Spiritual Adaptation to Climate and Extinction Emergencies

15+ places, £310
Persons under 35 qualify for £100 reduction
Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd February
Led by Rupert Read
We need to accept that our way of life will be changed forever as a result of the climate crisis, which is now far too advanced for us to be able to prevent or entirely mitigate against it. That means adapting to the new brutal reality of the changed Earth, which is no easy task. Partly material, partly spiritual, such adaptation needs to include grief-work plus a major change in values and what we hope for. It also includes a new humility. This short course focuses uncompromisingly on spiritual adaptation to the reality of our present and future. Rupert is an associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia; he is a former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and the author of several books including Why Climate Breakdown Matters and Do you want to know the truth? He has been a Quaker for many years and his spiritual teachers have included Joanna Macy and Thich Nhat Hanh. Course starts 8:15pm on Friday and finishes at 12.00pm on Sunday.

A Writing Retreat

In Partnership with Woodbrooke
12 places, £565
Monday 10th – Friday 14th March
Led by Ben Pink Dandelion and John Gray
Needing time to write and wishing to do so in community? Set in beautiful and quiet surroundings, this retreat is open to anyone looking for a space and time for writing, whether starting a new project, or to take forward and finish off a current piece. Ben Pink Dandelion is Woodbrooke’s Programme Leader for research. Ben’s specialism is in the sociology of religion although he has been published in history, theology, spirituality, travel and urban studies. John Gray works as an organising facilitator, coach and supervisor, and is an Associate at the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights. He attends Friargate Meeting in York.

Springtime Song and Silence

15+ places, £505
Monday 31st March – Friday 4th April
Led by Meri Goad
This invigorating break welcomes all voices who love to sing! Join us to let go of concerns, learn new songs and relax into singing simple harmonies, as well as enjoying guided meditations or taking time out to explore the local area. No need to be able to read music; previous singing experience is helpful but not necessary. Song includes unaccompanied rounds and simple part songs from a range of traditions and culture. Meri has led two small community choirs for thirteen years. A vibrant and energetic facilitator, she can help anyone who thinks they can’t sing to find a voice. Meri has a diploma in Music and BA Humanities.

Boot, Boat and Goat

Two places, £565
Monday 7th – Friday 11th April
Led by Terry Winterton and Grace Ogilvie
We shall visit various parts of the Lake district by mini-bus. The holiday is suitable for those, both able and less able, who would welcome the companionship of a small group. There will be a short gentle walk and a cruise on a lake every day. We shall also visit an old Quaker Meeting House, beautiful gardens and places of interest. Stout footwear and suitable clothing will be required-also walking poles if needed. All excursion and entrance costs are included. The course finishes Friday after breakfast.

Margaret Fell: The Mother of Quakerism

In Partnership with Woodbrooke
Seven places, £285
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th April
Led by Stuart Masters
This course will explore the life, writing and legacy of Margaret Fell, the ‘ Mother of Quakerism’ we will consider the contribution she made to the formation of the early Quaker movement as an organiser, counsellor, lobbyist and writer, and look at a selection of her works including epistles, disputations, political addresses and theological facts. This material will help you gain a deeper understanding of early Friends, and Fell’s vital role in ensuring the movements survival. Stuart Masters was previously Woodbrooke’s Programme Coordinator for History and Theology. His book, The Rule of Christ: Themes in the Theology of James Nayler, was published in June 2021 as part of the Brill Quaker Research Perspectives series.

Time with the Texts

In Partnership with Woodbrooke
14 places, £285
Friday 30th May – Sunday 1st June
Led by Ben Pink Dandelion
This course will allow participants to engage with critical moments in Quaker history through some of the key texts. What do we make of them and what can we learn from the past that can help feed our spiritual lives today? Ben Pink Dandelion is Woodbrooke’s Programme Leader for Research. Ben’s specialism is in the sociology of religion although has been published in history, theology, spirituality, travel and urban studies.

Circle Dancing

This course is now full, £500
Monday 9th – Friday 13th June
Led by Anne-Lise Kryger
This course welcomes people with experience as well as newcomers to circle dancing. It is an inclusive form of community dancing where no partners are required. The dances we do are drawn from many countries and cultures. They are always walked through before dancing. We dance for our pleasure and enjoyment in a supportive group with no pressure to ‘get every step right.’ The pace of the dances varies from lively to meditative and leaves participants with a sense of belonging, joy and inner peace. The afternoons will be free to explore the delights of our surroundings. Anne- Lise continues to attend workshops bringing new dances and cultural flavours to her groups and numerous holidays, she leads nationally and abroad. She uses circle dancing as a way of bringing people together in a community. Course begins Monday 8.30pm and finishes Friday 11.45pm.

