BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Launde Abbey - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20260323T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260326T140000 DTSTAMP:20260226T123131Z CREATED:20260212T122749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T123131Z UID:10000226-1774281600-1774533600@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Living with Loss DESCRIPTION:book now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave you been struggling since the death of your loved one? \n\n\n\nCome and join with others who have also experienced life-changing loss through bereavement. The aim of this supported retreat is to help you cope with your grief. Through a creative variety of activities\, including led sessions\, discussions and quiet reflection\, we explore the journey of grief\, with a focus on finding a way forward in the changed circumstances that are the result of bereavement. It includes a special time of candle-lighting remembrance. This is a gentle retreat with a Christian perspective\, sensitively led by Abi May and team\, suitable for those who have lost a husband or wife\, children or other close family members\, or who have suffered multiple losses. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbi May runs the ‘Living with Loss’ project\, which is a member of the National Bereavement Alliance.  She is an experienced retreat leader\, bereavement author and educator\, as well as being a bereaved mother. Her grief support retreats and training courses have been held in locations throughout the UK as well as online since 2016. Find out more: www.livingwithloss.co.uk \n\n\n\nWatch interviews with Abi and the Living with Loss project participants on this Songs of Praise “Faith and Grief” episode filmed at Launde Abbey\, broadcast on 15 January 2023: You can view the programme here  \n\n\n\nSome kind words from previous retreatants: \n\n\n\n“The content of the bereavement sessions was excellent and the approach varied\, interactive and all very clearly presented.” \n\n\n\n“I thought Abi led the sessions with sensitivity and compassion.” \n\n\n\n“This was a first-class retreat which I found extremely helpful.” \n\n\n\n“I had no idea\, really\, what to expect this week. I am returning home feeling assured that I will survive and continue to take ‘small steps’ on my journey.”  \n\n\n\nEARLY BIRD RATE: £474 (standard room) or £519 (character room) if booked by 12th January 2026Retreat price: £504 (standard room) or £549 (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\nClick below to book your place now on this retreat: \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  \n\n\n\nPlease complete and return the ‘Retreat Questionnaire‘ as soon as possible to the retreat leader at livingwithloss@btinternet.com after you have booked your place. **CLICK TO DOWNLOAD**     URL:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/event/living-with-loss-3/ CATEGORIES:Launde Abbey Retreats,Wellbeing Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Living-With-Loss-scaled-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260327T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260329T150000 DTSTAMP:20260326T094924Z CREATED:20251203T124207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T094924Z UID:10000185-1774627200-1774796400@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:The Journey into Oneness: Meditation and the Wisdom of the Cloud of Unknowing - A Weekend Silent Retreat **1 SPACE AVAILABLE** DESCRIPTION:book now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Weekend Silent Retreat \n\n\n\n‘God is your being.’  So says the anonymous medieval author of The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counselling. We are already one with God\, with each other and all creation in God. \n\n\n\nHow might meditation help us to become aware of this oneness? And how might this awareness transform our lives and relationships?  \n\n\n\nThe Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy (‘private’) Counselling are among the most important texts on meditation in the Christian tradition. Originally written as practical guides for his student\, the author teaches with a blend of wisdom and simplicity\, directness and humour that reaches across the centuries. \n\n\n\nThrough a flow of talks\, silent meditation practice and opportunities for conversation\, we’ll explore: \n\n\n\n\nthe simple guidelines for meditation practice as described in The Cloud;\n\n\n\nwhat the author says in The Book of Privy Counselling about the practice of resting in awareness\, the realisation of oneness\, and how our practice can benefit the whole of creation.\n\n\n\n\nThe Cloud author sees meditation as a path of integration\, of liberation and harmony\, which contributes not only to the well-being of the practitioner\, but to the well-being of all people\, of the entire universe.  \n\n\n\nUltimately\, meditation ‘is nothing else but the glorious gift of love’ he says\, a ‘work of love’ which illuminates the heart and makes our ‘relationships with others beautiful’. To the one who is content to enter the mystery of God’s infinite love\, ‘all people seem family to them\, and none seem a stranger.’ \n\n\n\nIt is enough to simply lift up our hearts ‘with a humble stirring of love\,’ says the author.  No thoughts are needed. ‘Let God be God’ without trying to dress God up in your favourite God-clothes. Allow yourself to come to God ‘just as you are…’  \n\n\n\nFor those who would like to do some pre-reading for the retreat\, two chapters in Chris Whittington’s book The Missing Peace feature new translations from these classic texts: Chapter 9\, ‘Enter Into Your Inner Room’\, and Chapter 35\, ‘Resting in Awareness’. \n\n\n\nWho is this for? \n\n\n\nThis retreat will offer important insights for those who practice meditation\, but is also intended for those who are new to the practice and feel drawn to discover the deep wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition. It has been carefully crafted to be accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace\, regardless of their faith or beliefs. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \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 on Friday and continue until after lunch on Sunday. 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 last session of each day will be an opportunity for conversation together\, to reflect on the content of the talks and what we have experienced in our meditation throughout the day. \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\nPractical information \n\n\n\nA detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending a week or two before it begins (or is available on request sooner). The retreat starts on Friday at 4:30 pm with an orientation talk\, followed by a period of silent meditation before dinner. Short talks across the weekend will be balanced with periods of sitting meditation\, walking meditation\, time for private reflection and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The retreat will finish at 3:00 pm after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday. \n\n\n\nSaturday and Sunday begin at 6:30 am with meditation practice. Early morning meditation is a wonderful way to greet the day together. While we very much encourage everyone to attend this 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\nSmall reflection groups\, hosted by Chris\, provide an opportunity for up to seven people to meet and explore together a question or two about their meditation practice\, or how practice relates to what they have heard during a talk or to daily life. We can learn so much by sharing with and listening to others. \n\n\n\nEvent 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 in England. Chris’ monastic teachers 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. \n\n\n\nChris 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. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple\, practical ways\, resonant with the challenges of daily life. \n\n\n\nChris is the author of The Missing Peace | Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace\, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press in the Autumn. \n\n\n\nTestimonials \n\n\n\n“From start to finish\, the retreat was incredible.  The schedule was ideal: a mix of lectures\, meditation\, silent meals and private practice. This was my first experience of The School of Contemplative Life and I drove 9 hours on a gut instinct to attend. It was worth every minute. Chris is an attentive and insightful teacher; clearly with a wealth of knowledge.  This is the kind of teaching I have been searching for! Thank you for making it possible. I feel relieved and excited to have landed on a path I can trust. I know I can learn\, develop and grow under such guidance. Post-retreat\, I feel a sense of inner peace and calm that is new.. a wonderful beginning.” \n\n\n\n“The content was extraordinary and life-changing\, not to be dramatic! I was already a (newish) meditator but the extra sitting meditations\, the walking meditations in your beautiful grounds\, in the quiet company of others\, was very special. Chris is a wonderful teacher\, speaking with precision and clarity about the simple (yet deep) truths of who we really are.  I felt the presence of God more clearly than perhaps I ever have done and know that in some way I am changed\, even now I’m back home.” \n\n\n\n“There is so much that I valued about this retreat and so many things I will be taking forward: being given the opportunity to practise meditation multiple times through the day\, the teaching\, the peace\, the fellowship with others\, learning to train my mind.” \n\n\n\nThe School of Contemplative Life events should be understood as only providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. Many people have experienced improvements in general wellbeing through meditation practice. However\, if you suffer from any mental\, emotional or physical health conditions\, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you to attend an event with us\, make sure you always follow your medical practitioner’s advice and let us know in general terms without sharing specific details. \n\n\n\nEARLY BIRD RATE: £350 (standard room) or £380 (character room) if booked by 16th January 2026! Retreat price: £370 (standard room) or £400 (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\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/thejourneyintooneness/ CATEGORIES:Launde Abbey Retreats,Spiritual Practices,Wellbeing Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/School-of-Contemplative-Life-Into-the-Silent-Land-4-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260329T124500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260329T144500 DTSTAMP:20260226T123218Z CREATED:20260202T143502Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T123218Z UID:10000219-1774788300-1774795500@www.laundeabbey.org.uk SUMMARY:Sunday Carvery DESCRIPTION:Our delicious two-course Sunday carvery is priced at just £20.00 per person (£16.25 main course only). \n\n\n\nEnjoy a selection from our two-roast carvery (with vegetarian option)\, an array of mixed (homegrown when in season) vegetables\, a generous portion of cauliflower cheese and a large homemade Yorkshire pudding. All topped with Chef’s rich meat gravy (a vegetarian alternative 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 \n Sunday Lunch/Carvery – 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)DetailsSunday Lunch/Carvery 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 Submit \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/sunday-carvery-29-mar/ CATEGORIES:Sunday Lunches/Carvery ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Launde-Programme-Thumbnails-74-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR