Come and retreat in the city. A Chester Retreat is a weekend of non-residential events and reflective space, inspired by where we are. Drop in, be inspired by resources for a do-it-yourself personal retreat, or book one or more of our workshops. Why not dip into what you would like to try?
Saturday 15th
10am – 3pm Cloister Room, Chester Cathedral Call in for free retreat resources to inspire your own retreat in the city.
10am – 3pm St Anselm’s Chapel, Chester Cathedral Call in for a quiet space in the city.
Two retreat workshops in 9 Abbey Square: please book direct with Retreat House Chester using our contact form. (If you think you haven't heard back from us, please check your junk email!)
10.30am – 1pm Mosaic: Inspired by Tradition
We will gather in the Cloister Room to begin by looking at the Victorian mosaics in Chester Cathedral: the marble mosaics in the nave and the Venetian glass mosaics on the high altar and in the St Erasmus Chapel. Inspired by the Cathedral mosaics, you will make two small mosaics, one glass and one marble. You will be able to take your mosaics away at the end of the workshop. This workshop is suitable for beginners Aleta Doran is a Chester-based mosaicist. Her work is inspired by the rich history of ecclesiastical mosaics and her personal faith. £20 including coffee, cake and two mosaicsTHIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
2pm – 4.30pm Noticing
Within this one word are the two strands for this afternoon: to notice and to sing - where 'sing' means giving expression in jottings and writing to what we notice (this is not a singing workshop!). Having started our quiet afternoon together with a selection of poems, there will be time to walk on the walls or elsewhere – when we will be listening to and reflecting on the different ways God is speaking to us through this encounter with the city. It is hoped that by noting down, even the simplest and smallest observations, we may later - when we come back together - be able to write our response to what we notice, our “song.” Avis Palmer tells stories through hymn writing and has a life-long enthusiasm for encouraging creative writing. £14 including tea and cake
Sunday 16
Take some time today to use the city reflectively - maybe with resources from Saturday to inspire you.
retreat workshop in 9 Abbey Square: please book direct with Retreat House Chester using our contact form. (If you think you haven't heard back from us, please check your junk email!)
1.30 - 4pm Contemplative Photography
Very often, in busy lives, we tend to focus on our pressing concerns and routines, looking for and seeking out only what we need to see. Heads down, rushing on, immersed in our thoughts, we often fail to stop and see what is around us. In this workshop, using photography as a contemplative practice, we will explore the ways in which this can help us to refocus and appreciate what is in front of us; to receive in the present moment, letting go of our preconceptions and judgements; and to become more open to “seeing” the world, life and God in new ways. This will not be a course on any technical aspects of photography and no experience or special equipment is needed: just bring something you can take photos with! Claire Egan is a tutor in theology and religious studies, with an interest in the ways in which photography can help us to refocus our vision and to see and appreciate life and the world around us from different perspectives. £14 including tea and cake
Access: There is level access to the Cathedral Cloister Room, but please be aware that there are a few steps into the building at 9 Abbey Square. Please let us know if you have access requirements.
