House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
What's On at Nether Springs
People come to stay at Nether Springs for all sorts of reasons, maybe because it’s ‘home’, maybe for some space, maybe to join in one of the retreats, or maybe a mixture of all of these. All are welcome at any time, regardless of the whether you would like to take part in the programmed retreat or not.
Below, you can find the programme of retreats listed by month or you can download the 2020 Nether Springs Programme. All of the retreats (general arrival time being 3pm-5pm) hosted at Nether Springs are held within the rhythm of the day.
If you would like to book onto one of the retreats, or to come just for some space, please contact the Community Office
Please also take some time to read the frequently asked questions about staying at Nether Springs.
February 2020
March 2020
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
Trustees Weekend *
*Please note. The house is only open to Trustees of the Northumbria Community this weekend.
Living In The Story
The Bible recounts the Story of God and his interactions with humankind. This retreat will explore how the Story of the Bible works and how we might live within that Story as part of our everyday lives.
Part 2 – Finding God In Who You Are: An Exploration of Personality and Spirituality With the Help of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
This retreat course is open to anyone who has a confident knowledge of what their MBTI personality type is and would like to take their understanding further.
The retreat will cover “Type Dynamics” and will also apply this learning to further exploration of Christian spirituality, partly by touching on the themes of our lifelong journeys of development and the relationship between our conscious and our unconscious lives where, according to Jung, both our “Shadow” and “True Self” may be found.
Blessing People And Places
The God of blessing created us to be channels of blessing to people and places. The retreat will explore the means, disciplines and resources that help us to be people of benediction whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves.
Celtic Saints: St. Cuthbert
An opportunity to enter imaginatively into the story of this great Northern saint through prayer, creativity, pilgrimage and storytelling. In doing so, we may discover landmarks and signposts for our own journeys. Includes a day trip to Holy Island on Saturday.
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of your own heart, in a community of fellow seekers. Each retreatant will be paired with a companion on the journey from whom they can receive individual support and guidance. Apart from the session of spiritual accompaniment each morning, we will seek God in silence from Monday after Night Prayers until lunch on Thursday.
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
April 2020
Life at the Edge of Empire
This retreat is for those asking, ‘how do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’ and ‘how then shall we live?’ whilst living at the edge of ‘empire’. The empire is the system that we are part of, yet which we often feel alienated from. We will explore how to live faithfully within the […]
Easter Workshop (Thursday pm – Monday am)
Easter has always been a special time for the Community to gather. The Easter narrative draws us into Christ’s life, death & resurrection. He gives us ‐ individually and as a Community ‐ our identity, our life and our future. This is a time for all of us to explore our journey of faith and […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for a week after Easter as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Please note: Participation in the first evening session is essential.
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
May 2020
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
Small-Stitched Collage
During this workshop we will explore the possibilities of using a random collection of textiles and stitches to build up a collage piece. Sometimes it is useful to work without a clear idea of what you intend to create and discover processes by chance and develop ideas by experimenting with colour, surface, texture and design. […]
A Retreat for Children/Adults with Learning Disabilities and their Family/Carers
This retreat will offer activities for reflection and fun too. Some activities such as meals will be shared but others will be separate activities, relating to the needs within the group. Examples will involve craft, music, outdoor (weather permitting) time, reflective space. Please call the office with queries.
Celtic Sites And Saints
A chance to journey with the Celtic Saints whose spirituality and witness not only served the renewal of the Church but shaped culture in their own day and beyond. The example of Aidan, Cuthbert, Oswald, Hild and many others has inspired the Northumbria Community and provided a foundation for our Way for Living. This retreat […]
Dancing Celtic Daily Prayer
Come and learn or enjoy again the dances that go with the liturgy in Celtic Daily Prayer plus some personal worship dances. A weekend of music and movement to express and deepen faith.
Celtic Saints: St. Brendan
Irish monks used boats called coracles to travel on the ocean in search of a ‘desert place’ in which they found God in a new way. One of the most famous of these monks is Brendan, who set out from the West coast of Ireland out into the vast wilderness of the ocean with a […]
Gifts of Monasticism in Everyday Life
The monastic tradition has provided many gifts for the wider body of Christ throughout the life of the church. But often they are like tools that don’t make it out of the tool-bag when it comes to figuring out the questions of how then shall we live? and how shall we sing the Lord’s song […]
Seeking God at the Crossroads: An Individually Guided Retreat
‘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 […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
June 2020
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Trustees Weekend *
*Please note. The house is only open to Trustees of the Northumbria Community this weekend.
