THU
4
“Stand at the crossroads and look. Look for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.”
Run over 2 days for small groups of up to 8 people and facilitated by 2 experienced coaches, this retreat provides a unique space for people at a crossroads in life to pause, step back and reflect on where they are, the questions they find themselves in, what they really want and how to take steps forward. The crossroads could be vocational, such as a career change, or relational, such as divorce or separation. It could be a significant interruption in life from a change of circumstances or health, or simply a sense of wanting something different from life.
SUN
7
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
8
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
SAT
13
The resurrection story begins with the disciples’ broken hearts and lost hopes, and then opens up into a series of astonishing meetings with the risen Jesus, which change their lives and ours. But these profoundly mysterious, open-ended encounters can leave us with more questions than answers.
In this reflective day we will take time to explore and contemplate Jesus’s resurrection appearances, focusing in particular on the meals that Jesus shares with his disciples, and what it might mean for us to live as the followers of the risen Jesus in the 21st century.
The Venerable Tricia Hillas is Canon Steward at Westminster Abbey, Archdeacon of Westminster and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, where she provides pastoral care for Members and staff of the Palace of Westminster.
SAT
20
Brian Draper returns to RFSK to lead a quiet day in which, through an inspiring mix of guided reflection, contemplative practice and personal space, we’ll explore how we encounter God ‘in the Midst’ of all that’s going on in our lives.
Come for space to breathe and be, but also to be equipped to ‘go’ – to carry a sacred spaciousness with you, into the midst of a world hungry for deeper encounter.
Brian Draper is based in Winchester where he loves to get outside into the inspiring countryside – whether to run, work or play! A contributor to BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day and author of Soulfulness: Deepening the Mindful Life he has recently co-written Soulful Nature: A spiritual field guide with the botanist Howard Green, exploring how our deeper connection with nature unearths our own soulful nature in the process.
FRI
3
This gentle and creative retreat provides a perfect space to take some time to ponder the main themes of Pentecost. We will be working with the elemental themes of wind, water and fire to create simple artistic responses to what we discover as the weekend unfolds.
No previous artistic experience is needed, and all materials will be provided, though you are most welcome to bring any amount of your own paints, paper, brushes etc that you wish.
Sophie Hacker is a professional artist and experienced tutor and retreat leader. Her practice specialises in church commissions, which include stained glass, textiles, bronze, silver and painting.
SAT
4
Experience immersive rejuvenating frequencies from an array of captivating sounds, including Himalayan Singing Bowls, Gongs, Drums & Percussion bringing you into a state of relaxation, reflection and Christian prayer.
Dan Bilbrough a.k.a Sekrit brings his expert skills as a Sound Therapist, as well as a touring musician and recording artist, to curate sounds of a deep sense of peace, enrichment, harmony and connection with God.
The programme will contain a number of different sessions throughout the day with a time for sharing and a Q & A to end with.
SAT
11
A climate retreat: a day for those who care for the environment to come, get refreshed and re-envisioned
The naturalist Aldo Leopold said back in 1949, 'One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds'. If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by this 'world of wounds' then this retreat day is for you. Come and meet others who also care and have time with them and on your own to be explore how we can live with resilience and hope in our world of crisis.
Ruth Valerio is Global Advocacy and Influencing Director at Tearfund. An environmentalist, theologian and social activist.
SUN
12
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
13
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
WED
15
We're pleased to announce the return of Women Sing East to St Katharine on the 15th May! Last July, their amazing performance filled our chapel with warmth and melody.
Women Sing East is a long established community choir based in Tower Hamlets, offering a diverse repertoire including pop, jazz, folk, world, and classical music.
Join us for an evening filled with harmony and joy!
SUN
9
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
10
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
FRI
14
Whether we have always been believers, or are trying to grapple with faith, there are stories in the Bible which have the potential to deeply influence us, positively or negatively. In this retreat we will reflect on some well known texts in search of hidden meaning, and some stories rarely read in public which may be very liberating.
John Bell is a preacher, hymnwriter, composer, lecturer and broadcaster, and will lead this residential retreat.
John is a Resource Worker with The Iona Community, who lectures, preaches and conducts seminars across the denominations around the world. He is a hymn writer, author and occasional broadcaster, but retains a primary passion for congregational song. John is based in Glasgow and works with his colleagues in the areas of music, worship and spirituality. He is a founding member of the Wild Goose group.
Stay in one of our lovely en-suite bedrooms - full board
SUN
7
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
8
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
THU
18
The Royal Foundation of St Katharine have been working with the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln to co-create a strengths-based retreat for senior leaders.
This two-day residential retreat will draw upon Character Strengths Psychology to provide evidence-based insights and practical exercises on how to lead authentically and effectively.
It will introduce the 24 positive qualities of character – like wisdom, self-control, gratitude and love – shown by thousands of scientific studies to create a flourishing life and productive work, and demonstrate how using our own unique character strengths can change not only our mood state, but the whole social system in which we lead.
SAT
20
An online retreat from the Chapel and gardens of The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, with Steve Radley.
Both cost and time can make it hard to travel away for a retreat, so St Katharine’s bring this retreat into your home.
Join us for 2 hours to explore how your smartphone can help you notice God within the ordinary, build relationships and quieten our minds, centring us in the present moment. We can only ever meet God in the present which is where God’s renewal always starts and progresses from.
Stephen Radley is an Anglican priest, professional photographer and members ambassador for the Guild of Photographers. A military veteran, he found healing from his military experiences through photography. In 2021 he was awarded the Amateur Photographer Magazine Unsung Hero Award.
SAT
20
A Discernment Day – how do I discover my next step or my vocation?
The Church of England adopted Andy’s discernment model from his Grove book Discovering my next Step republishing it as Life is for giving. During this day Andy will explore the five pieces of his discernment jigsaw enabling participants to reflect deeply on where God has brought them and where he may be taking them next. A great day for anyone wondering about how and where God may be calling them.
Andy Rider is a bi-vocational Anglican priest working in London’s East End and as Director of a Langley Trust. For over 30 years he has ministered in central and east London largely with young people many of whom he has had the privilege of accompanying as they discern God’s call on their life, into new areas of work, relationship, leadership and professional ministry.
SUN
11
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
12
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
SAT
4
A Study and Reflection Day Praying the Psalms through Joy and Sorrow
The Psalms are the ancient prayer book of the people of God and have been prayed daily for more than 2500 years. During this day we will reflect on the lasting power of the Psalms and how they can contribute to our prayer life today. During the day there will be lots of input but also space for reflection and personal prayer.
Paula Gooder is a writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. Her research areas focus on the writings of Paul the Apostle, with a particular focus on 2 Corinthians and on Paul’s understanding of the Body.
SUN
8
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
9
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
SAT
14
We are delighted to welcome Jill to lead a quiet day with us. 24-7 Prayer has a vision to create a Hub for the 24-7 Prayer Movement, a Home for the global network of 24-7 Communities (including the Order of the Mustard Seed), and a local House of Prayer, Mission and Justice. Their mission is to bring renewal and resource to the Church, to be a place where God’s purposes are birthed, and leaders and ministries are incubated.
Jill Weber is Director of Houses of Prayer at 24-7, married to Kirk and they have one daughter. Jill is the Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, trained spiritual director and a writer. She loves walks in nature and is passionate about helping others to be awake to the presence and activity of God.
THU
3
Personal Residential Retreat including time with a Spiritual Director
The Royal Foundation is offering an opportunity to come for a personal one-night residential retreat with an opportunity to meet 1:1 with a listener.
Come and stay with us so as to enjoy the chance to step aside and spend some time pausing, reflecting, seeking and praying.
We are delighted to confirm our listener for this retreat will be Mary Monfries who is an experienced Spiritual Director and experienced retreat guide.
SUN
13
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
14
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
THU
17
When God invites us into an unknown place it takes courage to step away from the familiar busyness and demands of every day life. Come and join this residential retreat where we will reflect creatively on four areas of our lives: soul, body, companions, voice. Step into the spaciousness and discover what this divine invitation reveals and yields for you, and us.
Grace Owen is a Spiritual Director, Retreat Facilitator and Life Writer. Grace is a companion to those who desire to mature in their relationship with God and enable the greater flourishing of people and planet through accelerating social justice impact.
Stay in one of our lovely en-suite bedrooms - full board
FRI
18
We are delighted to welcome back Richard as he leads this residential retreat with us.
