Parish Retreat Weekend: Parables as camping ground, a practice of noticing

Host: Rev’d Richard Browning.

A retreat led by The Rev’d Richard Browning at Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston.

“Lost” by David Wagoner
“Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.”

https://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2009/09/lost-by-david-wagoner.html

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you, you are surely lost. If what the sea or the mangrove does is lost on you, then come, stand still. If what a parable does is lost on you, stand still. The tree, the sea, the parable knows where you are. Come, let yourself be found.

Jesus is pretty interested in lostness. There is no judgment, and wherever we are, call it Here, is where Jesus draws near.

You are invited to step out for a while and camp (very comfortably) among the trees and by the water. Camp also among a few of Jesus’ parables and let them find us where we are. In the stories we will hear the voice of Jesus who seeks out the lost, loves the least and calls us into simple lives filled with loving.

To Register

Registrations are now open for our parish retreat being held from 2pm Friday, 10 March to mid afternoon Saturday, 11 March 2023. The first hours of the retreat are spent settling into the centre and enjoying its surrounds and spaces, so do not worry if you are not able to arrive until later in the afternoon on Friday as the formal sessions will not have begun.

Costs include one night’s accommodation, all meals and use of chapel, meeting room and prayer spaces.

• Single room with ensuite- $200 payable before 25 February
• Couple- double room with ensuite- $330 payable before 25 February

Retreat registration forms are available here or in print form on the literature table at the entrance to the church.

About Richard Browning

Richard Browning is Director of Mission, Anglican School’s Commission and team member of Way Point Contemplative community. He has been ordained for over 25 years, practices stillness and is an experienced retreat host and guide.