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Silence and Retreats Network
Core Group members:
Convener: Revd David Bunney
Mr Mark Argent, Revd Meriel Chippindale, Mrs Glenys Cockerell, Mr Alan Fox
Revd Gill Jackson, Revd Brenda Stephenson
1 The task of the Silence and Retreats Network is to encourage members of the United Reformed Church in their use of silence both in public worship in our churches and in private devotions and the use of retreats. We seek to provide a point of contact both nationally and in each District and Synod from which members can begin to explore and to deepen their experience of spirituality, to the benefit of Church life and individual understanding of the presence of things holy.
2 The Convener represents the United Reformed Church on the executive committee of the Retreat Association, sharing with almost all the major Christian denominations. The work of the Network comes within the remit of the Doctrine, Prayer and Worship Committee, and we are also represented on the CTE Spirituality Co‑ordinating Group. We are thus engaged in preparing for the forthcoming national conference of the Retreat Association at Swanwick in May, 2004.
3 We have continued to draw interest from all part of the United Reformed Church, from both ordained and lay‑people. There is now a Link Person in each Synod, and we hope soon to have a representative in each District too. An increasing number of those involved with the Network are trained Spiritual Directors, giving service both within and beyond our own denomination in quiet days, retreats and training; such activities are increasingly becoming an expected part of the student curriculum, in Continuing Ministerial Education and individually. One retired minister, Revd Keith Green, sits on the editorial board of ‘Retreats’, whilst under Alan Fox’s editorship our thrice‑yearly newsletter ‘Windows’ gains increasing acknowledgement.
4 The Core Group members and Synod links meet in conference each Spring at the Windermere Centre for the exchange of news and experiences and also for a short time of retreat. Particular thanks is due to the Revd Gill Jackson for her careful and thorough work in regard to membership records and subscriptions. Gaining just one member from each of our Districts in the coming year would enrich the worshipping life of our churches enormously!
5 The world has given us much to pray about in the past twelve months, and doubtless will do so again in the coming year. The remarkable catch‑phrase use by the Retreat Association for last year’s National Quiet Day (Stop! In the name of God!) has found repeated relevance in recent history, drawing added attention both to the need and the opportunities to withdraw and to pray. In the maelstrom of this world’s so‑called progress, it is even more important that we should find and hold on to ‘the peace which the world cannot give’. We are part of your Church and we exist to help its members to do just that.
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