Study Days, Retreats & Archive (bottom of page)

Pdf Study Day and Retreat / Pilgrimage Archive

For Lincoln Readers

and Authorised Lay Ministers
Association of Readers in the Diocese of Lincoln.
A Retreat for Readers and ALM’s.
A Reflection by Jackie Johnson… We recently held the Lay Ministers Retreat at Launde Abbey for ALMs and Readers, at which I spent some time offering a session on wellbeing. It was a wonderful experience, not because of what I said or did, but because of everyone’s enthusiastic engagement both with the material and fellow ministerial colleagues, because of the discussion and general buzz in the room, and the laughter too; people were obviously happy to be together. I wish I could have stayed longer, it was a real pick-me-up. Please invite me back next time! I shouldn’t be surprised that Christians were enjoying time together, but, well, we are quite good at concealing our appreciation of and love for our sisters and brothers in Christ. Sometimes, an atmosphere of pessimism pervades which can be a bit of a challenge; we’re good at accentuating the negative and failing to acknowledge the positive in each other. But, when we do stop, and immerse ourselves in God and give attention to each other, we unexpectedly stumble upon an affinity, a kinship, which is hugely attractive to those seeking a place of friendship and belonging. My short glimpse into the Lay Ministers Retreat this place of prayerful reflection and learning was enough to make me think that, had someone been looking in for a company of which to be a part, one in which they could see and experience God’s love for them, one which evidenced an enthusiasm for the faith, and for ministerial vocation, then this event would have drawn them through the doors to ask, ‘Can I join you?’ Ultimately, part of our job as Christians is to exercise our faith in such a way that we help to make God tangible, visible, knowable. In John 13: 34- 35, we hear Jesus say, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NRSV). So, in your gathering for prayer and worship, in your times of learning about the faith you profess, in your times of seeking and reflection, I pray you may experience something of what I found at the Lay Ministers Retreat something that’s a real tonic for you, and enticing enough for others to say, ‘Can I join in?’
Retreat at Launde Abbey 2023
Pilgrimage, Retreat and Study Day material - 2013 to 2022 below
For Lincoln Readers & Authorised Lay Ministers

Study Days, Retreats & Archive (bottom of page)

Association of Readers in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Pdf Study Day and Retreat / Pilgrimage Archive:
A Reflection by Jackie Johnson… We recently held the Lay Ministers Retreat at Launde Abbey for ALMs and Readers, at which I spent some time offering a session on wellbeing. It was a wonderful experience, not because of what I said or did, but because of everyone’s enthusiastic engagement both with the material and fellow ministerial colleagues, because of the discussion and general buzz in the room, and the laughter too; people were obviously happy to be together. I wish I could have stayed longer, it was a real pick-me-up. Please invite me back next time! I shouldn’t be surprised that Christians were enjoying time together, but, well, we are quite good at concealing our appreciation of and love for our sisters and brothers in Christ. Sometimes, an atmosphere of pessimism pervades which can be a bit of a challenge; we’re good at accentuating the negative and failing to acknowledge the positive in each other. But, when we do stop, and immerse ourselves in God and give attention to each other, we unexpectedly stumble upon an affinity, a kinship, which is hugely attractive to those seeking a place of friendship and belonging. My short glimpse into the Lay Ministers Retreat this place of prayerful reflection and learning was enough to make me think that, had someone been looking in for a company of which to be a part, one in which they could see and experience God’s love for them, one which evidenced an enthusiasm for the faith, and for ministerial vocation, then this event would have drawn them through the doors to ask, ‘Can I join you?’ Ultimately, part of our job as Christians is to exercise our faith in such a way that we help to make God tangible, visible, knowable. In John 13: 34-35, we hear Jesus say, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NRSV). So, in your gathering for prayer and worship, in your times of learning about the faith you profess, in your times of seeking and reflection, I pray you may experience something of what I found at the Lay Ministers Retreat something that’s a real tonic for you, and enticing enough for others to say, ‘Can I join in?’
Retreat at Launde Abbey 2023
Pilgrimage, Retreat and Study Day material - 2013 to 2022 below