Restival: an Invitation into Sacred Pause

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Restival is a day long immersion in nature, a space to simply be and to return to the Source of our Being

Wednesday, May 14 · 10:30am – 3:30pm – Lynn Farm, Lynn N91KX5H

Book by clicking HERE

In a world where rest is considered idleness, a luxury we can’t afford, or a segment of the wellness industry that sometimes feels like another cog in the machine, what does it mean to take a sacred pause, and bring compassionate presence to all that is here?

Join us for a day spent in nature, returning to a sense of ourselves and a sense of God’s presence with us, in us and manifest in the wonder of nature all around us.

“Return to your rest, O my soul.” Psalm 116:7a

Once you have booked, you will receive an eircode, info about where to park, what to bring, who the facilitators are and more about their sessions, etc.

Here is an itinerary of the day, where everything is invitational and a gateway into sacred rest.

Arrival, welcome, hot & cold drinks, settling in 10.30am

Opening circle & Mindful walk around the grounds 11am – 12pm

1st offering: 12 – 1

  • Clay with Penny
  • Resting in the Breath of God with Mieke
  • Journaling with Lydia

Lunch (bring a packed lunch and cook some 1pm – 2pm extras together over the fire.)

2nd offering: 2pm-3pm

  • Breathwork/centering prayer with Anne
  • Scripture Circle with Julie

Closing Circle 3pm – 3.30pm

All sessions are optional, but we encourage everyone to engage in the opening circle and mindful wander so they get their bearings.

Other options are to enjoy nature, wander, wonder, notice, rest and pray.

Non-facilitated spaces include: access to tea and coffee making facilities, hammocks, art supplies & the expanse of nature all around us.

THIS IS A DONATION BASED EVENT. We recommended donations on a sliding scale depending on your means: €10 – €40.

You can donate on Eventbrite or you can email us and donate via cash on the day.

Join us for Wellspring, May 17th

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Come to the well. The well is deep.

Wellspring: a Quiet Day of contemplation, a scripture circle and an invitation to respond to whatever is arising through art

Saturday, May 17 · 10:30am – 3:30pm, Egan House, on the grounds of St Michan’s Church of Ireland, Church Street D07 F3P6 Dublin 7

Book by clicking HERE

Join Lydia, Julie and Nathalie for a gently led Quiet Day, ‘Wellspring’.

The day will run from 10.30 – 3.30.

Sample itinerary:

  • Welcome, contemplative prayer and guided meditation.
  • Scripture circle – a time of learning and wondering together through ancient texts that hold wisdom for our lives today.
  • An art session to respond to what arises. This could be with drift wood and sea glass, or with paint or clay or weaving or printing.
  • Closing session of contemplation, gratitude and takeaways.

The day is an invitation to return to the source of your life, your Wellspring, the water that Jesus’ spoke about that quenches a deep thirst within us, as we return to our sense of belonging in Him.

Throughout the day we’ll be exploring the idea of a sacred pause, which emerges through scripture as guarding sacred time, and flows out into ancient and contemporary Christian monastic practices known as statio, which simply means, “the holy pause”, also translated as, “I stand” or “I remain.”

What does it mean for you in your life to return to what gives you life, to pause as a means to remain (maybe remain in an awareness of the presence of God and of your identity as a child of God?) before continuing in the structures and rhythms of daily life?

Facilitators:

Lydia is the ministry leader for the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland and she runs contemplative sessions, Quiet days and retreats.

Julie is the development officer of the National Bible Society of Ireland and supports people to look at familiar texts with new eyes, creating a space for discussion and wondering together.

Nathalie is an artist and teacher, who facilitates sessions where people can let go of ‘I can’t’, and begin to create, play and explore where faith and art intersect.

 

 

Poems for Hope and Healing, online reading group in May

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Book via Eventbrite by clicking HERE

 

Each session will be an invitation to pause, reflect, and pray. We’ll discover how reading poetry together can be a spiritual practice that helps us listen to our emotions, see the world in surprising ways, and open the doors of our own creativity. Poetry has a special power to speak straight to our hearts and to jolt us with its insights.

This is a slow and mindful reading group, to which everyone is warmly welcome. You will receive the poems & a worksheet in advance. Each session will feature: thoughtful conversation about the poems; time for journaling and creative reflection with prompts to inspire you; gentle questions that invite spiritual exploration. Our chosen poems, by Emily Dickinson, Wendell Berry, Denise Levertov, and many more, explore our relationship with the divine, the healing power of nature, and the emotions that shape our bonds with both God and one another.

Jessica Brown is a Church of Ireland ordinand, poet (with 2 published collections), novelist (2 published novels), singer-songwriter, teacher, & mentor with experience leading workshops in schools, prisons, festivals, & community events. Catherine Smith is the Operations Executive of CMHI. Her doctoral research was on Irish literature, and she’s a passionate reader of poetry. This series is made possible through donations. If that isn’t possible for you at the moment, just email CMHI & we’ll book you in.

Image of ladder by Armand Khoury on Unsplash

Image of eggs by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash