2017

In this troubled world, what is in our hearts can become paralysed by fear. The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says: “We all experience fear, but if we can look deeply into our fear, we will be able to free ourselves from its grip and touch joy.” Bring yourself as you are to share your wisdom and life experiences, to take time to slow down and reflect on what really matters through gentle conversation, the stillness of meditation, the movement of walking and other ways chosen by you.

How best shall we live in troubled times and yet still find joy in living? One answer is: with great good care – for ourselves, for one another and for our wider world. Our group will focus on simple practices of self-care, movement and voice-work based awareness exercises – practices we can take back to our everyday lives and to our Unitarian communities. We’ll explore the small details, the simple tasks, the gentle steps that bring us joy in life and so strengthen us for work in the world. Our time together will be a retreat, a much needed space to re-discover the pleasures of being alive.

‘Free us to walk your path with joy’ (Neil Douglas-Klotz) What path is this….? Whose path is it…..? How am I freed to walk this path….? We invite you to bring an openness and willingness to know yourself and God more deeply by exploring whatever this path is, or might be, for you. Each session will offer a focus designed to facilitate your own inner exploration of the prayerful plea "Free us to walk your path with joy". We will give each other space and time for quiet reflection, sharing, listening, discerning, responding creatively and the renewing of commitment.

‘We may have good intentions to reflect on the many layers of our lives, but the busyness of our existence tends to take priority over quiet time. Typically we reflect on issues by letting them rattle around in our heads… We need a clear and deliberate process for thinking through our experiences – one that enables us to look at life through the lens of faith.’ - Abigail Johnson.

This group - something different to the Summer School norm - requires some extra commitment prior to arrival and numbers will be limited; participants will be required to prepare a structured personal reflection / journaling on an issue in their own life or the life of the world (guidance will be sent) – looking at real events through a series of questions, designed to help individuals consider situations ‘through the lens of faith'. All group members will need to be prepared to share and explore further these theological reflections together, with care, in a guided way, when we get to Hucklow.

This year at Summer School, we will be thinking about a home from home. We'll be looking at where we have come from and where we are today - both in a practical sense of location and, for the older ones of the group, within ourselves. Over the course of the week we will be attempting to make a model/picture of our own home settings along with a group model of our home for the week - The Nightingale Centre. If you could bring some cardboard boxes with you that may be helpful but don't worry if you can't. Also one day in the week, we will be visiting the woodland so please bring clothes you don't mind getting muddy and sensible footwear for the walk too. We look forward to meeting you and having a fun filled week together.