The Treasure of Light in Wintertime
Further information about the weekend
“To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.”
Wendell Berry from “To Know the Dark”, Farming: A Handbook, (Harcourt
Brace, 1970)
“Between the dawn and dark of our being, let us be brave and loving. In our
little passage through the light let us sustain and forward the human venture –
in gentleness, in service and in thought.”
Carl Seaburg
This weekend retreat invites participants to get in touch with their creative and
spiritual selves, make connections with others and the world and gain insights
into themselves.
We will be exploring themes of light in the darkness and the ancient time of
Advent. The weekend will include a range of activities and rituals that will help
us reflect on our personal relationship with light and darkness and gain insights
to take into our daily lives. We will draw from a number of different traditions
and perspectives in looking into these themes. There will be opportunities for
art-making, meditation, craft and play. We will have time to work individually
and collaboratively. We will strike a balance between creative challenges,
silence, free time and time for fellowship.
Hilfield Friary is a community and retreat centre inhabited and hosted by the
Franciscans. It nestles on the edge of the Dorset Downs and is surrounded by
trees and open spaces.
For more information please go to: http://www.hilfieldfriary.org.uk/
The weekend includes all vegetarian meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch.
All art materials and other resources are provided. No experience of art making
is necessary. The weekend is open to all fellow travelers – those of faith and
those of no faith or religion. The retreat will involve some outdoor work if the
weather permits but we won’t be going far from the buildings. Let us know if
you have any mobility issues. Waterproof clothing and sturdy boots or trainers
are recommended especially if you want to go for walks in your free time.
The retreat will be led by John Harley and Sue Nyirenda.
John Harley is a dramatherapist, art teacher and Unitarian minister. He has
been facilitating creative workshops for nearly twenty years and is the Chair of
the Art and Spirituality Network, an organisation that offers opportunities for
mindful creativity in safe, supportive group settings. He is fascinated by the
interplay and dialogue between what some of us call spirituality - or
exploration of the beyondness and mystery in this life - and our expressive,
artistic, intuitive selves. He believes that when we give ourselves permission to
play, take creative risks and get in touch with our bodies we can access a
natural emotional intelligence and a sense of wellbeing and groundedness. He
lives in London.
Sue Nyirenda runs her own artistic photography and design business just
outside Canterbury - Lovelli Photos. Previously she was a trainer and then a
teacher, latterly involved with Steiner Education, which is what brought her to
Canterbury. Currently, she's very involved with Transition Canterbury, and in
the process of setting up a Timebank in her local villages. Her heart is focused
on inner growth and building community and using her intuition when she can
access it.
Every care will be taken to make activities safe and restorative – yet working
creatively with others can have the potential to bring up powerful emotional
material for people. John is a trained therapist though the retreat is not
essentially offered as therapy – therefore participants are encouraged to take
responsibility for their own emotional processes.
Arrivals from 4pm on Friday, departures from 3pm on Sunday.
For travel advice see the Hilfield website. For those who want to be picked up
from Sherborne station by Hilfield staff take the 13.20 from Waterloo – which
gets into Sherborne at 15.32 where you will be met. A shuttle will also enable
you to catch the 15.38 from Sherborne on Sunday afternoon, arriving at
Waterloo at 17.59. A £5 donation for Hilfield is requested for each journey.
Please let us know if you want to be met. Please check train times as they may
change.
Please note – almost all rooms are single or twin non ensuite. The two ensuite
rooms will be primarily reserved for those with mobility needs. If they are not
required then participants can upgrade nearer the time. There is an early bird
bookings policy – 10% reduction for early bookings. See booking form.
For more information or questions please email John at
johnnigelharley@yahoo.co.uk