I wonder how peaceful you are feeling at the moment. Peace isn't a naive ignoring of challenges, difficulties, risks or pain. It is an inner state of being, of groundedness. It is a state of hopefulness and long term optimism.
It is the stillness that provides a basis for action that is measured and proportionate to what is required. It allows deeper thinking and careful planning.
It is a stillness that is catching and that other's without realising find themselves more peaceful when they are with you.
Place has a part to play in finding inner stillness. I wonder if you have a part of your home, where you can go, that is not full of distractions, maybe a favourite chair, with a nice view. It is probably not the place where you do all your usual work.
People when they arrive at St Katharine's walk through reception into the beautiful grounds and although there is some of the background of East London noise around - these sounds seem to fall into the background and people don't notice them. They seem to feel the peace. Even more so on entering this chapel, which is a sanctuary within a sanctuary.
The high ceilings inspire us to look up and the light streaming through the windows, catching the sparking of the stained glass, is a beautiful setting. And the 14th Century carved wooden pews, give a sense of ancient connection to prayers that have been said over the centuries.
Many people are realising that the pressure of the last months in different ways, have led to a lack of peace and they are looking for support to reconnect to a source of inner peace.
Our individual and guided retreats are designed to help people find peace, whatever their spiritual background or beliefs. Even people who have never tried a retreat before can try it out in a safe and secure way with us. On our event pages you will see some of the upcoming led retreats that you can do in person or we can offer online from your own home. We also offer open retreats, without a guide when you can just come and use the space and we can offer you some resources or you can just bring your own. Please get in touch and our chaplain can help tailor something that can work for you.
We draw on centuries of wisdom in the Christian tradition for which peace is a key character.
The blessing that we use after every communion service is a good example of this.
May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his son Jesus Christ and the Blessing of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you all every more Amen.
YURT CAFE LATE DINING
As part of the governments eat out to help out scheme, our Yurt Cafe participated and began opening until 8.30pm in the evening. Our chefs designed a new menu and it has proved so popular that we decided to extend the opening times, Monday to Saturday until 8.30pm, for the foreseeable future. Our community really showed amazing support and for that we are really grateful. We provided music courtesy of Bryan Reyes Rodriquez on guitar and on other occasions the talented jazz pianist Raffy Bushman performed.
It has been wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces enjoying music and good food together at St.Katharine's.
We are thrilled to be welcoming back Will to RFSK to lead a quiet day with us on the 12th September.
This will be an amazing day as Will explores the area of Releasing Resilience and Finding Vision' ~ the overcoming of obstacles to meeting your potential.
With tickets available to join the day online or with limited numbers in person, this will be a wonderful way to step into the Autumn prayerfully and with some tools from Will to enable us to prayerfully release resilience and find vision BOOK TODAY HERE
Online £20
Accommodation
We have launched a very special offer just for recipients of the Newsletter to benefit from. We are offering a 20% discount on all individual accommodation bookings for September / October 2020 which are for 2 nights or more. These bookings are fully flexible and can be changed or cancelled upto 2 days before arrival.
Accommodation Promo Code: RFSK_2020
Accommodation Promotion link: HERE
OPEN REFLECTIVE DAYS.
Our Open Reflective Days are back !
With limited spaces and an amended offer we are pleased to be able to welcome individuals to come for their own personal reflective day with us on the second Monday of each month .
Early booking is recommended. More information HERE
Come and book a Personal Residential Retreat this autumn.
We look forward to welcoming you - For your own residential retreat with one of our lovely new en-suite chapel-side bedrooms.
You are welcome to join the RFSK regular services in our beautiful Chapel, take time in our urban oasis enjoying the garden, choose either full board or B&B options.
The sedum roof is now on and the stage is complete, created for our community by our gardener Stephen Sheil, our lead gardener and designer. Thanks to Al & Lavender for helping through one of the hottest weeks of the year! Already being used by talented performers and enjoyed by everyone attending our late dining evenings.
