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January 2020
Individually Guided Retreat
A silent retreat with a 1:1 each morning with your spiritual guide for the week. An opportunity to reflect on how God is at work in your life. Starts 5pm on Monday, ends Friday after lunch. Clare is a Residentiary Canon at Newcastle Cathedral and Stephen is Priest in Charge of St Martin, Byker and St Anthony, Byker
Find out more »February 2020
Knitting and Crochet retreat
Come along for a chat and crafting, times of quiet and worship. There will be a swap-shop, rummage bin and informal skills-sharing. Early booking advised. Elizabeth is a popular and experienced workshop and retreat leader and her current ministry is as a hospital chaplain.
Find out more »Language Matters
A day with Kate Bruce for Preachers to reflect on their craft. Revd Kate Bruce is an RAF Chaplain. She was Deputy Warden and tutor in Homiletics at Cranmer Hall from 2013-18, and still teaches and researches in the area of preaching
Find out more »Centering Prayer
This workshop is for those who may already be practising Centering Prayer, and also for those who are drawn to silent prayer and would like to explore further. Centering Prayer prepares us to awaken to the gift of contemplation and to Rest in God. Mel is a priest in the Diocese of York. She leads Quiet days and provides spiritual accompaniment to individuals. Mel is the Regional Contact for Contemplative Outreach in North Yorkshire and the North East.
Find out more »March 2020
Silent Lent retreat: Through all the changing scenes
Join Bishop Mark as we reflect on lessons from the life of David as we journey through Lent.
Find out more »April 2020
Feed the Soul
Allow yourself time and space to nurture your soul in beautiful surroundings. Enjoy delicious fully vegan cuisine during this relaxing weekend. Meditation, yoga, exploring essential oils and more. 1-1 Treatments can be arranged. An additional night’s stay is available if you would like to stay a little longer after the retreat. Led by Fiona Cox. Both Fiona and Barbara are experienced practitioners in health and wellbeing.
Find out more »The Spirituality of the Psalms
The Psalms, which we often see as an intermission between two Sunday readings, have a more profound significance. They were, and still are, one of the foundations of Jewish spirituality. In this retreat we will explore how they can enliven our own devotional life and belief. John Bell is a member of the Wild Goose Resource Group and Iona Community. He is a world recognised hymn writer and broadcaster working for the renewal of congregational worship at grass roots level.
Find out more »Spring Ramble
Join us for a 6-8 mile gentle ramble around the countryside surrounding Shepherds Dene. Starting with a bacon butty at 9am, we will stop for a short eucharist before a packed lunch, finishing back at Shepherds Dene for afternoon tea. Jeremy Chadd is Vicar of St Chad’s Sunderland .
Find out more »May 2020
Godly Play Weekend
Time and space to reflect and explore, through the media of story, wondering, creative resources and silence. Trained spiritual direction available. Mary and Rachel are both trainers for Godly Play UK. For further details,contact Mary on cooper.mary@blueyonder.co.uk
Find out more »Knitting and Crochet retreat
Come along for a chat and crafting, times of quiet and worship. There will be a swapshop, rummage bin and informal skills-sharing. Starts 4pm Monday ending Thursday 4pm. Early booking advised. Elizabeth is a popular and experienced workshop and retreat leader; she works halftime as a hospital chaplain.
Find out more »June 2020
Clergy Spouses Silent Retreat
A chance for spouses of clergy to rest, reflect, worship and pray together on this silent retreat. Starts Monday 5pm ends Wednesday 4pm.
Find out more »Finding Value – for what I’m worth
A reflective retreat day in a week of anniversaries of ordination for many. We will consider our calling afresh in the light of the value of our ordinations. Revd Rachel Hudson is Advisor in Counselling and Wellbeing for Newcastle Diocese and passionate about helping others integrate their life and ministry in a healthy way.
Find out more »July 2020
Cross Stitch Week
The 25th year for this popular creative course. It is a great opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive and relaxing atmosphere. Suitable for beginners and the more experienced. Barbara is a long-established cross stitch designer and teacher based in Riding Mill.
Find out more »Art Week
Spend a relaxing week painting and drawing in and around the grounds of Shepherds Dene. Weather permitting, there will be a painting trip out to nearby Corbridge. This year, professional local artist Alan Reed will be in residence to give helpful advice and to support the week through prayer. Alan Reed is a watercolour artist. His paintings have been exhibited worldwide: in the UK, Italy, the US and Middle East.
Find out more »August 2020
Nurture the Spirit
Join us to explore spirituality and what it means to you personally. Another opportunity to enjoy delicious vegan cuisine. Take part in various exercises to identify what nurtures and lifts your own spirit. meditations, yoga and more. Ends Sunday 4pm. Led by Fiona Cox. Fiona and Barbara are experienced practitioners in health and well-being. 1-1 treatments can be arranged.
Find out more »Northern Saints Pilgrimage
Over four days of coach tours we visit Roman Wall country and Vindolanda, Lindisfarne and Bamburgh, Inner Farne and Beadnell, Bewcastle, Ruthwell and Hexham. In visiting these beautiful sacred sites we explore the early church in the North and its saints. There are linking talks and commentaries as we travel. All meals, including packed lunches, are provided and the price includes entry and boat fees. John and Gina McManners have led many pilgrimages in the North and in Scotland. John…
Find out more »A Week in the Country: Cathedrals and churches of the North East
Join us for a relaxing week in the country and visit England’s most northerly cathedrals of Carlisle, Durham and Newcastle. Revd Dr Sue Wilson will act as chaplain for the group. She is a theological educator and retired priest.
Find out more »September 2020
Autumn Ramble
Join us for a 6-8 mile gentle ramble around the countryside surrounding Shepherds Dene. Starting with a bacon butty at 9am, we will stop for a short eucharist before a packed lunch, finishing back at Shepherds Dene for afternoon tea. Jeremy Chadd is Vicar of St Chad’s Sunderland .
Find out more »October 2020
Knitting and Crochet retreat
Come along for a chat and crafting, times of quiet and worship. There will be a swapshop, rummage bin and informal skills-sharing. Starts 4pm Monday ending Thursday 4pm. Early booking advised. Elizabeth is a popular and experienced workshop and retreat leader; she works halftime as a hospital chaplain.
Find out more »The Theology of Priesthood
Austin Farrer once asked, ‘when we come down to the essentials what is a priest?’ During the day we will engage with this question drawing upon the rich theologies of our Anglican tradition and its liturgies. The Revd Dr Jennifer Cooper is Director of IME2 in the Dioceses of Newcastle and Durham and was for 10 years Academic Dean and Tutor in Theology at Mirfield.
Find out more »November 2020
‘Moving on in faith and love’
Sometimes it feels as if our faith is marking time, ok but not particularly exciting. In this week we'll be looking at how to go further and deeper in prayer, using the Bible, belonging to a church, and living well before God. We'll be using talks, stories, poetry, music, art and more. Bishop John Pritchard was Bishop of Jarrow and then Bishop of Oxford before retiring to North Yorkshire in 2014. He is now an Honorary Assistant Bishop in Durham…
Find out more »Our Events Programme can be downloaded here but you can also request a brochure and we will send it to you by post.