It isn't always possible to go away to one of the beautiful retreat centres (like TV's The Monastery) up and down the country to take time out of a busy life - to 'make a retreat'. Yet all of us need to give ourselves time and space to reflect on the experiences of our life, our attitude to God, events and other people. UN General Secretary Dag Hammarskjöld wrote that 'an unreflected life is a wasted life'.

An Open Door Retreat is one way of providing the 'tools' for this essential reflection and evaluation. A 'retreat' made both alone and with others - in an everyday context.

This form of 'retreat' was created by two Sisters of the Cenacle, a Roman Catholic community, in 1980 in response to the image in Revelation 3:20
 

"Behold, I am standing at the door knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meals side by side with him."

And St John's is offering you this opportunity in January 2009!

What is involved?

A 2 hour session once a week for 9 consecutive weeks beginning on the 19th January 2009. We meet together with others who are making the same commitment; a commitment to 15 minutes of personal reflective prayer each day and to sharing something of that experience of prayer with the group.

The weekly sessions are led by a team of two people who have both made such a retreat and have been trained in leading people in prayer. They too are committed to making the retreat with the group endeavouring to be in touch with all that is happening to as to lead sensitively. They share with the group from their own personal experience and the challenge of living according to the Gospel values of Christ. The team undertake to be available and on call to help, to listen and to encourage.

Is this type of retreat for me?
The session in the first week is an introductory one and during the seven days that follow reflection and thought can sometimes tell a person that this sort of commitment is not for them at this time - and that's fine! The very purpose of that first week is to give everyone time to reflect and the freedom not to continue if they feel it isn't right for them.

Where would an Open Door take place?
A One of the original purposes of the retreat was to provide for the need to take the retreat to where people are wanting it. So it is the team who travel.
As well as the team being committed to sharing from their own experience much of the material for prayerful reflection during each week is also given out in written form. Those making the retreat go home armed with handouts - scripture texts and other writings to ponder.

iIs there a charge?
Yes. A contribution is asked to cover the cost of materials and travel expenses.

What are the benefits?

Thousands of people (including several who attended a previous retreat at St John's) have found them of tremendous value resulting in a deepening of prayer and a growth in awareness of God's presence and love in our ordinary world. The sharing of experiences of prayer with others has been a source of new insight and inspiration.

Want to know more?
See Wilson Haagens on Sunday morning who is acting as the information link for this event or email your question to the Administrator.
 

You might like to check out the Retreat Association, an ecumenical group that aims to foster the growth of the spiritual life by the practise of retreats.