The words of the Jesus Prayer are simple: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

But the practice of praying these few words has sustained a tradition of eastern Orthodox prayer, meditation, and theology for over a millennium and has helped shape and deepen the spiritual lives of countless Christians – Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic, from east and west.

In this retreat we’ll meditate together on this ancient prayer, discover something of its history and spiritual value, learn about the use of komboskinoi or prayer ropes, and – of course! – practice praying the Jesus Prayer together, both in silence and aloud, with others and alone.

Prayer ropes will be available for use during the retreat. If you already have a rope, bring that along too! And if you want your own (inexpensive) rope, Iconostasi are a superb Greek supplier – although you’ll have to be patient, as delivery takes a little while.

This retreat will be led by The Revd Chris Webb, Deputy Warden of Launde Abbey.

Chris Webb is an Anglican priest, author, speaker and teacher dedicated to helping people experience a richer walk with God by growing in prayer and the spiritual life. He has ministered in a wide variety of contexts: as president of Renovaré, a spiritual formation ministry in the USA; as parish priest in Welsh farming communities and steelworking towns; and even in a church for the homeless. Chris is the author of two books: The Fire of the Word (2011) and God-Soaked Life (2017).

Retreat price: £340 (standard room) or £370 (character room)
EARLY BIRD RATE: £320 (standard room) or £350 (character room) if booked by 20th November 2023!
Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by arriving early.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

St Clare tells us to ‘gaze upon the Lord.’ If we want to know what God like, then we simply need to look at Christ, for ‘Christ is the image of the invisible God.’ One way of thinking about prayer is consciously turning aside from our ‘busy-ness’ to look God-wards, for in seeing God, we are changed.

During our time together we shall be reflecting on what it might mean to allow ourselves space both to look towards God and to truly know that in the same moment, God looks upon us. Engaging with this dynamic of love that both affirms us at a very deep level whilst challenging us to become more Christlike, how are we being called to reflect ‘the face of love’ in the world?

Based around the framework of worship at Launde, and input from Sr Rachel, the retreat will offer time for individual reflection and silence.

This retreat will be led by Sister Rachel Overton. Sr Rachel is a solitary religious now living in North Lincolnshire. She has long experience of offering spiritual direction and leading retreats and currently is training in iconography.

Her website is at www.anchorhold.co.uk

Retreat price: £315 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £295 if you pay in full before 10th September 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by leaving later.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

This retreat is now fully booked.  If you wish to be placed on the Waiting List, please complete the form below and the booking team will contact you.

HAVE YOU BEEN STRUGGLING SINCE THE DEATH OF YOUR LOVED ONE?

Come 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 life-changing loss. 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 candlelighting remembrance. This is a gentle retreat with a Christian perspective, sensitively led by Abi and John May, suitable for those who have lost a husband or wife, children or other close family members, or who have suffered multiple losses.

Abi was recently featured on BBC Songs of Praise presented from Launde Abbey.  If you wish to review the programme please follow the link “Songs of Praise – Faith and Grief” to the BBC iPlayer.

Abi May

Abi Abi 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 are held in locations throughout the UK as well as online.

Quotes from previous retreats run by Abi:

• “The content of the bereavement sessions was excellent and the approach varied, interactive and all very clearly presented.”
• “I thought Abi led the sessions with sensitivity and compassion.”
• “This was a first class retreat which I found extremely helpful.”
• “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.”

Retreat price: £325 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £305 if you pay in full before 7th May 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by arriving early.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

This retreat is now fully booked.

Blessed to be a Blessing‘ explores how the God of blessing created us to be channels of blessing to people and places, in every place where we are. The retreat will explore the means, disciplines and resources that help us to be people of benediction whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves.

This retreat will be led by Roy Searle.

Roy is one of the founders of the Northumbria Community, is a past President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and teaches at Cranmer Hall, St. John’s College Durham and Spurgeons College, London. A popular conference speaker, writer, leadership and pioneer mentor and spiritual director, Roy is passionate about encouraging people to love God, listen well, think deeply, live authentically and generously. He is married to Shirley and lives in their beloved Northumberland. They have four children and eight grandchildren.

Retreat price: £440 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £420 if you pay in full before 20th September 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by leaving later.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

This retreat is now fully booked. If you’re interested in joining a waitlist (in case places become available) complete the form below.

The words of the Jesus Prayer are simple: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

But the practice of praying these few words has sustained a tradition of eastern Orthodox prayer, meditation, and theology for over a millennium and has helped shape and deepen the spiritual lives of countless Christians – Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic, from east and west.

In this retreat we’ll meditate together on this ancient prayer, discover something of its history and spiritual value, learn about the use of komboskinoi or prayer ropes, and – of course! – practice praying the Jesus Prayer together, both in silence and aloud, with others and alone.

Every person attending the retreat will be given a prayer rope hand made in Greece to use while praying. If you already have a rope, bring that along too!

This retreat will be led by The Revd Chris Webb, Deputy Warden of Launde Abbey.

Chris Webb is an Anglican priest, author, speaker and teacher dedicated to helping people experience a richer walk with God by growing in prayer and the spiritual life. He has ministered in a wide variety of contexts: as president of Renovaré, a spiritual formation ministry in the USA; as parish priest in Welsh farming communities and steelworking towns; and even in a church for the homeless. Chris is the author of two books: The Fire of the Word (2011) and God-Soaked Life (2017).

Retreat price: £315 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £295 if you pay in full before 1st July 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by arriving early.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

An aquarium is filled with water, and a solarium is filled with sunlight. A Contemplarium is a place filled with contemplative silence.

Many of us experience a longing for a richer life of prayer, for the contemplative experience of dwelling in God’s presence, loving and being loved. We resonate with the words of Richard Foster when he writes that “the desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people” – and we want to discover those depths for ourselves.

During the Contemplarium retreat we’ll immerse ourselves in brief meditations on scripture, in simple prayer drawing in echoes of ancient chant, and in generous opportunities for silence and stillness.

While plenty of space and time for silence will be provided on this retreat, the silence is never compulsory – you can dip in and out as you need. So this is an ideal retreat both for beginners to silent retreats and for experienced retreatants.

This retreat will be led by The Revd Chris Webb, Deputy Warden of Launde Abbey.

Chris Webb is an Anglican priest, author, speaker and teacher dedicated to helping people experience a richer walk with God by growing in prayer and the spiritual life. He has ministered in a wide variety of contexts: as president of Renovaré, a spiritual formation ministry in the USA; as parish priest in Welsh farming communities and steelworking towns; and even in a church for the homeless. Chris is the author of two books: The Fire of the Word (2011) and God-Soaked Life (2017).

Retreat price: £295 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £275 if you pay in full before 31st January 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by staying on after the retreat.  Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.