BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Launde Abbey - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Launde Abbey X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Launde Abbey REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260718T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260718T160000 DTSTAMP:20260704T135922Z CREATED:20251104T144243Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260704T135922Z UID:10000182-1784368800-1784390400@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:July Saturday Quiet Day: ‘Give us today our daily bread’ ***FULLY BOOKED*** DESCRIPTION:A quiet day to meditate afresh on the phrases of the Lord’s Prayer. Through short talks and quiet reflection\, there will be an opportunity to engage with prayer stations to express our response creatively as we pray through the core themes of the prayer. \n\n\n\nThere will be times for quiet reflection alongside plenty to engage with. If you are new to Quiet Days\, this could be a day for you. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLed by Revd. Debbie Smith\, Resident Chaplain.As a new member of the team at Launde Abbey\, Debbie brings experience as a psychotherapist\, of teaching pastoral care and counselling and of leading retreats.  She has worked in parish ministry and as a healthcare chaplain\, both in the UK and in New Zealand. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQuiet Day price: £46 includes lunch and coffee and tea throughout the day.Why not think about extending your time at Launde by staying overnight after the event?  Check for availability and a quote when you contact us. \n\n\n\nYes – I’d like to take part in this Quiet Day!  (Please complete this form to request a place.)  \n\n\n\n\n \n \n Quiet Day Registration Form\n \n \n Contact DetailsName(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n PhoneAddress \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n Address Line 2\n \n \n City\n \n \n Postcode\n \n \n Country\n AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire\, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo\, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea\, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea\, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine\, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena\, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania\, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands\, BritishVirgin Islands\, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands \n \n \n DetailsDate of Quiet Day(Required)How did you hear about this event?Social MediaGoogleWord of MouthRefer a FriendPast ParticipantOtherAnything else we need to know? URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/july-saturday-quiet-day-1/ CATEGORIES:Quiet Days ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Launde-Programme-Thumbnails-70-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260719T124500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260719T144500 DTSTAMP:20260630T075801Z CREATED:20260603T140253Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T075801Z UID:10000259-1784465100-1784472300@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Summer Sunday Buffet Lunch DESCRIPTION:This summer\, we are serving our two-course Seasonal Sunday Lunch buffet priced at just £17.95 per person (£14.20 main course only). \n\n\n\nEnjoy a selection from a range of fresh seasonal salads and cold meats combined with a filling serving of hot buttered new potatoes (vegetarian option is available). \n\n\n\nFor dessert\, select from a table of Chef’s choice desserts and fresh fruit salad.  \n\n\n\nWe also have a licensed bar\, plenty of parking and some lovely walks on the doorstep\, so why not come and make a day of it? \n\n\n\nPre-booking is essential. \n\n\n\n \n \n Summer Sunday Buffet Lunch – Booking Request\n \n \n Contact DetailsName(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n Phone(Required)DetailsSummer Sunday Buffet Lunch Date(Required)Number of Adults(Required)Number of Children (below 11 years)Dietary RequirementsAnything else we need to know?How did you hear about this event?Social MediaGoogleWord of MouthRefer a FriendPast ParticipantOther\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\nPlease email info@launde.org.uk\, or call 01572 717254. URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/summer-sunday-buffet-lunch-4/ CATEGORIES:Sunday Lunches/Carvery ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Launde-Programme-Thumbnails-96-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260720T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260724T150000 DTSTAMP:20260519T143136Z CREATED:20260105T140748Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T143136Z UID:10000190-1784556000-1784905200@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Into the Silent Land: Five-Day Meditation Retreat **FULLY BOOKED** DESCRIPTION:book now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDue to high demand\, we are delighted to announce that we will be running this retreat again… \n\n\n\nInto The Silent Land: A Five-Day Meditation Retreat – 20th – 24th July 2026 \n\n\n\n“We are built for contemplation… Communion with God in the silence of the heart is a God-given capacity\, like the rhododendron’s capacity to flower\, the fledglings for flight\, and the child’s for self-forgetful abandon and joy.” \n\n\n\nWith these words\, Martin Laird begins his classic book Into the Silent Land: The Practice of Contemplation\, widely recognised as one of the best introductions to meditation in the Christian tradition written in generations. He brings together an engaging introduction to the Christian contemplative tradition for people inside or on the margins of the churches who feel drawn to the world of silent prayer. \n\n\n\nMartin Laird shows how silence and meditation can offer a remedy to many contemporary dilemmas and emotional struggles. Writing with great clarity\, poetic depth and authority\, Laird examines central meditative methods and traditions found within contemplative prayer. Exploring the role of breath in the spiritual life and the nature of awareness – so often associated in the minds of many with other spiritual traditions – he shows that this is also an ancient concern of Christian thinkers. \n\n\n\nHow do we enter the “Silent Land” of Divine presence? “By the silence of surrender\,” says Laird: “The contemplative discipline of meditation…is not a technique but a surrendering of deeply held resistances that allows the sacred within to gradually reveal itself as a simple\, fundamental fact.” \n\n\n\n“The more we realise we are one with God the more we become ourselves\, just as we are\, just as we were created to be. The Creator is outpouring love\, the creation\, the love outpoured.” \n\n\n\nIn this experiential retreat\, we will explore the essential skills and wisdom of the art of meditation as set out in ‘Into the Silent Land’\, including: \n\n\n\n\nCultivating gentle concentration (attentiveness) and the opening of awareness\n\n\n\nThe subtle challenges of stilling the mind and the interior skills to meet them\n\n\n\nHow our deepening silence reveals “the overflowing vastness” of our deepest identity in God\n\n\n\nBecoming windows of light and places of peace for the world\n\n\n\n\nWho is this for? \n\n\n\nInto the Silent Land offers profound insights for the student of silent prayer but is especially intended for the non-specialist who feels drawn to discover the deep wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition. It has been carefully crafted to be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace\, regardless of their faith\, beliefs or previous experience of meditation. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nThe focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice and we will practice bringing loving-awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting\, while walking or eating\, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply. \n\n\n\nAs this is a largely silent retreat\, the practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins and continue until just before lunchtime on the Friday\, except during whole group and small group structured conversation times. \n\n\n\nAlthough the practice of silence may be new to some\, most people find stepping back from conversation and distraction\, a powerful experience. Maintaining a peaceful environment – walking\, moving\, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other. \n\n\n\nThe retreat timetable includes periods of private practice time for sitting and walking meditation. Some people find it helpful to bring a craft activity to accompany times of private sitting meditation. \n\n\n\nPractical information \n\n\n\nThe retreat will start at 14:00 on the Monday and finish at 15:00 on the Friday\, and will involve extended periods of meditation practice and silence. Each full day of the retreat will include: \n\n\n\n\n06:30 Sitting meditation & walking meditation\n\n\n\n08:00 Breakfast in silence\n\n\n\n09:00 Talk and group sitting meditation\n\n\n\n10:30 Private practice time / small group conversation\n\n\n\n12:30 Group sitting meditation\n\n\n\n13:00 Lunch in silence\n\n\n\n14:00 Private practice time / small group conversation\n\n\n\n17:00 Group sitting meditation\n\n\n\n18:00 Dinner in silence\n\n\n\n19:00 Talk\n\n\n\n20:00 Group conversation\n\n\n\n21:00 Retire in silence\n\n\n\n\nEarly morning practice is a wonderful way to greet the day together. While we very much encourage everyone to attend the 06:30 am practice session\, if this is difficult for you for any reason please don’t worry. It is always enough to do what we can – or what our life allows. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWords of support from Martin Laird \n\n\n\n“The School of Contemplative Life will surely rate among the most significant responses to the spiritual longings of the people of this nation and abroad [and] directly nourish and cultivate the depth-dimension of life through its well thought out programme of retreats\, guidance and other opportunities\, to the wellspring of silence and compassion flowing within.” \n\n\n\nAttending a silent retreat \n\n\n\nBeing on retreat is a precious opportunity to be still\, to be silent\, to practice living simply and peacefully and cultivate the gift of loving-awareness as we devote ourselves to the depth-dimension of faith and life. \n\n\n\nThe focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice and we will practice bringing loving-awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting\, while walking or eating\, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply. \n\n\n\nThe practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins at 14:00 on the Monday and continue until lunchtime on the Friday. Although the practice of silence may be new to some\, most people find this a powerful and wonderful experience. Maintaining a quiet and peaceful environment – walking\, moving\, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other. \n\n\n\nThe retreat timetable includes periods of private practice time for sitting and walking meditation. Some people find it helpful to bring a craft activity to accompany times of private sitting meditation. If you decide to do this\, the craft should be very simple and not likely to stimulate thoughts. The Desert Fathers and Mothers were famous for weaving baskets! \n\n\n\nYou may wish to bring warm\, comfy clothes and a waterproof jacket/umbrella for walking meditation in the event of inclement weather. A notepad and pen will also be useful. \n\n\n\nRetreat Leader \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey. Chris’ monastic teachers\, including Sylvester Houedard OSB\, taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions\, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community\, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala\, India. Chris regularly delivers talks\, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. \n\n\n\nFor information about the School of Contemplative Life\, please visit: www.schoolofcontemplativelife.com or https://www.youtube.com/@schoolofcontemplativelife  \n\n\n\nRetreat price: £644 (standard room) or £704 (character room)EARLY BIRD RATE: £604 (standard room) or £664 (character room) if booked by 11th May 2026!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. \n\n\n\nClick here to book your place on this retreat now: \n\n\n\n\nbook now\n\n\n\n\nFor any questions\, or queries or if you’d like to know more\, please call  01572 717254 or alternatively email us: info@launde.org.uk URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/intothesilentland2026/ CATEGORIES:Launde Abbey Retreats,Silent Retreats,Spiritual Practices ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/School-of-Contemplative-Life_-Into-the-Silent-Land-3-scaled-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260726T124500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260726T144500 DTSTAMP:20260630T075852Z CREATED:20260603T140316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T075852Z UID:10000260-1785069900-1785077100@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Summer Sunday Buffet Lunch DESCRIPTION:This summer\, we are serving our two-course Seasonal Sunday Lunch buffet priced at just £17.95 per person (£14.20 main course only). \n\n\n\nEnjoy a selection from a range of fresh seasonal salads and cold meats combined with a filling serving of hot buttered new potatoes (vegetarian option is available). \n\n\n\nFor dessert\, select from a table of Chef’s choice desserts and fresh fruit salad.  \n\n\n\nWe also have a licensed bar\, plenty of parking and some lovely walks on the doorstep\, so why not come and make a day of it? \n\n\n\nPre-booking is essential. \n\n\n\n \n \n Summer Sunday Buffet Lunch – Booking Request\n \n \n Contact DetailsName(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n \n Phone(Required)DetailsSummer Sunday Buffet Lunch Date(Required)Number of Adults(Required)Number of Children (below 11 years)Dietary RequirementsAnything else we need to know?How did you hear about this event?Social MediaGoogleWord of MouthRefer a FriendPast ParticipantOther\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\nPlease email info@launde.org.uk\, or call 01572 717254. URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/summer-sunday-buffet-lunch-5/ CATEGORIES:Sunday Lunches/Carvery ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Launde-Programme-Thumbnails-96-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260727T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260729T140000 DTSTAMP:20260309T131306Z CREATED:20251204T225749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T131306Z UID:10000186-1785168000-1785333600@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood DESCRIPTION:book now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor 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.  \n\n\n\nChine McDonald \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChine 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.  \n\n\n\nwww.chinemcdonald.com  \n\n\n\nEARLY BIRD RATE: £336 (standard room) or £366 (character room) if booked by 18th May 2026! Retreat price: £356 (standard room) or £386 (character room)  \n\n\n\nPrice 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. \n\n\n\n\nbook now\n\n\n\n\nFor any questions\, queries or if you’d like to know more\, please call  01572 717254 or alternatively email us: info@launde.org.uk URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/unmaking-mary-shattering-the-myth-of-perfect-motherhood/ CATEGORIES:Launde Abbey Retreats,Spiritual Practices,Wellbeing Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Launde-Programme-Thumbnails-88-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR