Linda Hopkins Coaching

During the summer I managed two short retreats. Each quite different, they met my need to take myself away from the everyday stuff of work and life for a while; to spend time doing something different, with some input and time to reflect, pray, enjoy and create.

For one, I spent a few days in London at the house of the Sisters of Saint Andrew, Lewisham.  A good chunk of the time I stayed alone in the silence of the retreat house; I walked the labyrinth and wandered in the garden, I worked through some of ‘The Artist’s Rule’, a book by Christine Valters Paintner, made good use of the art room, and sat in silence in the chapel. I also had company of a very good friend, someone who over the years has become a soul friend to me. We set time away from the quiet of the house to catch up on news and eat together; we did lots of walking, talking, laughing, and reflecting together. In the evenings we joined the sisters for evening prayer.  

The other was an online retreat morning.  In the comfort of my home, via zoom, the retreat guide introduced us to Celtic Saint Brigid.  With story, reflection, drama and scripture she encouraged us to consider Christ’s invitation to us, through the themes inspired by Brigid’s story. 

These retreat experiences were quite different but each enabled me to return refreshed to home and work. I had been challenged with questions and story; invitations that left me with much to be thankful for as I recognise that there is always more to receive and to know about myself, about God, and about my life of faith.

I recently discovered Renew:all website which is highlighting the importance of retreat: 

We are all busy juggling everyday life and it can be difficult to take time out to reflect, contemplate or pray. Taking time out to pause, breathe and reset the rhythm of our lives is invaluable. Let’s say it’s a retreat to go forward… a time to trust in God more, to nourish your soul, a chance to check-in with your life’s direction, to look afresh and to renew:all.

Renew:all have named this week as National Retreat Week and their website has resources for groups and individuals.  I often direct people asking about places to go for a retreat to The Retreat Association. Their website holds details of most of the retreat centres in the UK.

This Friday I am hosting an in person retreat day at St Joseph’s Prayer Centre, Formby, Merseyside.  I’m really looking forward to creating space for us to be, to stop a while, to focus on the God who knows us, loves us, and calls us into life.  There are a few spaces still available, if you’d like to join us get in touch. 

If you’re thinking of planning a retreat, I pray you will find the right time and place for you. Be open to different options and opportunities, and to what you find whilst on retreat.  There is no one perfect place to retreat to, or perfect way to retreat. If this is new to you, look at the various options offered by the centres named on the Retreat Association’s site.  Speak to people you know who have made a retreat themselves, with your spiritual director if you have one; talk about the options available and what you feel drawn to. 

Here are some questions that might guide you:

Do you want time to be alone with quiet space? Do you need activity and action? Do you want teaching and input from others? Do you want to be part of a group? Or would you benefit from a one to one guided retreat? 

Is the context of the retreat space important to you? If so, what are you drawn to in terms of location: online, country, coast, city, basic accommodation or something with more comfort; food provided or self catering? Are you considering retreating for a day or for longer? And is it important to you who you stay with – within a Religious community, a private dwelling, in isolation, community or a bit of both? Would you benefit from additional input – pastoral care, counselling, or other additional support?

Considering these questions can help you to work out what to look for from your retreat and to narrow down the different options available.  If you have been on many retreats before, perhaps try something different. 

I’m looking forward to hosting some retreat spaces online this autumn and into the new year.  Some take a theme for our focus, with input and reflective questions to guide us.  Additionally, there are a couple of photo retreat days which offer an opportunity to explore the nature of God through image and photography.