituality and spiritual direction for over 20 years at Heythop College in London, will lead the day. 

Details of how to sign up for this course will follow nearer the time, but you might like to put the date in the diary if you are interested in coming.

Monday 14 October 2013

Coming events at the London Centre for Spirituality

Prepare for the festive season at the London Centre for Spirituality and look forward to a new course for the New Year
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Musiking the Mystery

With June Boyce-Tilman
Professor of Applied Music, University of Winchester
This coming Saturday, 19 October 2013, 11am - 4pm

Early Booking: £30 - Regular ticket: £40
Only 2 days left to take advantage of the early booking discount for this event. For more information or to book, please visit our booking site by following this link.

The day will explore the way music and spirituality have been connected in various cultures - both sacred and secular - with particular focus on the history of European Christianity.
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November Events

Prepare for the coming festive season. Click on the event image below for more information on events coming next month and to book any event.

St Edmund AltarThe Still Centre 
Saturday 2 November 11am - 4pm --  £12
With Mark Godson: Tranquility and access to all Centre resources - drop in - stay all day



Advent with flowersAdvent with Flowers 
Wednesday 24 November 6.45 - 8.45pm --  £20
With Kenneth Boyd Browne: floral arrangement as a practice of meditation and preparation

Gateway to Advent 
Thursday 28 November from 6pm -- Free
With Simon Parke and Angela Reith: breathe deeply before the onrush of the festive season

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Workshops and Courses

Myers Briggs Type indicatorMBTI for Spiritual Directors
for those working in Spiritualy Guidance
With Sue Wilson

Saturday 7 December 2013
11am - 4pm  --  £40
This workshop looks at MBTI with a particular focus on work in Spiritual Guidance


(re)Connecting with God Annette KayeJulian Maddock
With Annette Kaye and Julian Maddock

Mondays 6 - 8pm  -- £200
10 sessions beginning 14 January 2014
find your self : find your direction : find your place
This course is for anyone wishing to explore their spirituality in a non-partisan way

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Exploring Christian Spirituality at London Centre for Spirituality

Exploring Christian Spirituality ; course begins soon
The tree in the churchyard at St Edmund's

Exploring
Christian
Spirituality

with
Antonia Lynn
and
John-Francis Friendship


Monday afternoons
2pm - 4.45pm

14th October 2013
to 31st March 2014

Three Modules over two terms (19 sessions).

There will be breaks for Christmas and Easter and two further short breaks.


The cost of the course is £300


The Course is open to people of all traditions, those of other faith groups, and any who are interested in exploring the theme of Christian Spirituality.

This Course is intended to be experiential rather than academic – to complement personal journeys in spiritual development – and some may find the pace gentler than in other Courses.

Spiritual Formation Today
It is clear that more and more people are developing an interest in spirituality.  The emergence of an awareness that being human concerns matters of mind, body and spirit is not just limited to the personal realm but is being recognised as a factor in the way groups, organisation and societies function.
Realising this growing need, Exploring Christian Spirituality, is a response from the London Centre for SpiritualityThe Course was first run in 2006 and is designed to appeal to those who:

  •  want to discover more about Christian spirituality
  •  seek to widen their understanding of the subject;
  •  are considering further courses but need to deepen their awareness of the breadth of our tradition;
  •  would like to learn new forms of prayer;
  •  are hoping to develop courses in spirituality in their own churches;
  •  feel a call to train as Spiritual Directors;
  •  are looking for a way of renewing their prayer

Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested. Perhaps the course would be good for a directee, a friends at church, a colleague....

Click to open the course brochure


You can book now through our Eventbrite site with a variety of payment options.

Or you can email us with any queries or for further details.