Tai-Chi and Chi Kung Silk Reeling

15 places, £300
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June
Led by Kim – Noy Jackson
We will introduce the practice through exercise, meditations and the teaching of the theoretical and philosophical aspects of Tai-Chi and Chi Kung Silk Reeling. Most of the sessions are practical, with body and mind exercises, in beautiful surroundings. Please bring suitable clothing and shoes for indoors and outdoors. The retreat will suit novices and skilled students from all disciplines and abilities. Kim is a Quaker and has had a passion for practising and teaching the art of Tai-Chi and Chi Kung Silk Reeling for 30 years. The course begins Friday 5.00pm and finishes Sunday 12.00pm.

Life, Death and Afterlife

12 places £525
Monday 23rd – Friday 27th June
Led by Rhonda Riachi
What happens to us when we die? Where was I before I was born? Quakers have collected convincing evidence, from the 17th century through to the present, of what happens at death before we arrive on earth. We’ll explore personal testimony in the Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies (QFAS) anthology, The Life That Never Ends, and share inspiring accounts from other times and texts, including international scientific research. Rhonda Riachi works in professional health education. She has followed developments in near- death experience and survival research for 22 years and is a member of QFAS and the Friends Fellowship of Healing.

Guide to a Blissful Way of Life

15 places, £300
Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June
Led by Adam Dacey
Experience a transformative journey where you’ll engage in a series of meditations to enhance the bliss within your mind. Learn the art of meditation to unlock a profound sense of inner peace and joy. Delve into practises designed to cultivate a light and enjoyable experience, guiding you towards happiness from a natural, non- material source. If you seek to discover true happiness within, join this weekend for an enriching retreat experience that will leave you rejuvenated and inspired.

Connecting with Plants

12 places, £530
Monday 7th – Friday 11th July
Led by Letta Jones

With local short, easy walks we will explore wild and garden plants growing in the local area. Grassland, woodland, garden, hedges and stream water side habitats, all provide a rich variety of plants to discover. We hope to arrange a visit to a local museum to study natural history of historical specimens/illustrations. You will need to be able to stand for 15 to 20 minutes and negotiate uneven paths and slopes safely. Letta Jones, MA, is a lecturer in landscape horticulture who teaches in London at the City Lit, at Claridge House and Holehird Gardens in Windermere.

Exploring T.S Eliot’s The Four Quartets

12 places, £480
Monday 21st – Friday 25th July
Led by Barbara Windle
This course is for everyone, whether newcomers to the Four Quartets or already steeped in Eliot’s poetry. Some contextual background will aim to place Four Quartets within Eliot’s wider work and life; the first poem dates from 1935, while the remaining three were written during WW2, so they record his developing thoughts over ten crucial years. The main focus however, will be on immersing ourselves in each poem, with open discussion and sharing the different ways in which they speak to us. We shall aim for depth, striving to understand the poems individually before attempting to see them as a whole. Barbara’s working life was spent in schools in London, Bolton and York. Much of her career involved opening up her literature to pre- university teenagers. Since retirement she has been involved in many Quaker activities regionally and further afield.

Walking with the Alexander Technique

12 places, £435
Friday 25th – Monday 28th July
Led by Hilary Cook
Join Hilary in the stunning scenery of the Lake District to explore the Alexander Technique and walking. We will look at our skeleton through anatomy and movement discovering a more accurate map of ourselves. In addition, we will look at the principles of the Alexander Technique in a practical, fun and experiential way helping you improve your posture, de- stress, ease back ache as well as moving with less effort and tension. Hilary will also help you learn how to relax your eyes helping to improve your posture and vision. We will also apply the Alexander Technique to walking in the lovely garden at Glenthorne as well as low level walks in the local area. Afternoons will be free for you to explore the surrounding area (possibly putting into practice what you have learnt). Bring your waterproofs and walking boots. Hilary is a fully qualified, insured and experienced Alexander Technique teacher having completed her 3-year full time training at the Cumbria Alexander Training College in Kendal in 2000.

