Retreats

Will a retreat at Sullington suit you?

In a busy world that is rarely ‘off’, the sense of place, peace and beauty in this ancient hamlet and the countryside surrounding it is really rewarding.   Sullington is an ancient medieval settlement, tucked quietly into the north side of the South Downs. The lovely Saxon building of St Mary’s, Sullington, is a C of E parish church but everyone is welcome to this retreat, of any denomination or none. The yew tree, dated as over 1300 years old, is a tangible link to a distant age. It conveys a sense of the continuum of time and connections to the past and to the future, offering a source of strength now. Friendly hospitality and comfortable accommodation in the beautiful South Downs provides an excellent setting for companionable quiet time to retreat, reflect and rest.

Sullington is for those who seek space and time apart, an opportunity for you to lay aside the preoccupations of day-to-day living, so you may be inwardly still to think and feel. These are not silent retreats; we hope you will find quiet companionship with other retreatants and members of St Mary’s. The pace of life in the 21st century means it can be hard to find to ‘Give God a Chance’ but if you are looking for breathing space in the hubbub of life we hope our retreat will help.

We offer spiritual thoughtfulness talks, Iona communion in the Saxon church and optional extra sessions of painting, walking and yoga against the backdrop of the South Downs. If you wish to come simply to rest and reflect you need not attend talks, services or activities. We hope a spiritual advisor will be available.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is offered in five single storey cottages, Byre Cottages, next to the church. Full board is offered: self-catering breakfast is provided in the cottages and delicious home cooked meals are provided communally in adjacent barn. Tea and coffee facilities available in cottages throughout the retreat. Tea and coffee will be served in the barn during the day.

Costs:

Sept 2017

		Sept 2017
Cottage	Your own cottage	Your own room in shared cottage	Your own room in shared cottage	A shared room in a shared cottage
	(en suite bathroom)	(shared bathroom)	(en suite bathroom)	(shared bathroom)
1 (one double room)	£300.00 *
2 (one double/one twin)		£200.00		£130.00
3 (one double/one twin)		£200.00		£130.00
4 (one double/one twin)		£200.00	£225.00 *	£130.00
5 (one single/one twin)		£200.00		£130.00
* NB Only one available

 

Meals

Breakfast provisions will be available in each cottage for you to help yourself at your own convenience each morning.  Lunch and supper, home-made by the community of St Mary’s church, Sullington will be served communally each day. Each cottage has a kitchen for preparation of drinks and snacks.

Total cost of all meals for duration of retreat – £50 per person, is included in the prices above. Retreatants are very welcome to bring and prepare ingredients for their own meals if they wish.

Please ensure you let us know of any dietary restrictions or preferences.

Optional Activities:

Tai chi:

Tai Chi is a journey in wisdom which calms and stills the mind. Tai Chi combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements. Originally developed as a martial art in 13th-century China, tai chi is today practised around the world as a health-promoting exercise.  Tai Chi is suitable whatever your fitness level.  Sessions will be tailored to suit those taking part.

Our sessions are offered by Simon Robins of Tai Chi Wisdom (www.taichiwisdom.net) who has over 20 years’ experience and is a fully qualified Senior Instructor with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain.

Cost: £15 per person per session.

Painting:

Alison Cotton is a painter, watercolour tutor, and Inclusive Arts Practitioner. Her practice involves walking, responding to nature, and enabling those with less access to these things to be artists. Alison works with Brighton Oasis Project (women and children affected by substance misuse) and the Rocket Artists (artists with a learning disability).

You will have the opportunity to try watercolour painting as a way to be still and respond to a beautiful place. The session is suitable for those with no artistic experience, as well as those who have. We will combine gentle walking, painting outdoors and indoors according to the weather and the wishes of those taking part.

We will provide the following painting equipment, which you can take home with you afterwards:
Two sable brushes, size 4 and 6; watercolour paper (4 sheets); beginners’ watercolour paint set

Cost: £15 per person per session.

 

Retreat dates:                       Wednesday, 20th – Friday, 22nd September 2017

‘Give God a chance’ with Andrew Mayes

Timetable:

Day 1

2pm	Arrive any time between 2pm and 4:30pm
4.30pm	Tea
5pm	Welcome and introductory sedssion led by the community of St Mary’s Church
6pm	Iona communion
7pm	Supper

Day 2

Breakfast (cereals, fruit, bread, milk, teas and coffee) provided in cottages

10:30am	Yoga/Painting/walk
1pm	Lunch
2.30pm	Yoga/Painting/walk
5pm	‘Give God a Chance’, session led by Andrew Mayes
6pm	Iona communion
7pm	Supper

 

Day 3

Breakfast (cereals, fruit, bread, milk, teas and coffee) provided in cottages

10am	‘Give God a Chance’, concluding session led by Andrew Mayes
11.45pm	Yoga/Painting/walk
1pm	Lunch
2.30pm	Yoga/Painting/walk
6pm	Iona communion
7pm	Snack and departure

 

 ‘Give God a chance’ with Andrew Mayes – Wednesday, 20th – Friday, 22nd September 2017
The author of 8 spirituality books, Dr Mayes is an experienced retreat-giver. Andrew Mayes is an international speaker and teacher, teaching, for example, at Virginia Theological College, Yale Divinity School, St George’s College Jerusalem and at the Australasia’s annual conference for spiritual directors. He is Spirituality Adviser to the Diocese of Chichester and Rector of East Blatchington and Bishopstone.

To Book:

Please contact:

Gail Kittle (secretary), St Mary’s church, Sullington • Sullington Lane • Storrington • RH20 4AE
Tel: 01903 745754      Email info@st-marys-sullington.org