Dear Friends,
January has flown by and we can hardly believe it’s already February. We were closed to guests for most of last month, which was just as well seeing as we spent most of the time feeling like we’re living on a building site…but on the plus side, we now have a sparkling new septic tank and drainage system! We also put a new kitchen into Cuthbert Lodge in preparation for a fourth long term community member (who we’re looking forward to meeting when the time is right!)
After a few weeks of ‘just us’ it has been such a joy to start welcoming guests back this past week or so. It’s why we’re here! We hope you’ll be able to join us at some point, either on one of our programmes or just to come and ‘be’. There are more details about events and availability on our website, but here are the headlines…
Fri 25th – Sun 27th February Bread weekend (full with waiting list)
Mon 14th – Fri 18th March Individually Guided Retreat
Thurs 14th – Mon 18th April Easter Weekend
Mon 25th – Fri 29th April Gardening Retreat
Mon 9th – Sun 15th May St Hilda’s Pilgrimage (full with waiting list)
Mon 25th – Fri 29th July Walking week
Fri 26th – Mon 29th August Bank Holiday Weekend
Mon 19th – Fri 23rd Sept Individually Guided Retreat
Mon 10th – Fri 14th Oct Art Retreat (‘The Art of Letting Go’)
Mon 28th Nov – Fri 2nd Dec Advent Retreat
Thurs 29th Dec – Mon 2nd Jan New Year Break
As the year turns towards the light, this comes with our best wishes and blessings for the year ahead. Happy Candlemas!
Love Jackie, Michyla and Paul
Candlemas Prayer
I left my candle burning. Lit from light
Borrowed from another, it stood there
Witness to Christ, Light of the world;
Prayer that light would overcome darkness.
As I left, another lit a candle from my light,
Dispelling gloom with added strength.
Who knows how many joined their light to those,
Or drew fresh courage from their company;
Who knows how many took a step, drawn by the
Light of Christ from darkness to new life?
Lord Christ, set me on fire.
Burn from me all that dims your light,
Kindle an answering flame in lives around;
That darkness may be driven back,
And glory stream into this world,
Transforming it with love.
Ann Lewin, from Candles and Kingfishers © Ann Lewin, 1997
