Vanessa has qualifications in climatology, education, theology and leadership coaching. She has experience as a high school teacher, school chaplain, hospital chaplain, rector, and archdeacon, ministering across three dioceses.

Pre-COVID she played competition squash and is in need of re-establishing an exercise regime after a couple of injuries and health concerns.

Vanessa is married to Paul. She and Paul enjoy camping in national parks and taking photos of God's amazing creation.

They share their home with two rescue cats, Micah and Esther.

'Songs of Life and Ministry: A Journey through the Psalms'.

Vanessa has worked on the Psalms at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and has found them particularly helpful in life and ministry.

This theme develops Walter Brueggemann's schema of 'orientation - disorientation - new orientation' from his book 'Spirituality of the Psalms', applying it to life and ministry while also adding a fourth category - 'hope'.

The retreat will allow quiet space to reflect on how the Psalms relate to an array of circumstances and emotions we, and those around us, face in life. We will journey through the Psalms from celebrating the wonder of God's creation, through the times of despair and disillusionment, to a fresh understanding of God and of the hope we have in Christ.

Accomodation is available in the retreat house and monastery top floor. Accommodation is in ensuite bedrooms (limited number) or single bedrooms with a shared bathroom. All rooms are fitted with a vanity basin, desk, chair and reading lamp. Bed linen, towels and pillows are provided. COVID restrictions will be followed by retreat staff.

The cost for the three nights will be $390 (one night is $130) with shared bathroom.

The cost for the three nights in an ensuite room will be $450 (one night is $150).

Date

Monday 12 August to Thursday 15 August 2024

St Clement's Retreat & Conference Centre
Kalangan Road, Galong, NSW 2585

There are three payment options:

1. Credit Card - follow the secure payment prompts after your booking.
2. Direct Credit - Enter the Promotional Code 'Cash' when you come to the payment summary. This will reduce your checkout amount to $0. Then transfer your payment to BSB 032719, Account Number 124553 with the code 131 followed by your NAME as the reference.
3. Cash or cheque - Enter the Promotional Code 'Cash' when you come to the payment summary. This will reduce your checkout amount to $0. Then send or deliver your payment to Alison Payne at Level 4, 221 London Cct (GPO Box 1981) Canberra 2601.

(Please do not request an invoice be generated and sent to your parish, as this creates unnecessary work for the finance department, and delays payment, which is required for the Diocese to pay the venue.)

Contact Details

Polly Baker
polly.baker@anglicancg.org.au 
6245 7154