Sketching & Mixed Media Painting

FULL, £530
Monday 28th July– Friday 1st August
Led by Sue Ford
Mix media painting holiday, working in watercolours, acrylic, pastel and collage. Step by step teaching technique, suitable for all levels of painting, dependant on fitness levels and weather, we may do some outside sketching. A full itinerary and materials to bring will be issued before the course and is also issued on my website www.sueford.co.uk. If you are travelling by public transport, Sue can bring extra drawing boards and tables, please make us aware of this on booking.

Trees

12 places, £310
Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August
Led by Letta Jones
Exploring the local area’s magnificent trees, considering their history and country of origin and listing tips for identification. A trip to Rydal Hall is included, by public transport. Participants are invited to bring their favourite poem on trees to share. Letta Jones, MA, is a lecturer in landscape horticulture who teaches in London at the City Lit, at Claridge House and Holehird Gardens in Windermere.

Dru Yoga

FOUR places, £535
Monday 4th – Friday 8th August
Led by Julia Slater
A graceful style of yoga for all. There will be strengthening exercises for postural muscles, helping to stabilise and balance the spine. There will also be free time for waking, socialising and peace and quiet. Julia is a qualified yoga teacher, aroma therapist and reflexologist. We will gather together before the evening meal on Monday to meet and greet. There will be yoga sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Course finishes on Friday after breakfast.

Interpreting Jesus

12 places,£250
Persons under 35 qualify for £100 reduction
Friday 15th – Sunday 17th August
Led by Janet Scott
Who was Jesus and why is he important for us today? This course starts by asking what we can know of the historical Jesus, then looks at some of the interpretations in the four gospels: The king in God’s Kingdom, The New Moses Forming a new community, a prophet, the good shepherd, among many other descriptions. We also look at some interpretations in art and conclude by considering what aspects of the story of Jesus are most meaningful for us now.

Sketching & Mixed Media Painting

FIVE places left, £530
Monday 18th – Friday 22nd August
Led by Sue Ford
Mix media painting holiday, working in watercolours, acrylic, pastel and collage. Step by step teaching technique, suitable for all levels of painting, dependant on fitness levels and weather we may do some outside sketching. A full itinerary and materials to bring will be issued before the course and is also issued on my website www.sueford.co.uk. If you are travelling by public transport, Sue can bring extra drawing boards and tables, please make us aware of this on booking.

Circle Dancing

This course is now full £500
Monday 1st – Friday 5th September
Led by Anne-Lise Kryger
This course welcomes people with experience as well as newcomers to circle dancing. It is an inclusive form of community dancing where no partners are required. The dances we do are drawn from many countries and cultures. They are always walked through before dancing. We dance for our pleasure and enjoyment in a supportive group with no pressure to ‘get every step right.’ The pace of the dances varies from lively to meditative and leaves participants with a sense of belonging, joy and inner peace. The afternoons will be free to explore the delights of our surroundings. Anne-Lise continues to attend workshops to bringing new dances and cultural flavours to her groups and numerous holidays she leads nationally and abroad. She uses circle dancing as a way of bringing people together in community. Courses finishes 11.45am Friday.

Hearing God

12 places, £505
Monday 8th – Friday 12th September
Led by Terry Winterton
How do you find out what God is saying to you? How do you recognise God’s whispers, prompts and nudges? We will explore the many different ways that God has spoken in the past and is speaking to us today. There will be opportunities to share your experiences.
Terry has been the Friend in Residence at Glenthorne for over 11 years. He is a retired professional engineer, a BACP registered counsellor and a spiritual director. He has led many groups here at Glenthorne and has been co-chair of Churches Together in Ambleside and part of the Cumbria Ecumenical Spirituality Group, helping to plan and run courses on Spirituality.

Voices of the Earth

In Partnership with Woodbrooke
14 places, £295
Friday 19th – Sunday 21st September
Led by Zélie and Phillip Gross
A weekend of hands-on creative exploration, play and reflection seeking renewed perspectives for these complicated and unsettling times. Paying close attention to the world around us, we’ll work with visual media and writing to stir up familiar habits of thinking about the planet and humanity, through creating something new. We’ll work sometimes in collaboration, sometimes alongside in our own quiet concentration to shed light from many angles on a timely and earth- centred question: how do we start again from here? Throughout, we will stay grounded in our own direct experience as we seek for responses to a changing and endangered world. Phillip is committed to the principles of collaboration and disciplined playfulness in freeing the life of our words, he has worked with visual artists, dancers and musicians as well as fellow poets. Zélie is enthusiastic about enabling participants to discover their unique gifts and abilities, she brings her background in art teaching to a creative approach to learning. Course finishes Sunday 12.30pm.

