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Silence and Retreats NetworkCore Group Convener: The Revd Sue Henderson Treasurer: The Revd G Jackson The Revds Ruth Crofton, Franziska Herring, Jane Weedon, Mr Mark Argent
1 In this report last year we noted that we suspected that a time of change might be upon Silence and Retreats Network. This has proved to be the case. Linking into what we believe are signs that spirituality, however defined and understood, is rising up the church’s agenda, and responding to the expressed needs of many of those involved, we have met with others to try to mark out possible ways of responding to the challenge.
2 During the Windermere retreat in 2005 we were prepared for change by first becoming more aware of the great affirming gifts which silence and reflection bring to ourselves and to all who make the inner journey. At the same time we were challenged to wait; to resist forcing a way down a path which we never the less believed was opening up to us. And the time for action has happened and we have decided to become actively involved in the next exploratory stage of a process, which we hope will lead towards the formation of some kind of committed Prayer Fellowship, which will be supportive of the individuals who decide to join it. The Fellowship will be an integral part of the Silence and Retreats Network and with the Core Group and Synod Links, will explore how we can enable a deepening of the prayer life of the church. A conference over the first weekend in Advent is being planned to facilitate this move, a move which will impel further change to the Network.
3 In response to this initiative, the Windermere retreat this year has seen the formation of a new mission statement (see below) which reflects a broader self understanding as a group of people engaged in the promotion of spirituality in all its aspects and forms. Silent prayer and retreating remain important and the network will continue to promote them; but they are simply two elements within a huge richness of devotional practices which the Reformed tradition can call upon to develop its life in God, who is himself the central purpose of our being Christians in the first place.
4 An almost completely new Core Group has been chosen, largely from the Synod Link people, along with a new convenor and ‘Windows’ editor, to guide this process. Being formed from Synod Links, the core group will be more in touch with what is happening at the ‘coal face’ in the Synods and so can reflect concerns in both directions – between the synods and those involved in the development of the prayer fellowship.
5 It seems that there exciting times ahead, then, so keep watching this space and keep a look out for the advertising material for the November Conference which should be appearing at this year’s Assembly.
Silence and Retreats Network Mission Statement: The Silence and Retreats Network exists to resource people in the United Reformed Church who seek to deepen and broaden prayer life, including stillness and reflection. Synod Links work to extend this vision as widely as possible.
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