Richard is Associate Vicar for Mission at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. His ministry includes working closely with those who are homeless, and refugees and pastoral care of the many people who come through the doors of the church on the edge of London's most public square.
Richard Carter is the founder of the Nazareth Community whose members gather from everyday life to seek God in contemplation and to learn to live generously. He is the author of The City is My Monastery: A Contemporary Rule of Life and most recently Letters from Nazareth: A Contemplative Journey Home.
Richard leads many retreats and quiet days and is a regular contributor on BBC Radio 4.
THU
24
“Stand at the crossroads and look. Look for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.”
Run over 2 days for small groups of up to 8 people and facilitated by 2 experienced coaches, this retreat provides a unique space for people at a crossroads in life to pause, step back and reflect on where they are, the questions they find themselves in, what they really want and how to take steps forward. The crossroads could be vocational, such as a career change, or relational, such as divorce or separation. It could be a significant interruption in life from a change of circumstances or health, or simply a sense of wanting something different from life.
SUN
3
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
4
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
THU
21
“Be still and know.”
This retreat is about helping you to more habitually find a place of calm within you that has you able to be less reactive and more aware of your choices in life. Run over 2 days for small groups of up to 8 people and facilitated by 2 experienced coaches, it will give you the opportunity to find real space in your life, to reconnect to what really matters to you and equip you with simple everyday practices that help you strengthen and maintain an inner peace and stillness in the face of whatever life throws at you.
SAT
16
Finding soulfulness in a digital world
The power of technology has revolutionised the way we work and connect with the world.
How do we appreciated all the positive aspects of the digital world, whilst protecting ourselves from what causes harm to our souls? During this day we can disconnect from the virtual world and reconnect with ourselves, to power down and recharge.
Roger Preece is Master of the Royal Foundation of St Katharine and an experienced executive coach. As a former IT Director with a degree in electrical engineering, he is fascinated by all things technical, but has been reflecting for many years on the unintended consequences of the digital revolution to create harm to ourselves and to society.
SAT
30
Unmaking Mary: The myth of divine motherhood
For 2,000 years, the Virgin Mary has been depicted throughout art, literature and culture as symbolising the perfect mother: chaste, beautiful, meek, mild and white. These supposed virtues and symbols have shaped not just Christianity but wider popular culture; and have contributed to harmful views about motherhood and what it is to be a woman. This retreat will offer a time for reflection on the impacts of these tropes on us, and attempt to create a space to exhale; freeing ourselves from the burden of perfection.
Chine is Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She was previously Head of Public Engagement at Christian Aid and spent two decades working in journalism, media and communications across faith, media and international development.
FRI
6
The Christian year begins not with the great feasts of Christmas, Easter or Pentecost but with waiting. Advent is in many ways a stark season - a time to be in touch with our deepest desires and needs. It is a season of longing directed towards Christ, revealed as God-with-us, Emmanuel. Advent is a season of waiting, but in hope and in expectation.
Christopher Chapman is an experienced retreat leader and spiritual director. is an experienced retreat leader and spiritual director. He is a guest director at St. Beuno’s Jesuit Retreat Centre and an associate tutor at St. Augustine’s College of Theology. He is the author of Seeing in the Dark, Earthed in God and Send My Roots Rain. Christopher is a guest director at St. Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre and an associate tutor at St. Augustine’s College of Theology.
SUN
8
Come and enjoy our StaySunday offer which allows you to experience a full 24 hour residential retreat with our Open Reflective Days.
Stay in one of our lovely new Chapelside en suite single bedrooms B&B.
Kindly note that places are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
MON
9
We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life.
You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project you need to focus on. Most people choose to begin their day by joining the welcome meditation.
During the day you are welcome to join our optional services held in our Chapel.
Option to StaySunday
You can stay over on Sunday through to the Open Reflective Day on Monday to enjoy a full 24 hours residential retreat experience.
Kindly note that places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click the link below for more info on how to book.
SUN
1
Come along to our highly anticipated Christmas Market! In partnership with Urban Makers we'll have a selection of stalls.
We'll also have arts and crafts games for the families, alongside our Christmas tree sale and community carols for all to enjoy!
The Royal Foundation of St Katharine
2 Butcher Row, London, E14 8DS
COPYRIGHT 2023 The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine | Registered Charity No. 223849