The Courage Of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences…. It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. ~Brené Brown […]
Learn From The Birds
Jesus told his followers that they can learn about God’s love and goodness from watching birds and seeing how they are provided for. Christians throughout the ages have taken that lesson to heart, including Celtic saints like Cuthbert who was perhaps the first Briton to argue for protecting birds—like the local Eider Duck to whom Cuthbert […]
Achsah Pilgrimage
10 Years after we took a physical journey from Hetton Hall to Acton Home Farm, carrying with us treasures of the Community to bring to our new Mother House, we will celebrate God’s faithfulness to us by reversing the journey and walking from Acton Home Farm to Cuthbert’s Cave (near Hetton Hall, now privately owned). […]
Growing In Contemplative Awareness Through Art
This weekend we want to: Encounter and collaborate with our Creator God through the process of making. Explore how this can nurture our awareness of and relationship with Him. All art supplies will be provided to work on a variety of projects. No previous artistic experience needed.
Listening to the Heartbeat of God: An Individually Guided Retreat
In the Gospel of John, we find the Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper, leaning against Jesus, lying on his breast, reclining… presumably he was near enough to hear his heartbeat, if he chose to listen. This is a time to receive individual support and guidance as you to draw near to Christ as his […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
July 2020
Soul Talk (with collage)
The Lord spoke and said: Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in […]
The Way of the Desert
Come and explore the history and wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their relevance for today and the spirituality of desert places. The Desert Monastic tradition was a great inspiration for the Celtic Church and remains foundational for the Northumbria Community today.
Work Weekend / Caedmon Evening
Come a lend a hand in the woodland, garden and home. We’ll celebrate the final evening with a feast and a ‘Caedmon Evening’–sharing story, song and dance.
Embodied Holiness
There comes a point when we can have a good look at our bodies and say, “Here I am. This is the body-like-no-other that my life has shaped. I live here. This is my soul’s address”, advocates Barbara Brown Taylor. Many of us struggle with wearing our own skin, but what we can miss, in […]
Motivational Gifts
Growing in knowledge of ourselves goes hand-in-hand with growing in knowledge of God. This retreat offers a well-tested and well-received tool for understanding our ‘motivational gift.’ What is it that motivates our personality, choices, and relationships with others? The teaching draws from a book of the same title and is based on Romans 12:1-8, verses […]
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
To Know Living Things
‘This is one of the greatest challenges of our time: to convert ourselves to a type of development that knows how to respect Creation’. ~Pope Francis Details forthcoming
August 2020
Celtic Sites and Saints: St. Oswald
A chance to explore the story of St. Oswald, ancient King of Northumbria and reflect on seats of power today.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Family Week
An opportunity for families to be together, sharing in the life and rhythm of Nether Springs and to use this home as a base for holiday exploration in Northumberland. Retreat ends after lunch on Saturday. Suggested donation for each family: one adult offers full donation, spouse/partner and children under 16 half donation, children under 8 […]
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Please note: Participation in the first evening session is essential.
Celtic Saints: St. Aidan
Aidan travelled from the Isle of Iona to Northumberland at the request of King Oswald to bring the light of the Gospel to this land. He was known for speaking out courageously, wisely, and yet also graciously, living with simplicity and giving with extraordinary generosity to those in need. This led retreat will celebrate, through […]
Seeking God at the Crossroads: An Individually Guided Retreat
‘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 […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
September 2020
Trustees Weekend*
*Please note. The house is only open to Trustees of the Northumbria Community this weekend.
The House that John Built
‘The House that John Built’ is the Northumbria Community’s telling of the lineage of the Celtic Saints, tracing the roots of this remarkable expression of the Christian faith. This retreat is an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the stories and places of a succession of saints. It will also include insights into the significance of […]
Celtic Saints: St. Ninian
Ninian grew up in what is now Cumbria but felt a call to visit Rome. On the way home, he stopped in France, stayed with St. Martin in Tours and found his way for life. He then set up monastic settlements near his home and again in Galloway with his ‘Candida Casa’. In this retreat, […]
The Courage of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences … It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brigid and Hospitality
Saint Brigid became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome. We will learn more about Brigid and will explore together what a hospitality of home and a hospitality of heart might like look in our own lives.
