Southwest 2024 Retreat: The Voice of this Calling
The Voice of this Calling: Listening to the voice of our souls in a confusing world.
Speaker: Bridget Hewitt
Friday 20th Sept. – Sunday 22nd Sept. 2024
At the Ammerdown Centre, Radstock, Somerset BA3 5SW
The Voice of this Calling: Listening to the voice of our souls in a confusing world.
Using the words ‘The voice of this calling’ taken from T S Eliot’s Four Quartets, we will explore how we might listen deep within ourselves. We will also think about how we are called to live and to love in a world that, for many of us, may often feel confusing and difficult to navigate.
We will think about the challenges that our contemporary world is facing us with, and ways in which we are called, through those challenges, to hear the voice that always leads us towards hope, transformation and life, as Jesus said, ‘in all its fullness’.
Bridget Hewitt has been involved with WCCM for many years, and has led a number of retreat weekends and days. She regularly leads Quiet Garden days in her garden in Hexham (Northumberland). She is a wife, mother and grandmother; She has a deep love of the Scottish highlands and islands – and of the mystical tradition that winds its way through Christianity.
The retreat is an opportunity to deepen our meditation practice.
We welcome experienced meditators and newcomers alike. There is an introduction to the Christian meditation practice at the beginning of the weekend. Accordingly, central to the retreat will be several periods of meditation, and one period of lectio divina. To be further open to the presence of God we will be silent from Friday night until supper on Saturday…but there will also be times to discuss and to relax.
Venue: The Ammerdown Centre is a Christian foundation dedicated to hospitality, spirituality and growth. It is located alongside a stately home, surrounded by gardens, parkland, and woods – steeped in tranquillity. The loudest noise is that of birdsong. There is plenty of scope for strolls and longer walks. The Centre has a beautiful chapel, a well-deserved reputation for good food, and a bar which will be open on Saturday evening.
Ammerdown is located 12 miles south of Bath. We will send directions to you prior to the retreat, but guidance is available at www.ammerdown.org
Accommodation
Ammerdown has well-appointed modern bedrooms with ensuite facilities, situated on the first floor. There is a lift. The rooms are a mix of double, twin-bedded and single. Sharing a room will attract a £10 per head discount.
There are three “accessible” rooms, two of which are on the ground floor, one with a toilet and bath for the disabled.
On site camping (informal) and caravanning are possible.
Costs
The standard cost for the weekend is £285 per person. A shared room is £275. Caravanners and campers £205.
Way outside your budget? Well, we can help. We want all to come who wish to do so, irrespective of means. We have a fund to enable substantial concessions for those who need them. Please do contact John to discuss.
Booking
Please use the booking form here.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis once John has received your deposit of £25 per person. John will acknowledge your booking. If you could pay by BACs, it would be appreciated as it considerably reduces admin. Joining and travel guidance will be sent to you later.
Please send to John the balance of your fee by August 1st. We cannot refund any money after that date unless we can find someone else to take your place.
Enquiries to:
John Roberts, Sanctuary Cottage,
Newtown Lane, West Pennard,
Glastonbury BA6 8NL
07970 039007
john.wilcott@gmail.com