________________________________

“My love is as the hills,
the lonely valleys clad with forest trees.
The rushing, sounding rills,
Strange isles in distant seas,
Lover-like whisperings,
murmurs of the breeze.
My love is the hush-of-night,
Is dawn’s first breathing’s
in the heavens above,
Still music veiled from sight,
Calm that can echoes move,
The feast that brings new strength –
The feast of love.”
S. John of the Cross
_____________
 
Spirituality is not the preserve of a few, chosen,
holy, unique individuals.
It is the means by which we all find our
meaning and purpose in life.
_____________________
 
“The crown of God’s creation is a human
being, made in the image of God
and possessing an affinity to him
in virtue of which he may come to
know him,
to love him and, in the end,
to see him”
Bishop Michael Ramsey


 

Friday 6 September 2013

London Centre for Spirituality Autumn programme

Details of events at the London Centre for Spirituality

 Support in Spiritual Direction

Developing Direction

One Friday per month, 11am - 4pm       Sessions are £40 each

These popular sessions are now bookable individually. Click on the event details below for more information and to book.
 

4 October 2013 - Anne Coleman - Abiding and Abounding
Exploring the formation of ordinands through the lens of spiritual direction

God’s forgiveness and human forgiveness - enigmatic and open-ended

Opening our hearts to a more creative relationship with conflict

Re-orienting our heart and mind toward the source of life within

Models and stages on the spiritual journey.

Psychological and spiritual aspects related to real-life spiritual direction

Booking is currently open for the first six sessions. Further sessions will be added so watch our booking site or ask us to inform you by clicking the button below.
Of course the whole course of 8 sessions is still available to book, too.
I'd like to be updated when further events are bookable
Whole course available to book until 4 October 2013
Supervision Groups
There are a few places remaining in our Supervision Groups for the academic year 2013-14. Each group meets 9 times per year (3 times per term) for 2 hours and the cost is £25 per session. Contact Catherine Chapman by clicking the button below for more information.
Supervision Groups Enquiry

New Christian Thinking
at St Ethelburga's this Autumn

 News from our partner organisation
click on the event details for more information

 
Events

Beyond Honest to God
Saturday 5 October: A day conference examining trends in Christian thinking and practice since the publication of John Robinson's ground-breaking book.

Entering Divine Life
Saturday 12 October:  Claire Henderson Davis leads a powerful short retreat on the naming of God.

Reinvigorating Music in Christian Worship
Saturday 26 October:  A come-and-sing workshop exploring what we might learn from the music of other faith traditions, led by Rosie Parker

Worship
We have a monthly Holy Communion, the next on Wednesday 18 September 6.00pm, with a beautiful liturgy from Iona

New Resources

A new MA in Reconciliation informed by St Ethelburga's work starts at the University of Winchester. You can join the course now or in January 2014.

You can now watch the fascinating conversation between
Rowan Williams and Michael Lapsley.
 

One-day workshops

There are still places available for the workshops listed below. Held from
11am-4pm, each workshop costs £30. More information is available as well as online booking by clicking on the event button.
20 September -- Pádraig Ó Tuama : The Theology of Welcome
28 September -- Gethin Abraham-Williams : Seeing the Good in Unfamiliar Spiritualities
12 October -- Debbie Thrower : Spirituality and Ageing
19 October -- June Boyce-Tillman : Musiking the Mystery

Thursday 5 September 2013

Exploration of Prayer at Halstead Church

“Lord, teach us to pray!”
An adventure in knowing God

There is so much more to prayer than many people realise. A team from the Diocese is will be leading an exploration of Christianity’s rich heritage.  Monthly evening meetings will be held at St. Margaret’s, Halstead at 7.30-9.30pm on Tuesdays, 24th September, 22nd October and 26th November.

24th September: “”Teach us to pray”
Introduction and overview. Knowing God in prayer. The teaching of Jesus.

22nd October: “Listening to God”
Meditation and contemplation, using the Bible and other well tried methods

26th November: “Speaking to God”
Responding to God; intercession; praying in Church.

This introduction course is open and accessible to everyone.

More details : Revd. John Benson 01959 532133 or john.benson@halstead-church.org .

Tuesday 27 August 2013

An Invitation to a Labyrinth Prayer and Share Day.

This is an open invitation to join in an informal day of walking, praying and
sharing experiences of using the labyrinth as a path for prayer and reflection.

There is an increasing interest in the labyrinth as a
path for prayer and reflection and a growing number of churches,
ministries and retreat centres that are offering the labyrinth
to their communities and visitors.

