Breathe with the Seasons: Lent

Time seems to pass faster each year, sweeping us along without a moments rest. These retreat days invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with God’s story woven through the seasons.

Lent invites us to pause and realign with God’s grace and purpose. This Encounter Day offers space to breathe deeply, reflect on scripture, and engage in creative spiritual practices.

We begin with Return to the Heart, exploring repentance and reorientation through Joel 2:12–13. A breathing prayer, devotional reflection, and writing a “Letter of Return” to help us reflect on our inner life and return to God with sincerity.

Next, Release What Weighs You Down invites us to let go of burdens and trust God more deeply. Guided by Hebrews 12:1–2, we’ll name what hinders us, practice breath prayer, and symbolically release those weights through burning or shredding.

Finally, Receive What Truly Matters helps us re-centre on grace and God’s priorities. Rooted in Matthew 6:33, we’ll embrace simplicity through silent prayer, reflection, and a blessing ritual.

You’ll be encouraged to carry one word or phrase from the retreat through the rest of Lent as a breath prayer possibly:

Inhale: “Lord, I return…”Exhale: “…to what matters most.”

The Venerable Mike McGurk, Vicar of St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley, will guide us through this Encounter Day.

Formerly Archdeacon of Liverpool and a priest in North Manchester, he brings a wealth of pastoral experience and spiritual insight. Born and raised in Ireland, he’s married with two adult children and two grandsons.

Outside ministry, he enjoys sport, afternoon teas, walks in National Trust grounds, and a good crime drama - all part of a life lived with joy and curiosity.

'As we journey through Lent, I invite you to reflect deeply on this season of repentance and realignment. Lent is a time to pause, breathe in rhythm with grace, and return to what truly matters: God, grace and purpose.'

Arrivals and refreshments from 9.30am

First session begins at 10.00am

Encounter Days - Connecting more deeply with God

How do you most readily experience a sense of God’s presence?

Some people love silence and long for space to simply be.

Others find silence difficult, almost physically painful.

In our Encounter Days there will always be lots of space for quiet for those who value the silence, but we also recognise that not everyone processes internally. We want to encourage additional ways of seeking a sense of God’s presence which might include discussion, prayer, or walking in a group or with another, making or listening to music, making or creating something, reflection using writing or reading.