‘The only difference between saints and sinners is that every saint has a past while every sinner has a future.’ — Oscar Wilde
In keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Doing Our Best?’ this engagement group will provide an opportunity to reflect on our humanity and our divinity – our wholeness – and to befriend both our inner sinner and inner saint. In a spirit of ‘both/and’ we will get in touch with the heights and depths of our oh-so-human potential: for love and hate; creativity and cruelty; caring and carelessness; beauty and brokenness. This contemplative group will give us a chance to grapple with our contradictions and the fact that most of us are a bit of a mixed bag! Through guided reflection, prayer, and sharing, we will take a loving look at the real, and hold ourselves in self-compassion as we go. Participants will be encouraged to do a small amount of preparation in order to get the most out of the group (we will send a worksheet to ponder a few weeks before arrival).

While the storms around us rage, this Engagement Group will ask what it means to offer shelter to others and to receive shelter ourselves. We will explore our own navigation of what is ours to do with our ‘one wild and precious life’ (Mary Oliver) in this wild and precious world. We will consider shelter not as a withdrawing from the world, but as an opportunity to seek depth to support us and others as we return to the challenges of the world with renewed commitment and integrity. We will reflect on how we might challenge and change the harmful views and behaviours of ourselves and of others in order to live our lives with greater integrity. Through gentle ritual, directed time for thought and reflection, and focussed sharing, this group will provide a space for quiet and hopeful reflection. Holding the struggles and storms of our world close to our hearts, we will gently question and challenge our own place in these storms and our own hopes and aspirations for shelter. Using wisdom from the Bible and beyond we will reflect on how others have navigated the world, and how we might do so too. We hope that we will all leave this group with a renewed sense of purpose and direction, and with a healthy sense of our own contribution to the world we dream of seeing.

We will be exploring ideas around being good enough, doing what we can with what with have. We will begin by exploring personal and theological perspective. Looking at our starting points, where we begin, what are our foundational beliefs. What weighs us down, inhibits from being all that we can be. Discussing ideas around “Original Blessing” as opposed to “Original Sin”. Exploring other theological positions and traditions views of human nature and the nature of life. How we can grow and thrive and see life as a blessing and our capacity to become blessing in life. That failure and falling short is a good thing, so long as we have to faith to begin again in love. That love and Grace call us on. We will explore “Grace” from several perspectives. How we can be at ease with who we are. We will look outward at our world, at the gift of this life. Exploring ways in which we can give from our own hearts, from a place of goodness. To become blessings. Tina and Danny will bring their own perspectives and encourage participants to explore and share theirs. Tina bringing a Hindu perspective and Danny a 12 Step one. Although we will be exploring serious matters, we will attempt to create an atmosphere of joyfulness and playfulness at times. We take what we do seriously, without taking ourselves too seriously. We will explore using personal sharing, solitary reflection and group discussion. Incorporating some music, song and gentle ritual. Offering a variety of media to aid our explorations. Tina and Danny will be accompanied by Molly the dog.

How do we discern a way to live with ourselves, as we really are and live out our own way in the world? In this online group Lizzie and Jennifer invite you into the space of the ‘examined life’, to explore parts of ourselves using the gentle grace of self-acceptance. We may find things we are uncomfortable with, along with those we hold dear and can celebrate – and even our deepest shadows are places where light can lead us into growth. This warm, and accepting group will use music, poetry, creative time, meditation, self-reflection and group sharing to help you find a comfortable balance between change and acceptance. [Note: we will meet at the same time as residential groups are meeting, from 10.45am-1pm Saturday to Thursday, and we ask all participants to commit to setting aside the time to attend all six sessions].

‘Those who do the most growing in this life are those who offer the most compassion to the parts of themselves that have not yet grown.’ – Andrea Gibson
In a world that calls us to ‘do our best,’ how do we hold ourselves with kindness while still growing into the people we long to be? In this online engagement group we’ll explore the interplay between self-compassion and having accountability within each of the communities that we’re involved with. Together, we will reflect on how making personal covenants and group agreements can guide us into right relationship with others. Through reflection, small group sharing and simple creative exercises we will explore: what supports us when life feels uncertain; how do we stay in a healthy relationship with others; and how our choices connect us with something larger than ourselves. Throughout the week, you will be guided in shaping a personal ‘credo’ or affirmation that supports your daily life. We’ll also experiment with easy online tools to gather our shared insights and learn from one another. [Note: we will meet at the same time as residential groups are meeting, from 10.45am-1pm Saturday to Thursday, and we ask all participants to commit to setting aside the time to attend all six sessions].

Details TBC