Nine Types of Rest
Having ‘time off’ is important – but it might help to think about how we use it. It’s too easy to fill our ‘time off’ with frantic – and maybe enjoyable activity – and forget that we need to rest and relaxation – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. What do you most need to refresh you? Which of these might most benefit you – and those around you? The following is just a start to help us think about this.
- time away
- permission to not be helpful
- something '“unproductive”
- connection to art and nature
- solitude to recharge
- a break from responsibility
- stillness to decompress
- safe space
- alone time at home.
Retreats, Quiet Days and Quiet Spaces
Taking time out from everyday life gives us focussed and uninterrupted space to spend time with the God who knows and loves us.
Organised days give some input to help shape your prayer and reflection and retreats may provide input sessions or may be individually guided where you spend one to one time each day with a retreat guide.
Many places also offer space for people to have a private quiet day or retreat. Links to local places which are available for both organised or private retreats and reflection days can be found here:
- Assington Hall, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 5LQ, offering peace, space and opportunity for reflection for meetings, workshops, group camps, activities and events, 07753 811 220.
- Carmelite Monastery, Roman Catholic Carmelite Monastery, Quidenham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2PH. Tel: 01953 887202. Private retreats or quiet days only.
- Clare Priory Roman Catholic Augustinian community. Clare Priory, Ashen Road, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NX. Tel: 01787 277326.
- House of Retreat, Diocese of Chelmsford’s Retreat & Conference Centre. The Street, Pleshey, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1HA. Tel: 01245 237251.
- Monks Eleigh Retreat Centre, Monks Eleigh URC has been refurbished in order to be used as a day retreat and meeting centre named HOME, in rural Suffolk. It is suitable for retreats and other small meetings.
- Quiet Waters, Ecumenical Christian Retreat House. Quiet Waters Christian Retreat House, Flixton Road, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1PD. Tel: 01986 893201
- Ringsfield Christian Ecostudy Centre, Ringsfield Hall, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 8JR. Tel: 01502 713020. Self-contained hermitage, chapel and cloistered garden.
- The Quiet Garden Trust, Kerridge House, 42 Woodside Close, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5EF. Tel: 01494 434873.
- Wigwam Retreat Centre, The Personal Wholeness Trust runs retreats and quiet days at the Wigwam Retreat Centre at Riddlesworth near Diss, where there is an outdoor labyrinth in beautiful surroundings.
- Tony and Caroline Redman have a small, self-contained garden room which can be used by individuals or groups up to six. It has heating, drink making facilities and a toilet. Email: Caroline Redman.
- Many country churches are also spaces which can be used for quiet days. Some have rooms available for hire.
- Lark Rise Retreats run by Catherine Bond, Penny Brinkley and Jane Pearse in conjunction with St John’s Felixstowe offer quiet days in Felixstowe and retreat days for your organisation. Details www.larkriseretreats.org or email larkriseretreats@gmail.com.
- Place by the Water - A worshipping group, part of the Lightwave Community. Offers retreat days for Suffolk clergy. The Old Rectory, Church Lane, Shottisham, Suffolk, IP12 3HG. Tel: 07884 373 799
Outside Suffolk
Retreat Association Ecumenical organisation providing information and guidance on retreats, quiet days, spiritual direction and retreat leadership.
Launde Abbey Launde is a beautiful retreat house set deep in the Leicestershire countryside.
St Beunos Silent retreats in North Wales and information on Ignatian Spirituality.
Worth Abbey, Open Cloister Offers spiritual direction and a programme of events at Worth Abbey.
Sheldon, providing space, a wide variety of retreats, and refreshment for those in ministry.