Religious Houses offering hospitality and retreats

When we were in Spain and Portugal we were going to stay in some religious houses offering hospitality, but in the end it was just too hard. Most did not speak English, they did not have email or websites – all the things that make booking easier in a country where you do not speak the language.

St Michaels Convent in Richmond, London

I am staying here because a friend of mine – Catherine Wood is presently living alongside this Community, so I am in one of their simple guest rooms. A short walk away is the Thames River, and this morning Catherine and I strolled down the river in the drizzle to a lovely cafe snuggled under a bridge – just the place to enjoy a cup of coffee out of the weather. Among other things Catherine has created a lovely labyrinth to walk in the garden of the convent.

The Community of the Sisters of the Church are an Anglican order of nuns who live in this large convent and garden in a lovely part of Surrey. They are available for retreats and spiritual resourcing and have a rhythm of daily prayer that you can join in on, and meals – many of them silent. There is a chance to talk to someone if you wish about your life and journey and there is also massage and reiki healing and psychotherapy available.

While I am here they are having evening meditation for Advent to which about 100 people come on each of three nights. With poems, readings, music, powerpoint and silence they lead us in a reflection on change – the reality of it, our need for it and our fear of it.

It is nice to be involved in church services in which I can understand the language after 2 months in Spain, Portugal and Italy. And while I am not a conventional believer these days, I find the intentional space to reflect has added something to the journey I have been on.

These days I doubt that everyone who comes to St Michaels is ‘christian’, but all are on a spiritual journey of some kind, and all are welcome. If you are wanting some ‘quiet’ time, there is no better place than a place like this, so consider if next time you feel the need, or even when you don’t.

www.sisterofthechurch.org.uk