The aim of the day is to enable clergy, chaplains, retreat leaders, teachers, ministry leaders
and interested church members to come together and
·         explore the possibilities of walking and praying with a labyrinth
·         share their experiences and ideas with others
·         take home ideas to develop in your own community
·         walk and pray with others on a labyrinth.

Date             Saturday 12th October 2013

Venue           St Peter’s Church, Frimley, Camberley GU16 7AQ

Cost             £10    Please bring a packed lunch – Fruit & Cake, Tea & Coffee provided.

Max no         30

Programme  

10.00           Arrivals, Registration, Tea / Coffee

10.30           Welcome, Introductions and Opening Prayer

10.50           Walking and Praying: God’s people on the path
                             Input led by Barbara Wallace

11.15           Sharing our stories on the path
An opportunity for participants to share their experiences and resources with the group…
Please arrange this with Barbara in advance… so that we can plan some time /display space
         
12.30           Lunch

1.30             Opportunity for participants to walk and pray
Facilitated by Carol Dilling

2.45             Tea and ‘plenary’ i.e. shall we meet again? What sort of things would people like to do in the future??

3.15             Closing prayers

3.30             Close.

Who are we?

Carol Dilling: Carol has been leading labyrinth events and using small labyrinth prayer mats as part of reflective
worship for the last four years. Carol is a trained labyrinth facilitator and Occasional Worship Leader at St Peters church.

Barbara Wallace: Barbara Wallace is an experienced workshop leader and trained labyrinth facilitator.
She has worked extensively with clergy, chaplains, church communities and ministry teams over the last 10 years.
Barbara runs a prayer resource company called Pilgrim Paths. You can find out more about her on the website
www.pilgrimpaths.co.uk.  Barbara will bring some of her resources to the day.

To book a place

Please email barbara@pilgrimpaths.co.uk and you will receive confirmation of your place. You can pay the £10 on the door.
Cash or cheques only please.

Please contact Barbara if you would like any further information
We look forward to hearing from you

Please pray for this day, may we always seek to walk in His ways.

Peace and blessings on your path

Carol and Barbara


Barbara Wallace
Pilgrim Paths Ltd
07976970726

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

Saturday 24 August 2013

Exploring Prayer - Pembury

Exploring Prayer: The What, Why, How and Where....of Prayer!

At St. Peter’s, Church, Pembury.

Ann Scott and Sue Robertson will be leading two sessions Exploring Prayer on Sundays 22nd and 29th September in the Upper Church from 3.45 to 5 pm.

We hope these sessions will open up a world of prayerful possibilities for everyone, whether a beginner or an experienced explorer in prayer!

For more details contact St Peter's Church office 01892 824761 or e-mail office@pemburychurch.net

Monday 12 August 2013

September events at the London Centre for Spirituality

September

the bountiful month that keeps giving....

A taste of what's coming to the London Centre for Spirituality this autumn

Spiritual Practices in World Faiths

A Free Series of Talks Monday Evenings 6.30 - 8.30
2 September - Christianity          9 September - Sikhism
16 September - Buddhism          23 September - Hinduism
30 September - Wicca           7 October - Judaism
Get more information and book for any or all talks

Thursday 19 September 6.30-8.30pm
An Evening with Kevin Scully

Priest, playwright, actor, writer and broadcaster 
Our author's evenings are informal, intimate and engaging, facilitated by our knowledgeable Editorial Consultant, Derek Collins.
Event is Free
Kevin Scully's books Imperfect Mirror and Simple Gifts will be available to purchase from the author.
For more information and to book, click here

One-day Workshops

 11am - 4pm 
Saturdays (unless otherwise stated)
the cost of each workshop is £30
For more information or to book, click on the links below:
20 September (Friday) - Pádraig Ó Tuama: The Theology of Welcome
28 September - Gethin Abraham Williams: Seeing the Good in Unfamiliar Spiritualities
12 October -- Debbie Thrower: Spirituality and Ageing
19 October -- June Boyce-Tillman: Musiking the Mystery