Retreats in May 2026

1 – 3 May (Friday to Sunday)
Integrating the Rule of Life with Internal Family Systems (IFS): deepening and extending the inner and outer journey* (at Nether Springs)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an empowering form of psychotherapy that embraces ancient spiritual traditions and, as such, is perfectly suited for integrating with the Northumbria Community Rule of Life.

IFS tells us that we all have an internal family of people inside us, called ‘parts’, and that we can build a relationship with each of our parts from our spiritual self, the seat of our consciousness (called ‘Self’ in IFS).  Self is a pure essence inside us that cannot be destroyed and knows how to heal.  In contrast our parts either get forced into protective roles or carry the payload from harmful events in the form of wounds and scars.  Therefore our parts take over, and the ‘internal system’ becomes burdened. However, the good news is that there are no bad parts, and healing is possible for each part when Self is allowed to lead!

The way to learn about IFS is by experiencing it for yourself, so the weekend will consist of explanation, meditations and creative exercises to provide a safe framework for discovery and building relationship with our own internal family.  It can address fundamental questions such as: ‘Am I loved?‘ and ‘Am I enough?‘

All that is required to begin is for us to direct our attention inside in stillness and with patient non-judgemental curiosity.

Peter Barraclough has been a qualified Internal Family Systems therapist for four years and is a Companion of the Northumbria Community. For more information about IFS you can visit www.ifs-institute.com

Interested in this retreat? Use this link to complete your booking form
Suggested donation: £190

*This is a spiritual retreat, not a therapy training weekend.

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6 – 10 May (Wednesday to Sunday)
Establish Thou the Work of our Hands – Gardening (at Nether Springs)

We invite you to engage, both physically and spiritually, with both soil and soul, in the gardens at Nether Springs. Please be aware that there will be a significant practical element to this weekend.

While this retreat is open to anyone, priority will be given to Companions, Novices, Postulants and Friends of Community.

Interested in this retreat? Use this link to complete your booking form
Suggested donation: £380

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11 – 14 May (Monday to Thursday)
All Shall Be Well (at Nether Springs)

A retreat to explore the life-affirming spirituality and message of Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write a book in the English language. Her visions and the meaning she drew from them were radical at her time and continue to resonate in the 21st century. We will sit with some of her essential sayings and let them draw us into the One who sustains all that is made.

Interested in this retreat? Use this link to complete your booking form
Suggested donation: £285

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18 – 21 May (Monday to Thursday)
Individually Guided Retreat (IGR): Seeking God at the Crossroads (at Nether Springs)

This is what the LORD says, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.   Jeremiah 6:16

A chance to reflect on life-transitions with someone who will listen with you to God’s work at the crossroads. You may also, of course, choose to explore other themes with your retreat guide in your daily session.

Interested in this retreat? Use this link to complete your booking form
Suggested donation: £330

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29 – 31 May (Friday to Sunday)
Journey with Jonah (at Nether Springs)

Event type: Celtic Sites & Saints, Community Gathering, Creativity & Interests, Exploring the Northumbria Community, Family Week, Rest and Restoration, Retreats at Nether Springs, Spiritual Development