Listening to the Heartbeat of God: An Individually Guided Retreat
In the Gospel of John, we find the Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper, leaning against Jesus, lying on his breast, reclining… presumably he was near enough to hear his heartbeat, if he chose to listen. This is a time to receive individual support and guidance as you to draw near to Christ as his […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
October 2020
Rediscovering Sabbath
We live in a culture driven by constant activity and business. The thought of resting a whole day every week might even sound scary to us as we all are affected by the pressure to do and achieve. How can we learn to stop? What lies at the heart of God’s commandment and this ancient […]
Journeying Home
In recent times our culture has tended to avoid speaking or thinking about death, although there are signs that this is changing. This retreat gives an opportunity for us to heed Chad’s call to always be ready for death, ‘for death may call for us at anytime.’ Through stories, music, pilgrimage and creativity we will […]
Journeying Beyond the Familiar
This retreat will focus on finding God in the midst of the changing landscapes of our daily lives. We’ll be using a creative project to help us consider what it is to journey with God beyond the comfortable and familiar in to the unknown and unchartered. So, the retreat will combine times of led reflection, […]
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community.
The Seven Sacred Spaces
The monastic tradition, as lived out through its diverse buildings, offers us a lens to glimpse a richer way ‘to be church’ as well as insights into quality community and even the nature of being human. Come and explore what are called The Seven Sacred Spaces in a setting that offers windows into all of them.
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Celebrating the Saints
Over this ‘All Saints’ Day’ weekend, we’ll have a chance to explore together the significance of being part of ‘The Communion of the Saints’. We’ll also explore the lives of a variety of Northumbrian Saints and how they might help shape a ‘Northumbrian Spirituality’. Retreat will include a pilgrimage on Saturday afternoon.
November 2020
Embracing Conflict
A chance to examine how you deal with life’s drama, and to learn from the example of Jesus. We’ll look at the gospels “through conflict lenses”, exploring the tensions that Jesus faced, and what it meant for him to embrace conflict. There will also be plenty of space for personal reflection and prayer. If you […]
Northumbrian Spirituality
Details Forthcoming
Soul Friendship and the Gift of Listening
An opportunity for Companions, Friends and others to share what ‘Soul Friendship’ means for each of us. Following the example of ‘good ones of old’ (Jesus, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Celtic saints, Medieval mystics), we will reflect on the meaning of spiritual friendship, listening, accompaniment and direction in our own lives and within the Northumbria […]
Celtic Saints: St. Hild
Bede describes Hilda as a woman of great energy, who was a skilled administrator and teacher. She gained such a reputation for wisdom that even kings and princes sought her advice, but she also had a concern for ordinary folk [like Caedmon. He was a cowherd at the monastery, who was inspired in a dream […]
Knowing and Sharing Our Stories
If you want to know someone, then you must know their story, for their story defines who they are. And if you want to know yourself, to gain insight into the meaning of your own life, then you must come to know your own story. This retreat will explore frameworks, practices and resources for knowing […]
Heart Alone with God
A led retreat exploring aspects of the Inner Journey and spiritual conflict with particular reference to the monastic understanding of the Cell.
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, Amen. ~Thomas Merton This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of […]
House Closed
Nether Springs is closed for three days every month as part of the resident community’s commitment to a rhythm of life.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. […]
December 2020
Trustees Weekend*
*Please note. The house is only open to Trustees of the Northumbria Community this weekend.
Advent Retreat
As we enter the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, this retreat offers the opportunity to prepare for the weeks ahead, to separate the trivial from the significant, and to consider again the meaning, relevance and wonder of the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Christ. Through conversation and reflection, we’ll prepare to welcome Christ into […]
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, Amen. ~Thomas Merton This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of […]
House Closed
See you in the New Year!
Rest and Restoration
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
A Retreat for Children/Adults with Learning Disabilities and their Family/Carers
This retreat will offer activities for reflection and fun too. Some activities such as meals will be shared but others will be separate activities, relating to the needs within the group. Examples will involve craft, music, outdoor (weather permitting) time, reflective space. Please call the office with queries.
Celtic Saints: St. Brendan
Irish monks used boats called coracles to travel on the ocean in search of a ‘desert place’ in which they found God in a new way. One of the most famous of these monks is Brendan, who set out from the West coast of Ireland out into the vast wilderness of the ocean with a […]
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
This retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time with God within the daily life and rhythm of the community at Nether Springs. No set programme or teaching is provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. It is simply time to come and be yourself.
