A Quiet Day

Led a Quiet Day on Saturday for a neighbouring parish who are without a Rector at the moment.

What’s a Quiet Day? you might ask.

It’s like a retreat taster, only lasting a short time rather than a weekend or a full retreat. In this case, from ten ’til three. Even for those few hours it can be quite difficult to remain in utter silence, so we provided lots of things for people to do, like pottery, painting, writing poetry, reading, or listening to radio plays.

Fortunately it was a glorious Spring day, so those who wished (me being one) could wander outside amongst the snowdrops in the churchyard. And since this particular church is situated next to the village hall, we had good facilities with plenty of rooms we could use.

I started with Celtic worship and a short homily, to give people something to think about if they so desired, then a couple of hours in silence doing what they wanted, followed by another homily around lunchtime and finishing with a Celtic Eucharist and a final homily.

There were over twenty people present which really surprised me, since if I’d put on something similar in my parishes we’d probably have managed about three.

Anyway, they all seemed to enjoy it and so did I. It’s amazing how a bit of silence and space and retreat from the world, even if just for a few hours, can energise and refresh you. And some people produced some fantastic clay work and painting.

What it is to be artistic. Not having an artisitc bone in my body, I look and admire from a distance.

Mind you, I needed the time out. Yesterday was so busy I didn’t have time to breathe and today has been almost as bad. Still, I’ve made it at last – and here I am.

Enjoy your day and I’ll see you tomorrow – if time!

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