When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24: 30-32
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Cleopas and his friend were in shock and deep distress as they walked the Emmaus Road in the aftermath of Christ's crucifixion. In their grief at their loss of a friend and all their hopes they failed to recognise the stranger who fell in beside them to offer them guidance on the way. Whilst the Emmaus Road encounter is a post resurrection story it offers us a way in to considering where we find Jesus alongside us in whatever stage of our journey we are on. Join us this Lent as we seek to recognise His presence with us.
This Lent retreat day will be held in aid of two charities that see the value of encounter in different ways: ‘The Samaritans’ and ‘Embrace the Middle East’. There will be no set charge with attendees invited to contribute as much as they feel able to these charities.
Walking the Emmaus Road:
a Lenten path of encounter
A Lent retreat day with guided meditation, Christian mindfulness and creative spirituality.
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Saturday 22nd March 2025
10am-4pm
Sidford Methodist Church
with homemade hot vegetarian lunch and refreshments.
Attendees are invited to donate to the Samaritans and/or Embrace the Middle East
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Soul compass: seeking direction through God's creation
A wholeness and wellbeing outdoor retreat day with guided meditation, creative spirituality and the wisdom of Celtic Christianity.
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Saturday 21st June 2025
10am-4pm
Thomas Hall Forest School,
Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter
£40 to include hot vegetarian lunch cooked over the fire and refreshments.
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Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
excerpt from St. Patrick's Breastplate
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Our day will be themed around a ‘prayer in six directions’ (influenced by the 'encircling' wisdom of Celtic Christianity and Native American traditions) as we explore our inner world through connecting with God and the natural world around us.
Our setting for this outdoor wholeness and wellbeing retreat day is a haven on the edge of Exeter in what used to be a private arboretum. There will be time around the fire and amongst the trees and we will also share in fellowship with each other as we work together to cook our lunch over the flames.
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
Isaiah 40: 3-5
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Some Christians in Celtic communities used to celebrate the start of Advent on 15th November. They described Advent as ‘lesser Lent’, beginning 40 days before Christmas (including Sundays). This wholeness and wellbeing retreat day will give us a chance to pause and prepare our hearts and minds before the rush of December.
Alongside indoor reflections, if the weather is kind, there will be time spent around a fire circle overlooking the hills beyond the Hall, and opportunities for wandering and reflection on this beautiful edge of Dartmoor where you will find the atmospheric Bronze Age Scorhill Stone Circle.
Celtic Advent:
Preparing the Way
A wholeness and wellbeing retreat day with guided meditation, creative spirituality and the wisdom of Celtic Christianity.
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Saturday 15th November 2025
10am-4pm
Gidleigh Village Hall
£40 to include hot vegetarian lunch
and refreshments.