Rediscovering Sabbath
We live in a culture driven by constant activity and business. The thought of resting a whole day every week might even sound scary to us as we all are affected by the pressure to do and achieve. How can we learn to stop? What lies at the heart of God’s commandment and this ancient […]
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Heart Alone with God
A led retreat exploring aspects of the Inner Journey and spiritual conflict with particular reference to the monastic understanding of the Cell.
I Still and Quiet My Soul
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. […]
Advent Retreat
As we enter the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, this retreat offers the opportunity to prepare for the weeks ahead, to separate the trivial from the significant, and to consider again the meaning, relevance and wonder of the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Christ. Through conversation and reflection, we’ll prepare to welcome Christ into […]
A Time for Everything
Join in with the life of the house based on the monastic daily rhythm of prayer, work, study/reflection, solitude and community. No set programme or teaching provided, apart from an introduction on the first night. Just time to come and be yourself.
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, Amen. ~Thomas Merton This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of […]
Spiritual Development
Living In The Story
The Bible recounts the Story of God and his interactions with humankind. This retreat will explore how the Story of the Bible works and how we might live within that Story as part of our everyday lives.
Part 2 – Finding God In Who You Are: An Exploration of Personality and Spirituality With the Help of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
This retreat course is open to anyone who has a confident knowledge of what their MBTI personality type is and would like to take their understanding further.
The retreat will cover “Type Dynamics” and will also apply this learning to further exploration of Christian spirituality, partly by touching on the themes of our lifelong journeys of development and the relationship between our conscious and our unconscious lives where, according to Jung, both our “Shadow” and “True Self” may be found.
Blessing People And Places
The God of blessing created us to be channels of blessing to people and places. The retreat will explore the means, disciplines and resources that help us to be people of benediction whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves.
Celtic Saints: St. Cuthbert
An opportunity to enter imaginatively into the story of this great Northern saint through prayer, creativity, pilgrimage and storytelling. In doing so, we may discover landmarks and signposts for our own journeys. Includes a day trip to Holy Island on Saturday.
Life at the Edge of Empire
This retreat is for those asking, ‘how do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’ and ‘how then shall we live?’ whilst living at the edge of ‘empire’. The empire is the system that we are part of, yet which we often feel alienated from. We will explore how to live faithfully within the […]
Easter Workshop (Thursday pm – Monday am)
Easter has always been a special time for the Community to gather. The Easter narrative draws us into Christ’s life, death & resurrection. He gives us ‐ individually and as a Community ‐ our identity, our life and our future. This is a time for all of us to explore our journey of faith and […]
Celtic Sites And Saints
A chance to journey with the Celtic Saints whose spirituality and witness not only served the renewal of the Church but shaped culture in their own day and beyond. The example of Aidan, Cuthbert, Oswald, Hild and many others has inspired the Northumbria Community and provided a foundation for our Way for Living. This retreat […]
Gifts of Monasticism in Everyday Life
The monastic tradition has provided many gifts for the wider body of Christ throughout the life of the church. But often they are like tools that don’t make it out of the tool-bag when it comes to figuring out the questions of how then shall we live? and how shall we sing the Lord’s song […]
The Courage Of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences…. It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. ~Brené Brown […]
Soul Talk (with collage)
The Lord spoke and said: Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in […]
The Way of the Desert
Come and explore the history and wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their relevance for today and the spirituality of desert places. The Desert Monastic tradition was a great inspiration for the Celtic Church and remains foundational for the Northumbria Community today.
Motivational Gifts
Growing in knowledge of ourselves goes hand-in-hand with growing in knowledge of God. This retreat offers a well-tested and well-received tool for understanding our ‘motivational gift.’ What is it that motivates our personality, choices, and relationships with others? The teaching draws from a book of the same title and is based on Romans 12:1-8, verses […]
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Please note: Participation in the first evening session is essential.
Celtic Saints: St. Aidan
Aidan travelled from the Isle of Iona to Northumberland at the request of King Oswald to bring the light of the Gospel to this land. He was known for speaking out courageously, wisely, and yet also graciously, living with simplicity and giving with extraordinary generosity to those in need. This led retreat will celebrate, through […]
The Courage of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences … It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brigid and Hospitality
Saint Brigid became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome. We will learn more about Brigid and will explore together what a hospitality of home and a hospitality of heart might like look in our own lives.
