A RELAXING RETREAT EXCLUSIVELY FOR DIOCESE of CHICHESTER CLERGY

Time to step back from parish demands for a day to reflect and rest. With facilitated conversations, creative input, opportunities for prayer, and options for both solitude, and relationship building; in the beautiful rural setting of Ashburnham Place Retreat Centre , East Sussex, with its array of indoor and outdoor spaces to be enjoyed.

Retreat Hosts: Laura Steven, DoC Head of Wellbeing for Clergy, and Paul Wenham, General Director, Ashburnham Christian Trust.

Paul has led various organisations and social enterprises over the years and is a firm believer that all people are fearfully brilliant but are sometimes unaware of that fact.  As a keen long-distance runner he enjoys the outdoors, endurance and quiet adventures.  

Laura is an experienced psychotherapist, trainer and facilitator. She is passionate about life-long learning, bringing people together and discovering connections, stories and gifts.

During the morning

Upon arrival (9am-9:45) you will be welcomed at Reception with refreshments and given a program of options for the day ahead. Whilst we wait for everyone to arrive, you can mingle, take a solitary walk, or settle into the Great Hall where they will be live background music. At 10am (prompt!), Laura and Paul will provide a gathering welcome and facilitate thoughtful, participatory reflections, to provide impetus for your day of retreat. 

Lunch

Take your seat and relax with snacks, whilst each table is invited to the servery to collect a main course and dessert. Lunch will be healthy and sourced as locally as possible. You will be asked to indicate allergies/intolerances when you book your ticket. (At previous events people have found lunch satisfying, but keep in mind, you can also visit the Orangery Team Room on-site to purchase sandwiches, cakes, or a cream tea). 

Afternoon Options

1. Be the recipient of a Sound Portrait, an instrumental prayer improvised live, and digitally recorded just for you by Epiphany Music NB Limited places, sign up on the day!

2. Receive 1:1 prayer ministry in St Peter's Church, offered by retired clergy. 

3. Attend an Introduction to the Enneagram Workshop with one of the founders of Enneagram Global

4. Join a campfire circle or take a guided walk with an experienced facilitator

5. Enjoy walks around the lakes, the sensory prayer garden and working kitchen garden.

6. Quietly wander the paths through ancient English woodland. Discover the cedar-clad ‘folly’ where you can sit & pray

7. Look out for wildlife: deer, buzzards, red kites, woodpeckers, marsh tits and fire crests

8. Settle on one of the many benches with scenic views

9. Have an afternoon cream-tea in the Orangery Tea Room (self-funded)

10. Play and pray creatively with art and writing supplies provided.

11. Visit the on-site gifts- and bookshop.

Concluding Together

We will conclude all together in the Great Hall to share the day’s blessings, offer thanks and prayer. The event will be finished by 4:00pm. 

Tickets: *£10 EARLY BIRD*; £15 after Aug 26th.

Tickets include everything indicated above. Please note, this event is EXCLUSIVELY for Chichester Diocese Clergy in active ministry.

Individual Needs

Please indicate any dietary requirements, allergies, and access needs in the booking form (next step). Refreshments are provided throughout the day.

Travel information:

Address: Ashburnham Place Retreat Centre, Kitchenham Road, East Sussex, TN33 9NF.

By car

We recommended self-organised car-sharing with DoC clergy in your area. Ashburnham Place is appprox. 30min+ from Hastings, 1hr+ from Brighton, 1hr15min+ from Crawley, and 1hr45min Chichester, obviously rush hour traffic can make this longer. PLEASE PLAN JOURNEY IN ADVANCE. Always use the main entrance found on the A271 ​​​Kitchenham Road, then follow the driveway around the estate to the main car park.

(We acknowledge this is a long way to come from the west of the diocese, as is Chichester Cathedral from the east! After on-going research into venues Ashburnham Place continues to meet the highest number of our requirements). 

By rail

Battle Station is about 5 miles and Bexhill Station is about 7 miles from Ashburnham Place. Taxis are available outside both stations and take around 20min (ask to be taken to Ashburnham Place RECEPTION, not the main gate!).

Date

Location

Get directions

Ashburnham Place
Battle, Sussex TN33 9NF

Contact Event Organiser