All Saints Parish Retreats 

History

All Saints has been organising an annual retreat for many years, providing a break from the daily routine and a chance to focus on one’s spiritual growth. It’s a unique opportunity to recharge the batteries; to take stock, meditate, read, walk, pray or just rest, but above all, to live in the gift of the present moment and to gain a renewed sense of purpose and direction in life.

The All Saints Retreat is open to everyone, from All Saints’ parishioners to those living further afield, and many have been coming regularly for a number of years.  The retreat is conducted by a retreat leader and follows a scheduled programme based around the daily offices and a number of presentations from the leader, usually focusing on a specific theme.  However, nothing is compulsory (!), and retreatants can choose entirely what they want to join in with.  Some just use the time to rest.

The Retreat is held in a residential retreat centre, solely for our use.  In previous years it was held at Abbey House, Glastonbury in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey, until it closed as a retreat house in 2017.  Since then we have been fortunate enough to hold our retreat weekends at Llangasty Retreat House in Brecon, Wales.  Llangasty is a Christian centre for individuals and groups set in surroundings of peace, beauty, and tranquility, with wildlife in abundance which makes for a perfect retreat setting.

The Retreat is fully residential with comfortable rooms and all meals provided.  It lasts from tea time on a Friday until after lunch on a Sunday, and the majority of it is held in silence.  Some people find this a strange concept at first, being used to the hustle and bustle and general noise of every day life.  However, most soon get used to it, and discover that it’s a unique opportunity to experience a time of genuine peace and calm in the company of others but without the usual clamour of daily existence.  Silence falls after supper on the Friday and ends just before lunch on Sunday, but retreatants are free to talk in their rooms or outside in the grounds of the retreat house.

Over the years, we have been incredibly fortunate to have had many renowned retreat leaders from a variety of different backgrounds and Christian traditions, including The Right Reverend Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, Br Nicholas Alan SSF, Guardian of the Franciscan Monastery of Glasshampton in Worcestershire and The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury.

The 2025 Retreat

After another very successful Parish Retreat at Llangasty in May 2024, we’re delighted to announce that we shall be holding the 2025 retreat at Llangasty again from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May 2025. The retreat leader and all other details will be announced in due course, but we can confirm that once again the retreat is sure to be a very special, restorative and rewarding few days. 

Places are limited and go very quickly, so for now, do pencil the 23-25 May 2025 in your diaries, and email either Helen or Liz to express an interest and get your name down on the advance list:
Helen:  helen@helensutton.com
Liz: liz.badman@virginmedia.com

See a report of our 2024 Parish Retreat here, together with some photos of our group and Llangasty in all its glory!
 

"The Past is History, the Future is a Mystery, and the Present is a Gift!
Fr. Neil Kelley, 2023 Retreat Leader