Rediscovering Sabbath
We live in a culture driven by constant activity and business. The thought of resting a whole day every week might even sound scary to us as we all are affected by the pressure to do and achieve. How can we learn to stop? What lies at the heart of God’s commandment and this ancient […]
Journeying Home
In recent times our culture has tended to avoid speaking or thinking about death, although there are signs that this is changing. This retreat gives an opportunity for us to heed Chad’s call to always be ready for death, ‘for death may call for us at anytime.’ Through stories, music, pilgrimage and creativity we will […]
Journeying Beyond the Familiar
This retreat will focus on finding God in the midst of the changing landscapes of our daily lives. We’ll be using a creative project to help us consider what it is to journey with God beyond the comfortable and familiar in to the unknown and unchartered. So, the retreat will combine times of led reflection, […]
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community.
The Seven Sacred Spaces
The monastic tradition, as lived out through its diverse buildings, offers us a lens to glimpse a richer way ‘to be church’ as well as insights into quality community and even the nature of being human. Come and explore what are called The Seven Sacred Spaces in a setting that offers windows into all of them.
Celebrating the Saints
Over this ‘All Saints’ Day’ weekend, we’ll have a chance to explore together the significance of being part of ‘The Communion of the Saints’. We’ll also explore the lives of a variety of Northumbrian Saints and how they might help shape a ‘Northumbrian Spirituality’. Retreat will include a pilgrimage on Saturday afternoon.
Embracing Conflict
A chance to examine how you deal with life’s drama, and to learn from the example of Jesus. We’ll look at the gospels “through conflict lenses”, exploring the tensions that Jesus faced, and what it meant for him to embrace conflict. There will also be plenty of space for personal reflection and prayer. If you […]
Northumbrian Spirituality
Details Forthcoming
Soul Friendship and the Gift of Listening
An opportunity for Companions, Friends and others to share what ‘Soul Friendship’ means for each of us. Following the example of ‘good ones of old’ (Jesus, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Celtic saints, Medieval mystics), we will reflect on the meaning of spiritual friendship, listening, accompaniment and direction in our own lives and within the Northumbria […]
Celtic Saints: St. Hild
Bede describes Hilda as a woman of great energy, who was a skilled administrator and teacher. She gained such a reputation for wisdom that even kings and princes sought her advice, but she also had a concern for ordinary folk [like Caedmon. He was a cowherd at the monastery, who was inspired in a dream […]
Knowing and Sharing Our Stories
If you want to know someone, then you must know their story, for their story defines who they are. And if you want to know yourself, to gain insight into the meaning of your own life, then you must come to know your own story. This retreat will explore frameworks, practices and resources for knowing […]
Heart Alone with God
A led retreat exploring aspects of the Inner Journey and spiritual conflict with particular reference to the monastic understanding of the Cell.
Advent Retreat
As we enter the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, this retreat offers the opportunity to prepare for the weeks ahead, to separate the trivial from the significant, and to consider again the meaning, relevance and wonder of the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Christ. Through conversation and reflection, we’ll prepare to welcome Christ into […]
Life Issues
Part 2 – Finding God In Who You Are: An Exploration of Personality and Spirituality With the Help of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
This retreat course is open to anyone who has a confident knowledge of what their MBTI personality type is and would like to take their understanding further.
The retreat will cover “Type Dynamics” and will also apply this learning to further exploration of Christian spirituality, partly by touching on the themes of our lifelong journeys of development and the relationship between our conscious and our unconscious lives where, according to Jung, both our “Shadow” and “True Self” may be found.
Blessing People And Places
The God of blessing created us to be channels of blessing to people and places. The retreat will explore the means, disciplines and resources that help us to be people of benediction whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves.
Life at the Edge of Empire
This retreat is for those asking, ‘how do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’ and ‘how then shall we live?’ whilst living at the edge of ‘empire’. The empire is the system that we are part of, yet which we often feel alienated from. We will explore how to live faithfully within the […]
The Courage Of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences…. It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. ~Brené Brown […]
Motivational Gifts
Growing in knowledge of ourselves goes hand-in-hand with growing in knowledge of God. This retreat offers a well-tested and well-received tool for understanding our ‘motivational gift.’ What is it that motivates our personality, choices, and relationships with others? The teaching draws from a book of the same title and is based on Romans 12:1-8, verses […]
The Courage of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences … It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brigid and Hospitality
Saint Brigid became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome. We will learn more about Brigid and will explore together what a hospitality of home and a hospitality of heart might like look in our own lives.
