Vaughan Park Retreats Programme 2010/2011
Find below a list of the Retreats currently programmed for 2010.
All day Retreats for 2010 will be $30 per person, which includes catering and a welcome to stay on for quiet time and continued reflection until 5pm.
Registrations (preferably with payment) are required 1 week before the event. To register, you may use the contact on website, email reception@vaughanpark.org.nz or telephone 473 2600.
For full details of each retreat please scroll down below the summary list.
Summary List
- Retreats with Jenny Johnson
The Monastic Hours – Saturday 6 March
Poetry a Doorway to Wholeness - Saturday 24th July
Everyday Sacred – Saturday 6th November - Retreats with Joy McCormack
Walking a Sacred Path ….The history and Spirituality of the Labyrinth – Saturday 26th June
Walking a Sacred Path .... The history and Spirituality of the Labyrinth - Saturday 13th November - Retreats with Carolyn Kelly
Consider the Lilies': Autumn Reflections on Nature's Icons
This series runs for five Saturdays (February – July) 9.30am -12.30pm - Thinking about God: Responses to the New Atheists
Vaughan Park Retreat Centre, Saturday 29th May, 9am - 3.30pm - Retreats with Brother Christopher John SSF
- Led Franciscan Conversations – Wednesday 15 -17th September
- 'Shadow Dancing: Living with the Dark Side' Contemplative Network
A 4 Day Silent Centering Prayer/Meditation Retreat with Christopher & Heather Page
10.00am Friday 5th - 4.00pm Monday 8th November 2010.
2011 - Retreats with Jenny Johnson
Sacred Rhythms of the Day - Weekend Retreat - 9am 30th April - 12pm 1st May, 2011
The Gift of Gratitude - Day Retreat - 23rd July 2011 9am - 4pm
Writing for Well-Being - Day Retreat - 29th October 2011 9am - 4pm
- St Chad's Silent 3-day Directed Retreat - Sunday 17th - Wednesday 20th July, 2011
Running concurrently with the 7-day retreat. - St Chad's Silent 7-day Directed Retreat - Sunday 17th - Sunday 24th July, 2011
For detailed information on each retreat see below.
Forthcoming Retreats
With Jenny Johnson
Saturday 6th November
Everyday Sacred
“The great lesson from the true mystics is that the sacred is in the ordinary. It is to be found in one's daily life… and in one's backyard.” - Abraham Maslow.
Finding the sacred dimension in our daily lives requires being attentive to the world around us and to the presence of God in it. This will be a time to reflect on the everyday epiphanies and sacred moments in our ordinary days.
Please bring writing materials – pen and paper or journal
Time: 9.00am – 4pm
Cost: $30 – includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Venue: Margaret Vaughan Cottage
With Joy McCormack
Saturday 13th November
Walking a Sacred Path ….The history and Spirituality of the Labyrinth
To walk a sacred path is to discover our inner sacred space. The origins of labyrinths are lost in the mists of time, but for over four thousand years they have been part of almost every religious tradition. An early Christian labyrinth with the words “Sancta Eclesia” at the centre was found in Algeria in the fourth century. Came and explore this ancient aid to spiritual journey.
Time: 9.00am – 4pm
Cost: $30 – includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Venue: Thomas Vaughan Meeting Room
With Brother Christopher John SSF
September 15 -18th
Led Franciscan Conversations.
Informal sessions at Vaughan Park, led by Brother Christopher John SSF
St Francis and St Clare lived 800 years ago in Italy but their lives and message still attract and inspire many today.
I believe that Francis and Clare of Assisi, and those who followed them, have a message which still speaks to us. As a Franciscan brother I have a particular interest in exploring this message and invite you to attend all (or any) of the following sessions.
There will be opportunities for discussion in these sessions and of course informally at other times.
Wednesday September 15th.
Evening Session: "The Assisi of Francis"
An informal evening session, after dinner. An introduction to the life of Francis, with some prayer and reflection inspired by Assisi. Concluding with compline.
Thursday September 16th.
Morning Session: Introduction to Clare.
Clare wrote very little but her letters to Sister Agnes of Prague offer an insight into her life and spirit - and a challenge for us in our own lives today.
Afternoon Session: Francis and Poverty.
Francis rejected personal ownership. What can we learn from his radical step of dependence on God?
Friday September 17th
Morning Session: Francis and the Cross
Francis heard the voice of Christ through the San Damiano Cross, and met Christ in the leper. How do we see the fact of Christ?
Afternoon Session: Francis and Creation
Francis is known for his love for creation. Later Franciscans further developed his insights and help us think how we can live today in a right relationship with the created world.
Time: Morning Sessions: 9.30 - 11.30
Afternoon Sessions: 2 - 4pm
Evening Session: 7 - 8.30pm
You can come for any or all of these sessions.
If you require meals or accommodation please book in advance by emailing reception@vaughanpark.org.nz or ph: 09 473 2600
Please see "Venue: for accommodation and meal rates.
If you wish to make a donation to Br Christopher John then that is up to you.
