Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood

£336

For 2,000 years, the Virgin Mary has been depicted throughout art, literature and culture as symbolising the perfect mother: chaste, beautiful, meek, mild and white. These supposed virtues and symbols have shaped not just Christianity but wider popular culture; and have contributed to harmful views about motherhood and what it is to be a woman. This retreat will offer a time for reflection on the impacts of these tropes on us, and attempt to create a space to exhale; freeing ourselves from the burden of perfection, and an opportunity to gain new insight into the person of Mary, her humanity, motherhood and what we learn about God through her. 

Chine McDonald

Chine McDonald is Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She was previously Head of Public Engagement at Christian Aid. She has two decades of experience in journalism, media and communications across faith, media and international development organisations. She also speaks and writes regularly on issues of race, faith and gender, and is the author of ‘God is not a white man: and other revelations’ (Hodder & Stoughton, May 2021) which was runner-up for the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing, and Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood (Hodder & Stoughton, March 2025). Chine is a regular writer, broadcaster, panel host and media commentator and has written for the Financial Times, the Guardian, The Independent, The Big Issue, Prospect, The Mirror and contributes to TV and radio programmes such as regularly presenting the BBC’s Thought for the Day on Radio 4’s Today programme and appearing on BBC Sunday Morning Live. She regularly speaks in and hosts panels including previously at Cheltenham Festivals and How the Light Gets In. She is vice–chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee of Christian Aid and Demos. She is on the Advisory board for Cambridge University Library. Chine studied Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University, and is a Canon Theologian at Chester Cathedral. 

www.chinemcdonald.com 

EARLY BIRD RATE: £336 (standard room) or £366 (character room) if booked by 18th May 2026! 
Retreat price: £356 (standard room) or £386 (character room) 

Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources. It may be possible for you to extend your stay with us by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey directly if you would like to extend your stay.

For any questions, queries or if you’d like to know more, please call  01572 717254 or alternatively email us: [email protected]