Rediscovering Sabbath
We live in a culture driven by constant activity and business. The thought of resting a whole day every week might even sound scary to us as we all are affected by the pressure to do and achieve. How can we learn to stop? What lies at the heart of God’s commandment and this ancient […]
Journeying Home
In recent times our culture has tended to avoid speaking or thinking about death, although there are signs that this is changing. This retreat gives an opportunity for us to heed Chad’s call to always be ready for death, ‘for death may call for us at anytime.’ Through stories, music, pilgrimage and creativity we will […]
Embracing Conflict
A chance to examine how you deal with life’s drama, and to learn from the example of Jesus. We’ll look at the gospels “through conflict lenses”, exploring the tensions that Jesus faced, and what it meant for him to embrace conflict. There will also be plenty of space for personal reflection and prayer. If you […]
Soul Friendship and the Gift of Listening
An opportunity for Companions, Friends and others to share what ‘Soul Friendship’ means for each of us. Following the example of ‘good ones of old’ (Jesus, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Celtic saints, Medieval mystics), we will reflect on the meaning of spiritual friendship, listening, accompaniment and direction in our own lives and within the Northumbria […]
Knowing and Sharing Our Stories
If you want to know someone, then you must know their story, for their story defines who they are. And if you want to know yourself, to gain insight into the meaning of your own life, then you must come to know your own story. This retreat will explore frameworks, practices and resources for knowing […]
Celtic Sites & Saints
Celtic Saints: St. Cuthbert
An opportunity to enter imaginatively into the story of this great Northern saint through prayer, creativity, pilgrimage and storytelling. In doing so, we may discover landmarks and signposts for our own journeys. Includes a day trip to Holy Island on Saturday.
Celtic Sites And Saints
A chance to journey with the Celtic Saints whose spirituality and witness not only served the renewal of the Church but shaped culture in their own day and beyond. The example of Aidan, Cuthbert, Oswald, Hild and many others has inspired the Northumbria Community and provided a foundation for our Way for Living. This retreat […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brendan
Irish monks used boats called coracles to travel on the ocean in search of a ‘desert place’ in which they found God in a new way. One of the most famous of these monks is Brendan, who set out from the West coast of Ireland out into the vast wilderness of the ocean with a […]
Achsah Pilgrimage
10 Years after we took a physical journey from Hetton Hall to Acton Home Farm, carrying with us treasures of the Community to bring to our new Mother House, we will celebrate God’s faithfulness to us by reversing the journey and walking from Acton Home Farm to Cuthbert’s Cave (near Hetton Hall, now privately owned). […]
Celtic Sites and Saints: St. Oswald
A chance to explore the story of St. Oswald, ancient King of Northumbria and reflect on seats of power today.
Celtic Saints: St. Aidan
Aidan travelled from the Isle of Iona to Northumberland at the request of King Oswald to bring the light of the Gospel to this land. He was known for speaking out courageously, wisely, and yet also graciously, living with simplicity and giving with extraordinary generosity to those in need. This led retreat will celebrate, through […]
The House that John Built
‘The House that John Built’ is the Northumbria Community’s telling of the lineage of the Celtic Saints, tracing the roots of this remarkable expression of the Christian faith. This retreat is an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the stories and places of a succession of saints. It will also include insights into the significance of […]
Celtic Saints: St. Ninian
Ninian grew up in what is now Cumbria but felt a call to visit Rome. On the way home, he stopped in France, stayed with St. Martin in Tours and found his way for life. He then set up monastic settlements near his home and again in Galloway with his ‘Candida Casa’. In this retreat, […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brigid and Hospitality
Saint Brigid became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome. We will learn more about Brigid and will explore together what a hospitality of home and a hospitality of heart might like look in our own lives.
Celebrating the Saints
Over this ‘All Saints’ Day’ weekend, we’ll have a chance to explore together the significance of being part of ‘The Communion of the Saints’. We’ll also explore the lives of a variety of Northumbrian Saints and how they might help shape a ‘Northumbrian Spirituality’. Retreat will include a pilgrimage on Saturday afternoon.
