Upcoming Events

Tues 28th - Sat 1st at  Barb Hudspith's Elmwood, Ontario

Sun 2nd  - Fri 7th at Tyndal University College and Seminary Toronto

Sat 8th - Wed 12th in Toronto:

           on Retreat with Green Witness Community,

           speaking at The Church of the Epiphany and St Mark

           visiting Jeremiah Community worship 'River'

Thurs 13th - Mon 17th Ottowa

Various events and meetings.

www.festivalofspirituality.org.uk

A talk, book launch, discussion and meditation on
Celebrating 1300 years of The Lindisfarne Gospels - 'the book that made Britain' (Sunday Times).

The Lindisfarne Gospels

            contain the earliest surviving translation of the Gospels into English
            are dedicated to St Cuthbert who established Edinburgh ’s first church nearby
            reveal an amazing blend of Scots, Saxon, Roman, Coptic and Muslim influences
            may be a first ‘manifesto’ of a truly British church.

Ray will

            tell the amazing story of the Gospels
            discuss how they may inform Scotland’s independence debate and inspire
            Christian-Muslim interface
            meditate on the portraits of the Four Gospel writers as archetypes of the
            Warrior, Magus, Lover and King
            sign copies of his new book The Lindisfarne Gospels available from Cornerstone             bookshop next door.

Following a fish and chip supper on Wednesday evening and media interviews on Thursday an exhibition opens on St. Aubins on the Hill followed by a film and supper evening.

Friday 20 September: Retreat Day with Ray Simpson in Fisherman's Chapel: 'Reclaiming the Soil of Wisdom' and evening worship concert,

Saturday 21 September: Teaching Day with Ray Simpson at Communicare Centre on Celtic Spirituality - growing Roots, Rhythms and Relationships. 10.0am - 3.30 pm.

Plus other workshops and an evening Romantic Comedy on The God Particle

Sunday 22 September 1030 Parish Eucharist at St. Brelades  Ray Simpson preaches.

Celtic Evening Prayer in Fisherman's Chapel 6.30 pm

Insights from Aboriginal, Celtic and Contemporary sources.
Led by Rev Ray Simpson and Matt Lamont of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, Australia.
Retreat price £180 (excludes B&B rates)

The Wisdom tradition with its roots in Hebrew Scripture, feminine images of the Divine and Christian mysticism, is largely neglected in mainstream Christianity though resonates with contemporary spiritual yearnings with its universal non-materialist themes, contemplative spirit and focus on ‘how to live’ rather than ‘what to believe’.  Last year the idea emerged of facilitating a 4-5 day retreat on Lindisfarne  as part of the annual retreat program in order to explore this further with a group of retreatants.  This is a rare opportunity to learn from Ray’s vast experience of Celtic spirituality and retreat leadership in an ecumenical environment and also for Matt to bring what he can to the topic of ‘wisdom’.  Matt has agreed that he will facilitate sessions in the spirit of a ‘novice practitioner’ on the Wisdom of Silence, Wisdom in Sacred Images, Wisdom of Grasstrees (Xanthorrea species) and Wisdom of the Circle.  Ray will bring material from the Celtic tradition focussing on Celtic symbols such as the Oak and notable Celtic Saints.  He suggests that together they model the Wisdom of Friendship and also where appropriate Matt will offer relevant Aboriginal insights and also draw from Quaker insights.  

(If anyone feels they would like financial assistance to help Matt in co facilitating this retreat, please let us know)

Led by Oyvind Borgso, an esteemed body prayer exercise master, and Ray Simpson.

Following an introduction to holistic Celtic Christian spirituality retreants will be introduced to gentle body prayer exercises, and to praying with the Four Archetypes of Warrior, Shaper, Lover and King/Queen.  There is mostly silence and a chance to have a personal spiritual direction session.