For further programme details please contact Br Christopher John: christopherjohnssf@gmail.com
with Contemplative Network
'SHADOW DANCING: LIVING WITH THE DARK SIDE'
A 4 DAY SILENT CENTERING PRAYER/MEDITATION RETREAT
With Christopher & Heather Page
A 4 DAY SILENT CENTERING PRAYER/MEDITATION RETREAT
With Christopher & Heather Page
Retreat Dates: 10.00am Friday 5th—4.00pm Monday 8th November 2010
Venue: Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre
Long Bay, North Shore, Auckland http:www.vaughanpark.org.nz/
Christopher & Heather have both trained with Contemplative Out Reach as teachers of Centering Prayer and are Retreat Leaders with the Contemplative Society in Canada. Christopher is the rector of St Philips Anglican Church in Victoria, Canada and a respected writer and speaker with a special interest in the work of Thomas Merton and the lives of the Desert Fathers. Together they share a deep commit-ment to the Christian contemplative tradition.
Refer to http://www.contemplative.org/others.html for more information.www.contemplative.org.nz
This retreat will provide instruction in and the opportunity to consolidate the how to of Centering Prayer/Meditation as well as incorporating teaching sessions based on Christo-pher's book , Shadow Dancing: Living with the Dark Side‟:
Following is Christopher's description of what he will offer us.
“Life is an intricate, sometimes painful dance. It does not come pack-aged with neatly orchestrated choreography. But there are guidelines along the way. The Christian Gospels bear witness to the wisdom embod-ied in Jesus, particularly in the narrative of his temptations in the wilder-ness. In this story we face the dark side of human nature and discover practices that open us to a deeper awareness of God‟s presence in all of life. In looking deeply at these Scriptures in a meditation environment, we will discover the strength and depth that was embodied in the person of Jesus. We will find that we are empowered to live in new and healing ways in relationship to all of God‟s creation.”
Cost: $450.00 includes full accommodation
Deposit $100 with Registration – not refundable after 30th September 2010
Balance Due 20th October 2010
Deposit $100 with Registration – not refundable after 30th September 2010
Balance Due 20th October 2010
Enquiries & Registration to:
Tony Silvester-Clark
Email: tony.s-c@clear.net.nz
Ph: 09 833 9853
2011
With Jenny Johnson
30th April - 1st May 2011
Sacred Rhythms of the Day - Weekend Retreat
We need to practice a new art of attention to the inner rhythm of our days and lives. - John O'Donohue
For centuries, monastic communities have organized their lives around the Liturgy of the Hours - regular prayer at set times of the day. For those of us outside the monastery it can be more difficult to etablish and maintain a sense of sacred rhythm in our days.
You are welcome to join us for a time of creative discovery in the beautiful surroundings of Vaughan Park. Using poetry and monastic Hours as a framework, we will find ways to create contemplative space in our lives. The emphasis will be on the 'presence' of the hours, rather than traditional texts. There will be time and space to reflect and write, and to create your own tiny Book of Hours. Please bring writing materials - pen and paper or journal.
Time: 9am Saturday - 12pm Sunday.
Cost: $100
23rd July 2011
The Gift of Gratitude - Day Retreat
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. - Henry Ward Beecher
Recognizing blessings and expressing gratitude have long been an important part of most sacred traditions. More recently, research has shown that the benefits of a gratitude practice can include improved emotional and physical health as well.
Come and join us for a relaxed day to discover how gratitude can enhance your life, bringing increased fulfillment and joy. The day will include quiet space, journal writing, poetry and collage. Please bring pen and paper or journal.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $40 (includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas)
29th October 2011
Writing for Well-Being - Day Retreat
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. - William Wordsworth
Journal writing is a valuable way to bring inner balance and well-being to our busy lives. Writing helps us connect with the stillness within so we can gain clarity and feel refreshed and restored.
Join us for a nurturing day of creative renewal in the beautiful atmosphere of Vaughan Park. You will receive ideas, writing techniques and prompts (including poetry) to get you started or enhance your current practice. Beginners and experienced journal writers are welcome. Please bring pen and paper or journal.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $40 (includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas)
July 17-20, 2011
St Chad's Silent 3-day Directed Retreat - Sunday 17th - Wednesday 20th July, 2011
Running concurrently with the 7-day retreat.
Venue: Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre, Long Bay. Leaders: Rev. Bridge, Marion Baker.
Cost: registration $30 (non refundable) + $275.
Enquiries to St Chad's Anglican Church, Meadowbank (09) 521 5013. Email: marion@stchads.org.nz
St Chad's Silent 3-day Directed Retreat - Sunday 17th - Wednesday 20th July, 2011
Running concurrently with the 7-day retreat.
Venue: Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre, Long Bay. Leaders: Rev. Bridge, Marion Baker.
Cost: registration $30 (non refundable) + $275.
Enquiries to St Chad's Anglican Church, Meadowbank (09) 521 5013. Email: marion@stchads.org.nz
St Chad's Silent 7-day Directed Retreat - Sunday 17th - Sunday 24th July, 2011
Venue: Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre, Long Bay. Leaders: Rev. Bridge, Marion Baker.
Cost: registration $50 (non-refundable) + $645. If cost is a problem, please contact us.
Enquiries to St Chad's Anglican Church, Meadowbank (09) 521 5013. Email: marion@stchads.org.nz
Retreat details
The three-day and seven-day retreats run concurrently. They are fully silent retreats and are designed to meet your personal needs for time out with God and to assist you in growing in your relationship with Him. Both are directed retreats, which means that you will meet each day with a spiritual director.
The retreats will include
- Daily Holy Communion
- Contemplative worship each evening
- Daily spiritual direction
- Reflective input from the leaders
- Plenty of space and quiet for praying, resting, walking, sitting, reading, thinking, sleeping
For more information please email Marion Baker: marion@stchads.org.nz