An Advent Week with the Launde Abbey Community: A Season Of Longing And Waiting
Sunday 29th November @ 3:00 pm – Sunday 6th December @ 4:00 pm
During the first Week of Advent, the Launde Abbey Community welcomes guests to join in the expectation of the coming of Christ at Christmas through a pattern of common life. This is not a structured retreat; your time is your own and you can choose to use it in the way most beneficial to you. You are invited to join us for a single day, several days, staying overnight, or even for the whole week. You can come as a resident or day guest and shape the retreat as suits you.
Self-guided retreatants are invited to participate in our rhythm of prayer with a different focus at the heart of each day as we reflect on the Advent Season of Longing and Waiting.
Monday 30th The Promise
Tuesday 1st The Blessing
Wednesday 2nd The Kingdom to Come
Thursday 3rd The Light will Dawn
Friday 4th The Suffering Servant
Saturday 5th The New Covenant
Sunday 6th The Annunciation
Our pattern of services from Monday to Saturday will be slightly different to the usual with 8am Morning Prayer, 12 noon Midday Eucharist, 5pm Evening Prayer, to better accommodate day guests as well as residents around the Eucharist. On Sunday morning, however, the Eucharist will be at 8am as usual (no services later in the day).
On selected days, there are additional bookable offerings, including our ‘Waiting for the Light’ Music and Readings for Advent, a guided Wreath-making workshop, a Saturday Quiet Day and more! Options are detailed below and these can be joined to an overnight stay or attended as a day guest.
Overnight accommodation is available throughout the week and can be booked directly via our website (press ‘Book Now’ and select the Advent dates to view prices and availability).
We invite you to come at your own pace, and to shape your time here around what you most need: quiet, prayer, rest, or gentle engagement with the themes of Advent. Chaplaincy will also be available by arrangement during the day (there may be an extra cost depending on how much you want to access this) and you have access to simple craft materials and suggested Christmassy projects.
An Advent Journey
During Advent Week in the Abbey there will be Prayer Stations to encourage us to reflect on peace encouraging us to pause and look at where we need stillness, restoration, and harmony as we pray for peace for ourselves, for those we care for, our communities and our world.
Please note: this is not a guided retreat.
Leaders: The Launde Abbey Community (clergy and chaplains)
Sunday (29 November)
Bookable offering:
Amidst the warm glow of candlelight, join us at Launde Abbey for an afternoon of Music and Readings to prepare for the season. We will be immersed in the beauty of scripture and song, and you can stay afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies.
Monday (30 November) – The Promise
Advent begins in darkness, with a wounded world and a promise: evil will not have the final word. Humanity has turned away from God, yet God does not abandon humanity. The darkness will not overcome.
“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord” Psalm 130:1
Bookable offering:
The Revd Chris Duffett is an artist and loves to teach others to pray and listen to God through the medium of art. He will lead a workshop exploring how we might express with paint what we hear from God as we watch and wait for the Living Word in Advent. No prior experience or artistic talent necessary. All materials will be provided.
Tuesday (1 December) – The Blessing
God’s desire is to gather humanity back to himself. God wants to bless us, but the blessing is given not simply to rest with us. God’s promise is so large that it reaches all peoples. It is given to us so that we may be a blessing to others.
“May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.” Psalm 67
Bookable offering:
Take a couple of hours at the beginning of this Advent season, put on your coat and boots to explore and experience God’s creation. This is an opportunity to stop, look and listen. Using all your senses to know and understand more about our Everlasting Father and Creator God.
Wednesday (2 December) – The Kingdom to COme
The promise given to David reaches forward through generations. Centuries pass. The promise remains. Jesus invites us to recognise God’s reign already at work among us. Advent teaches us something about God’s time “I will establish his kingdom for ever.”
“It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:11
Bookable offering:
Get some early inspiration ahead of the festive season and join us for a Christmas wreath-making workshop as part of Advent Week with the Launde Abbey Community — the perfect way to begin your Christmas celebrations. Led by Lizzie Lonsdale.
Thursday (3 December) – THE LIGHT WILL DAWN
God’s light shines into the darkness of the world and of our hearts. We are given a vision of a child who will reign with justice and peace, but he comes in humility. God beckons us to look for him in unexpected places: in littleness, in poverty, in silence.
“Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:12
Bookable offering:
Step back from the December rush of shopping, planning, and endless to-do lists to hear afresh the message of the Angels in the quiet, ordinary spaces of life, offering unexpected messages of hope, peace, and direction.
Friday (4 December) – THe Suffering Servant
The child for whom we wait is also the suffering servant. The manger points already towards the cross. The promised salvation will come through self-giving love.
“He was wounded for our transgressions.” Isaiah 53:5
Saturday (5 December) – A New Covenant
God promises more than his help; He promises to change the human heart. The New Covenant is hidden in the mystery of Christ.
“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” Jeremiah 31:33
Bookable offering:
This Advent retreat offers an invitation to draw aside, rest and reflect. Using the season of Advent as a time of preparation, Revd Andrew Hall explores what it means to welcome God’s love more deeply into our lives and to reimagine the rhythms of daily life with God.
Sunday (6 December) – the Annunciation
A virgin will be with child. The ancient prophesy now means something. We have waited with Abraham, David, Isaiah and Jeremiah. We have listened to the apostles proclaim what God has done in Christ. Now we arrive at the dawn of the new covenant.
“Let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Morning Eucharist of Second Advent Sunday
HOW TO BOOK
To book a residential stay:
Overnight stays are available throughout Advent. Prices start at £109.10 for single occupancy dinner, bed & breakfast per night, and you may wish to opt for our comprehensive full board rate if extending your stay for two nights or more. You are warmly invited to stay for as long as you are able.
*Please note that our daily offerings, such as our ‘Waiting for the Light’ Music and Readings for Advent and Wreath-making workshop etc., will need to be booked separately.*
To book as a day guest:
(10:00 am – 4:00 pm, daily, Monday to Saturday)
Please complete the form below to reserve your spot for a day retreat at Launde Abbey during Advent. We will confirm your booking as soon as possible.
Price per day: £37.00 — access to the communal spaces in the Main House as well as the gardens and grounds, morning coffee with a homemade cookie, 2-course buffet lunch, and afternoon tea with homemade cake. Hot and cold drinks are available throughout the day.
If you are attending a Quiet Day, you do not need to make this additional day booking — your Quiet Day reservation already covers your day visit.