Art, Spirit and Life

14 places, £530
Monday 22nd – Friday 26th September
Led by Erik Dries
No competition, no showing off, just the enjoyment of creating. And a little wondering about the relationship between art, spirituality and life. Each morning there is a short meeting for worship which you might like to attend. This will be followed by facilitated learning and exercises. After lunch, time to work on your own art and skills as well as just spend time outside. Some evenings I would like to have a worship sharing. Please bring your own art material. Erik has explored mainly watercolour, acrylic and digital media in his life as an artist. He has transformed the children’s room at his local Quaker meeting house in a forest, and has made games, calendars, postcards and bookmarks. He facilitates an Art retreat at Congénies, France

Centering Prayer

12 places, £260
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September
Led by Rosemary Field and Richard Eddleston
Centering prayer is a specific method for opening to the presence of God, the sacred, ultimate reality. It’s one of a range of personal spiritual practices available to Friends, and one that may be particularly suitable for us. The weekend will welcome those new to Centering Prayer and those with more experience. It will include introductory talks, time for reflection and sharing, and above all, practice. Richard has been a Quaker for over 30 years and has facilitated three local groups for over eight years. Rosemary has been practising Centering Prayer for seven years and believes it to be at the heart of her Quaker faith.

Boot, Boat and Goat

14 places, £565
Monday 29th September – Friday 3rd October
Led by Terry Winterton and Grace Ogilvie
We shall visit various parts of the Lake district by mini-bus. The holiday is suitable for those, both able and less able, who would welcome the companionship of a small group. There will be a short gentle walk and a cruise on a lake every day. We shall also visit an old Quaker Meeting House, beautiful gardens and places of interest. Stout footwear and suitable clothing will be required-also walking poles if needed. All excursion and entrance costs are included. The course finishes Friday after breakfast.

Circle Dancing

This course is now full, £500
Monday 6th – Friday 10th October
Led by Anne-Lise Kryger
This course welcomes people with experience as well as newcomers to circle dancing. It is an inclusive form of community dancing where no partners are required. The dances we do are drawn from many countries and cultures. They are always walked through before dancing. We dance for our pleasure and enjoyment in a supportive group with no pressure to ‘get every step right.’ The pace of the dances varies from lively to meditative and leaves participants with a sense of belonging, joy and inner peace. The afternoons will be free to explore the delights of our surroundings. Anne- Lise continues to attend workshops bringing new dances and cultural flavours to her groups and numerous holidays, she leads nationally and abroad. She uses circle dancing as a way of bringing people together in a community. Course finishes 11.45 pm Friday.

Taming the Tiger: Train Your Mind Through Meditation

15 places, £295
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th October
Led by Adam Dacey
In this context ‘taming the tiger’ metaphorically refers to gaining control over one’s inner struggles, emotions and thoughts, much like taming a powerful and potentially dangerous animal. Our mind has the power to make us happy or unhappy, patient or angry, uplifted or depressed; if we learn to skilfully tame it in meditation, we have the power and mental freedom to direct our life towards peace, happiness and content. These retreats will provide inspiration, guidance and encourage to tame the tiger within.

What has Wordsworth to Offer us Today?

12 places, £480
Monday 27th – Friday 31st October
Led by Barbara Windle
Wordsworth’s poetry offers strong feeling and sensibility, combined with rich meditative thought and spiritual awareness. His openness to mystical experience in its very broadest sense, strikes a chord with us today as he moves beyond conventional labels to find the deep places within himself. Our sessions include an opportunity to explore a fresh, in depth look at the Immortality Ode, Tintern Abbey, Michael, parts of The Prelude and The Excursion. Barbara is a Quaker and an inspirational English teacher. Course finishes Friday 12.00 pm.

Sketching & Mixed Media Painting

12 places, £410
Friday 28th November – Monday 1st December
Led by Sue Ford
Mix media painting holiday, working in watercolours, acrylic, pastel and collage. Step by step teaching technique, suitable for all levels of painting, dependant on fitness levels and weather, we may do some outside sketching. A full itinerary and materials to bring will be issued before the course and is also issued on my website www.sueford.co.uk. If you are travelling by public transport, Sue can bring extra drawing boards and tables, please make us aware of this on booking.