Castletown Wanderers – Christ Church Celbridge

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Join the Castletown Wanderers as we learn to slow down and connect with ourselves and with something bigger than ourselves – nature; community; and for those who have faith, God.

What? Who? Why?

This is a wander for the whole community and offers gentle grounding and meditative exercises and supports to move from ‘doing’ to ‘being’ to help us be in the moment and enjoy what is around us.
It’s a collaboration between Christ Church, the Anglican church on the grounds of Castletown and the Church’s Ministry of Healing, Ireland (CMH:I), which uses nature connection to support people’s mental health, spiritual health and whole health. And of course the biggest partner is Nature and the beautiful grounds of Castletown House.
Did you know that just 2 hours per week in nature boosts your immune system, resets your nervous system, reduces your feelings of loneliness and increases your sense of wellbeing? What a gift! Let’s accept it.
Who is it for?
This is a welcoming space for everybody. Nature is free, we simply want to provide some nature connection opportunities.
Young and old are welcome – noisy people are welcome, quiet people are welcome, tired people are welcome, energetic people are welcome, people who love getting muddy are welcome, people who have dirt aversions are welcome, people with a faith, with no faith, with a strong sense of spirituality, with a desire to build community, all welcome. We won’t pretend to be anything other than who we are, but we also won’t impose anything or expect anyone to come as anyone but who they are and as they are.
photo – Catherine Smith, CMH:I

An example of what you can expect:

We’ll meet on the grounds of Christ Church and do some simple grounding exercises – noticing the sounds around you and becoming present.
Then we’ll walk to Castletown House together – some with mobility passes may drive there.
Anyone who needs bathroom breaks and coffee stops can head into the cafe.
Then we’ll head to the woods just beyond the House and invite people to engage with nature in whatever way suits them. This is completely participant led, once a few health and safety measures have been put in place. Here are some examples of options:
1. free play
2. nature art and mandalas
3. Sit spots under trees with ideas for breath work (we may even have a hammock!)
4. working with clay and loose nature parts to explore process and creativity
5. mindful wander prompts – these include postcards of things to spot or journey sticks that you can add to as you wander
6. blindfold walk (along ropes!)
We’ll finish with a closing gratitude circle and people can go on their way.
Will you come and shape this programme and community with us? We’d love to see you there.
Sunday 26th February 12.30 meeting at Christ Church Celbridge

What do I need to bring with me?

Appropriate clothes for the weather. (children in particular may get muddy)
A packed lunch – or you can buy something at the cafe
We will have a few camping chairs for those who need to sit – you may want to bring a picnic blanket or something waterproof to sit on for eating or crafting or sit spots
Drinking water.