Retreats
Silent retreats are fallow time. There is something of 'stop the world and get off' about them. Time passes differently, and as your mind, body, will and spirit slow down, possibility expands. Tune in to what matters most, and dwell there for a while. From there, anything can happen.
I work as a guest director for established retreat houses- currently I am a regular guest on the teams at St. Beuno’s in Wales, and Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. You can find full details of their retreat programmes here:
https://www.pathwaystogod.org/org/st-beunos/retreats
https://www.mirfield.org.uk/retreats/
I also work on invitation at St Cuthman’s in Sussex, and in various locations overseas.
I offer bespoke quiet days, reflection days and retreats to organisations.
I am also currently prototyping Spirit Level Retreats, an experience of 3 or 5 days of fallow time for busy adults. This is a time of generative silence in beautiful environments, with creative resources, beautiful food and a time each day to talk with an experienced retreat guide. A kind of 'stop the world and get off' time, in an environment where that is all that is required of you. As the name 'Spirit Level' suggests, it's a place of re-balancing and finding equilibrium; allowing your core to settle back to centre. You allow the silence to enfold you. You treat yourself with kindness and generosity. What needs to come up, will.
Such retreat opportunities generally exist in religious contexts, where the days contain expectations and/ or disciplines. What I am offering is more bespoke to the individual – the focus is on freedom to be. It’s an environment of welcome, peace, beauty, safety and warmth.
Impact
"Sarah … is rich of tutoring and praying experiences. She gave me much inspiration and affirmation, the suggestions she gave me in every talking between us is so relevant and useful, I benefited from it a lot."
Retreatant 2, Far East
"I want to thank you for the gift of last week's Quiet Day. It was just brilliant from the welcome to the good-bye. I felt as if you all gave me a day to breathe in beauty and life through your care, the location, and the programme. It was so helpful. I went home encouraged deeply"
Social activist, Tofte Manor Quiet Day June 2017
"I really think Sarah is a wonderful spiritual director. She knows how to encourage people. She is capable of accompanying students, and is a very good listener. I also felt she’s very kind, and can guide students with different methods."
Retreatant 1, Far East