‘WALKING ON WATER’

(praying through art and colour)
June 21st-28th 2008
Led by Revd. Jessica Aidley. Fed by Liz Suter.

[download Information Leaflet .pdf file]

Colour, light and creativity are characteristics of God, and the gifts he gives us, and that's what this week is all about! We will use them, and the story of Jesus walking on water, as a springboard to a place beyond words where God can dialogue with us.
There is no need to be able to paint or draw in the conventional sense, because we will be using the materials in quite a different way. In fact, those who think they cannot draw or paint, and those who can, will find beautiful new ways of communicating with God. Apart from the first exploratory session, where we will share what we find out, all your artwork from the other sessions will be completely private to you unless you wish to share it.
We will be using a variety of media, including, sometimes, the island itself. All materials are supplied.
The art meditations will mostly be in silence, and in your own space, so that each person can be free from having to talk, and so able to listen to God. The thought of silence might be worrying to you, but those on the previous retreat came to value that time very much because they were so focused on what they were doing, and so excited by what God was showing them.
Outside of the silent times, there will be times of fellowship and sharing, as much as you wish to, and these are a very special part of the retreat for those of you who wish to join in. Alternatively you may find it best to spend most of your time on your own and that, also, is OK. Because of the size of the island there is plenty of space for solitary walking and thinking.
So, to sum up, this is a week about sharing in God's love, colour, light and creativity, having good home cooking, and being in a beautiful God-filled place, and above all, a week full of lovely surprises.
The retreat is held on Bardsey Island, and is run through the Carreg Trust.
The retreat will be based in Carreg House (see picture above).
Bardsey (Ynys Enlli in Welsh) is a very special island and has been used as a place of pilgrimage since the 5th century. It has a beautiful coast-line, with seals and a lot of birds and a bird observatory. There is also a hill from which there are lovely views.
There is a good map here :- www.bardsey.org/english/the_island/map.htm
Because the island itself is a ‘thin place’ you will need plenty of time to explore it and immerse yourself in its very special atmosphere, and this has been kept in mind during the planning of the retreat.
Booking
As numbers are extremely limited it is essential to book as early as possible.

For further information about the retreat please contact:- Jessica Aidley 01600713075 j.aidley@googlemail.com