Ministry & Retreats
Ministry
The College of the Holy Spirit on Cumbrae runs its own retreat program. The beauty and tranquillity of the island and Cathedral grounds gives our guests the opportunity to relax throughout the day and offers an added dimension to your retreat or holiday experience.
Bishop's House on Iona is also available for group and individual retreats.
ISLAND BREAKS
At the Cathedral of The Isles and College of the Holy Spirit, Cumbrae
2010 Programme
The breaks normally start with tea on day 1 and conclude after breakfast on the final day. The residential charge covers full board and all events. For many of the breaks there is also the possibility of non-residential participation. A few bursaries are available.
For further details, please contact The College: telephone 01475 530353 or cathedral_cumbrae@btconnect.com (NB: We’re a Wi-Fi hotspot!)
Or download a pdf file of the programme 2010 »
Please note that all breaks are conditional on our receiving a “break-even” number of confirmed bookings 6 weeks prior to the event. So please book early!
Date |
Cost (all-inclusive) |
Description |
July - September Sunday afternoons at 3pm |
Retiring collection |
Music for a Summer Afternoon – concerts every Sunday afternoon at 3pm in The Cathedral of The Isles. Details - see our functions page. |
13-17 Sept |
From £215 per person full board |
Island Retreat - come as an individual, a couple or a small group and be part of a midweek retreat led by the Warden. Adjust your pace of life to a few days of saying Daily Office, Midday Eucharist, a little intellectual stimulation, lots of time for reflection and recreation and good home-cooking. |
17-19 Sept |
£110 (£30 non-residential) |
Exploring themes in The Cloud of Unknowing. A retreat led by the Revd Graeme Watson (London Meditation Centre). “Be still and know that I am God”. Many people feel called to a practice of prayer of which the essentials are silence and stillness. The Cloud of Unknowing, a fourteenth century anonymous work, offers one of the best guides to such contemplative prayer, also known today as Christian Meditation. Graeme Watson, a retired Anglican priest and spiritual director, will elucidate themes from The Cloud in order to encourage people to develop their own contemplative practice. This retreat is suitable for both beginners and more experienced people and will include regular times for sharing the practice of meditation together. |
27 Sept – 1 Oct |
From £215 per person full board |
Island Retreat - come as an individual, a couple or a small group and be part of a midweek retreat led by the Warden. Adjust your pace of life to a few days of saying Daily Office, Midday Eucharist, a little intellectual stimulation, lots of time for reflection and recreation and good home-cooking. | 8-11 October |
From £160 per person full board |
Island Retreat - a weekend retreat led by the Warden – see above. |
15-17 October (Conference 10am-5pm on Saturday 16 October) |
£50 per person per day Dinner, Bed & Breakfast plus £35 for Day Conference |
Sermons in Stone - this "Butterfield" Weekend led by Jocelyn Cunliffe will explore the work of the Cathedral architect, William Butterfield, and the context of the nineteenth century Episcopal Churcyh and its continuing influence. Music on Friday evening, Sung Eucharist on Sunday morning. Organised in partnership with the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. |
29-31 October |
£100 (residential) |
Friends of The Cathedral of The Isles AGM and Weekend (details to be announced) |
1-4 November |
£150 (residential) |
Argyll & The Isles Diocesan Retreat. The retreat conductor for the Argyll & The Isles Diocesan Retreat will be the Rev Dr Michael Kitchener, recently arrived from the Borders to live in Argyll. An experienced leader of retreats, he plans to guide retreatants as ‘Pilgrims into Silence’. Retreatants will have an opportunity to get to know each other; will then be led in an exploration of different kinds of silence on Tuesday before moving into an extended silence over Tuesday evening and Wednesday. On Thursday they will reflect together on the experience. Michael will be available throughout for individual guidance. |
28 November |
|
Advent Carol Service at 3pm |
29 December |
|
Festival of Lessons and Carols at 3pm |
Three star accommodation is provided in The College of The Holy Spirit adjacent to The Cathedral of The Isles. The College is set in 8 acres of woodland close to the sea. A historic building with modern facilities, the College has a variety of rooms (some with en-suite) and good home-cooking. The College provides Bed & Breakfast accommodation when possible and is also available for private bookings.
For more information on the retreats please contact:
David Todd, Warden, The College of The Holy Spirit – Tel. 01475-530353
Email: cathedral_cumbrae@btconnect.com
This programme is subject to variation and other plans are in the offing so please check the Website (www.cumbraecathedralfriends.com) from time to time for full details and news of new events or ask (cathedral_cumbrae@btconnect.com) to be put on our mailing list.
Finally, don’t forget our Music for a Summer Afternoon (July-September).
Retreat to Iona
Bishop's House is a perfect location for group and individual retreats on Iona, we are located in the village and near to the Abbey, a haven of peace away from the tourist throng. Set in our own grounds, the House overlooks the sound of Iona.
The House is open from March until October for full board guests and can be booked for exclusive use groups, enabling them to have the whole house to themselves. We also offer a number of open weeks; these are an opportunity for individuals to find peace in the house with other pilgrims.
The House can be booked from November to February for self-catering by exclusive use groups. We provide the possibility to enjoy Iona’s crisp and glorious winters. The library with its open fire and traditional comfort is ideal for long peaceful Hebridean evenings.
Bishop's House does not offer retreat programs but we do arrange for a regular rhythm of services and meals that help to structure the day. The House provides space for quiet individuals as well as group retreats. The library provides theological works and resources for retreats, as well as general reading material. Bishop's House is an empowering space that helps our guests to relax on this Holy Island.