Northumbrian Spirituality
Details Forthcoming
Celtic Saints: St. Hild
Bede describes Hilda as a woman of great energy, who was a skilled administrator and teacher. She gained such a reputation for wisdom that even kings and princes sought her advice, but she also had a concern for ordinary folk [like Caedmon. He was a cowherd at the monastery, who was inspired in a dream […]
Individual Guided Retreats
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of your own heart, in a community of fellow seekers. Each retreatant will be paired with a companion on the journey from whom they can receive individual support and guidance. Apart from the session of spiritual accompaniment each morning, we will seek God in silence from Monday after Night Prayers until lunch on Thursday.
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
Seeking God at the Crossroads: An Individually Guided Retreat
‘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 […]
Listening to the Heartbeat of God: An Individually Guided Retreat
In the Gospel of John, we find the Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper, leaning against Jesus, lying on his breast, reclining… presumably he was near enough to hear his heartbeat, if he chose to listen. This is a time to receive individual support and guidance as you to draw near to Christ as his […]
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
Seeking God at the Crossroads: An Individually Guided Retreat
‘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 […]
Listening to the Heartbeat of God: An Individually Guided Retreat
In the Gospel of John, we find the Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper, leaning against Jesus, lying on his breast, reclining… presumably he was near enough to hear his heartbeat, if he chose to listen. This is a time to receive individual support and guidance as you to draw near to Christ as his […]
Being Who You Are: An Individually-Guided Retreat
Spiritual formation is cooperating with the inner work of transformation the Spirit of God is seeking to accomplish in you. The Spirit’s purpose is not to turn you into a different person, but to make you into the best ‘you’ that you can be. An opportunity to explore, with the support of your retreat guide […]
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, Amen. ~Thomas Merton This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of […]
Entering the Silence: An Individually Guided Retreat
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, Amen. ~Thomas Merton This silent retreat is a time to seek God in the cell of […]
Exploring the Northumbria Community
Life at the Edge of Empire
This retreat is for those asking, ‘how do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’ and ‘how then shall we live?’ whilst living at the edge of ‘empire’. The empire is the system that we are part of, yet which we often feel alienated from. We will explore how to live faithfully within the […]
Easter Workshop (Thursday pm – Monday am)
Easter has always been a special time for the Community to gather. The Easter narrative draws us into Christ’s life, death & resurrection. He gives us ‐ individually and as a Community ‐ our identity, our life and our future. This is a time for all of us to explore our journey of faith and […]
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Please note: Participation in the first evening session is essential.
Dancing Celtic Daily Prayer
Come and learn or enjoy again the dances that go with the liturgy in Celtic Daily Prayer plus some personal worship dances. A weekend of music and movement to express and deepen faith.
Achsah Pilgrimage
10 Years after we took a physical journey from Hetton Hall to Acton Home Farm, carrying with us treasures of the Community to bring to our new Mother House, we will celebrate God’s faithfulness to us by reversing the journey and walking from Acton Home Farm to Cuthbert’s Cave (near Hetton Hall, now privately owned). […]
The Way of the Desert
Come and explore the history and wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their relevance for today and the spirituality of desert places. The Desert Monastic tradition was a great inspiration for the Celtic Church and remains foundational for the Northumbria Community today.
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Please note: Participation in the first evening session is essential.
Celtic Saints: St. Aidan
Aidan travelled from the Isle of Iona to Northumberland at the request of King Oswald to bring the light of the Gospel to this land. He was known for speaking out courageously, wisely, and yet also graciously, living with simplicity and giving with extraordinary generosity to those in need. This led retreat will celebrate, through […]
The House that John Built
‘The House that John Built’ is the Northumbria Community’s telling of the lineage of the Celtic Saints, tracing the roots of this remarkable expression of the Christian faith. This retreat is an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the stories and places of a succession of saints. It will also include insights into the significance of […]
The Courage of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences … It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené […]
Celtic Saints: St. Brigid and Hospitality
Saint Brigid became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome. We will learn more about Brigid and will explore together what a hospitality of home and a hospitality of heart might like look in our own lives.
Community Introduction
An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community.
The Seven Sacred Spaces
The monastic tradition, as lived out through its diverse buildings, offers us a lens to glimpse a richer way ‘to be church’ as well as insights into quality community and even the nature of being human. Come and explore what are called The Seven Sacred Spaces in a setting that offers windows into all of them.
Northumbrian Spirituality
Details Forthcoming
Soul Friendship and the Gift of Listening
An opportunity for Companions, Friends and others to share what ‘Soul Friendship’ means for each of us. Following the example of ‘good ones of old’ (Jesus, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Celtic saints, Medieval mystics), we will reflect on the meaning of spiritual friendship, listening, accompaniment and direction in our own lives and within the Northumbria […]
Celtic Saints: St. Hild
Bede describes Hilda as a woman of great energy, who was a skilled administrator and teacher. She gained such a reputation for wisdom that even kings and princes sought her advice, but she also had a concern for ordinary folk [like Caedmon. He was a cowherd at the monastery, who was inspired in a dream […]
Advent, Lent & Easter
Easter Workshop (Thursday pm – Monday am)
Easter has always been a special time for the Community to gather. The Easter narrative draws us into Christ’s life, death & resurrection. He gives us ‐ individually and as a Community ‐ our identity, our life and our future. This is a time for all of us to explore our journey of faith and […]
Advent Retreat
As we enter the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, this retreat offers the opportunity to prepare for the weeks ahead, to separate the trivial from the significant, and to consider again the meaning, relevance and wonder of the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Christ. Through conversation and reflection, we’ll prepare to welcome Christ into […]
Creativity & Interests
Small-Stitched Collage
During this workshop we will explore the possibilities of using a random collection of textiles and stitches to build up a collage piece. Sometimes it is useful to work without a clear idea of what you intend to create and discover processes by chance and develop ideas by experimenting with colour, surface, texture and design. […]
Dancing Celtic Daily Prayer
Come and learn or enjoy again the dances that go with the liturgy in Celtic Daily Prayer plus some personal worship dances. A weekend of music and movement to express and deepen faith.
The Courage Of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences…. It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. ~Brené Brown […]
Learn From The Birds
Jesus told his followers that they can learn about God’s love and goodness from watching birds and seeing how they are provided for. Christians throughout the ages have taken that lesson to heart, including Celtic saints like Cuthbert who was perhaps the first Briton to argue for protecting birds—like the local Eider Duck to whom Cuthbert […]
Growing In Contemplative Awareness Through Art
This weekend we want to: Encounter and collaborate with our Creator God through the process of making. Explore how this can nurture our awareness of and relationship with Him. All art supplies will be provided to work on a variety of projects. No previous artistic experience needed.
Soul Talk (with collage)
The Lord spoke and said: Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in […]
To Know Living Things
‘This is one of the greatest challenges of our time: to convert ourselves to a type of development that knows how to respect Creation’. ~Pope Francis Details forthcoming
Journeying Beyond the Familiar
This retreat will focus on finding God in the midst of the changing landscapes of our daily lives. We’ll be using a creative project to help us consider what it is to journey with God beyond the comfortable and familiar in to the unknown and unchartered. So, the retreat will combine times of led reflection, […]
Celtic Saints: St. Hild
Bede describes Hilda as a woman of great energy, who was a skilled administrator and teacher. She gained such a reputation for wisdom that even kings and princes sought her advice, but she also had a concern for ordinary folk [like Caedmon. He was a cowherd at the monastery, who was inspired in a dream […]
Family Week
A Retreat for Children/Adults with Learning Disabilities and their Family/Carers
This retreat will offer activities for reflection and fun too. Some activities such as meals will be shared but others will be separate activities, relating to the needs within the group. Examples will involve craft, music, outdoor (weather permitting) time, reflective space. Please call the office with queries.
Family Week
An opportunity for families to be together, sharing in the life and rhythm of Nether Springs and to use this home as a base for holiday exploration in Northumberland. Retreat ends after lunch on Saturday. Suggested donation for each family: one adult offers full donation, spouse/partner and children under 16 half donation, children under 8 […]
Leadership
The Courage of Vulnerability*
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences … It is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené […]
The Seven Sacred Spaces
The monastic tradition, as lived out through its diverse buildings, offers us a lens to glimpse a richer way ‘to be church’ as well as insights into quality community and even the nature of being human. Come and explore what are called The Seven Sacred Spaces in a setting that offers windows into all of them.
Embracing Conflict
A chance to examine how you deal with life’s drama, and to learn from the example of Jesus. We’ll look at the gospels “through conflict lenses”, exploring the tensions that Jesus faced, and what it meant for him to embrace conflict. There will also be plenty of space for personal reflection and prayer. If you […]