
Witney Parish Retreat 2025
Theme: A Journey Beside Still Waters: Reflections on Psalm 23
Dates: from lunchtime Wednesday 2nd April to lunchtime Friday 4th April
Venue: St Mary’s Convent, Denchworth Road, Wantage, OX12 9AU.
Overview
A retreat is an opportunity to refresh and nourish your spirit by spending time with God and fellow Christians. It is a break from the world, yet also a time of renewal where everything is provided for you.
The retreat will include moments of silence to help us listen to God, as well as communal prayers with the nuns and shared exploration together with six speaker led sessions on Psalm 23.
Those attending can follow their own path between silence, contemplation and structured activities such as worship with the sisters and speaker led sessions.
Schedule
All sessions take place in the Dali Lama Room
Wednesday 2nd April
- 12:30 Arrival and Welcome
- 13:00 Lunch
- 16:00 Session 1 Psalm 23:1 The Lord is My Shepherd led by Hester Jones
- 17:00 Vespers in tba.
- 18:00 Supper
- 19:15 Session 2 Psalm 23:2 Lying Down in Green Pastures led by Liz Johnson
- Compline – 8.00pm
Thursday 3rd April
- 06:30 Lauds
- 07:45 – 09:00 Breakfast
- 08:45 Terce
- 10:00 Eucharist
- 11:15 Session 3 Psalm 23:3 He Restores My Soul led by Jeremy Lasman
- 12:30 Sext
- 13:00 Lunch
- 16:00 Session 4 Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil led by Mark Thomas
- 17:00 Vespers
- 18:00 Supper
- 19:15 Session 5 Psalm 23:5 You Prepare a Table led by Jacky Bone
- 20:00 Compline
Friday 4th April
- 06:30 Lauds
- 07:45 – 09:00 Breakfast
- 08:45 Terce
- 10:00 Eucharist in tba
- 11:15 Closing Session Psalm 23:6 Goodness and Mercy led by Richard Young
- 12:30 Sext
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Depart
Session Format
- Summary of previous session
- Overview of this session
- Re-read Psalm 23 in each session
- Speaker led activities
Cost
Residential for two nights on Wed & Thu including
- a room breakfast, dinner and
- lunch on arrival (Wed) and departure (Fri) and
Two room options
- Standard room: £172.50
- en-suite room: £192.50
You can opt to join the retreat for any one day including lunch at a cost of £30.00
About St Mary’s Convent
St Mary’s Convent is set within peaceful grounds on the edge of Oxfordshire market town, Wantage. Guests are welcome to join the Sisters for the Daily Office and Eucharist in St Mary Magdalene’s Chapel. The larger St Mary’s Chapel is open for guests to use for private prayer and reflection.
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