In one of the most memorable moments in the Bible, the old prophet Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms and offers a prayer of praise for the light coming into this world:

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

During this Quiet Day we’ll reflect on the dawning of that life-giving light into our own lives – how it enlightens us, challenges us, renews and inspires us, and draws us into the presence of God. And, of course, we’ll take time to pray and worship, and immerse ourselves in plenty of silence and stillness.

The Quiet Day will be led by The Revd Chris Webb, Deputy Warden of Launde Abbey.

Chris Webb is an Anglican priest, author, speaker and teacher dedicated to helping people experience a richer walk with God by growing in prayer and the spiritual life. He has ministered in a wide variety of contexts: as president of Renovaré, a spiritual formation ministry in the USA; as parish priest in Welsh farming communities and steelworking towns; and even in a church for the homeless. Chris is the author of two books: The Fire of the Word (2011) and God-Soaked Life (2017).

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Luke 2:14, NRSV).  These are the words with which Angels inspired the shepherds to go and seek the new born Messiah.  As we enter a new year, are you one of those people who will need to recuperate from the joyful exhaustion of the events of the Christmas?  We invite you to start your new year journey here at Launde and experience the peace of God that can sustain you, alongside all His chosen ones, without loosing focus of the one who has brought hope into the world.

Alan and Lesley Humphrey

Alan Humphrey is an Anglican priest and Resident Chaplain at Launde.  He comes to Launde from parish ministry before working alongside Lesley at a new monastic community where they were warden and house manager respectively.  Their enthusiasm for sharing their love of God stems from experiences throughout their varied careers coupled with many years of serving on team at New Wine.

Quiet Day price: £44 includes lunch and coffee and tea throughout the day.
Why not think about extending your time at Launde by staying overnight after the event.  Check for availability and a quote when you contact us.

“Beauty for Brokenness … Give us Compassion we Pray”

If the Word became flesh and blood, and “moved into the neighbourhood”, how then do we see our own bodies?  How do we relate to the bits we like? And the bits we don’t? A chance to think about our bodies, in both their brokenness and beauty, as “very good… wonderfully made”!

Revd David Harknett

This Quiet Day will be led by The Revd David Harknett and assisted by his daughter Rose.

David has been given to Rose as a parent, carer, friend, explorer and annoyance.  Not expected to live because of sepsis in 2013, David has mild, chronic fatigue, but is able to swim, cycle and run.  He also oversees 6 small, rural villages outside Melton Mowbray.

Rose Harknett at Launde

Rose has been given to David as a daughter, demand, friend, entertainer and irritant. During David’s sabbatical in 2022, his wife Vicky described Rose as his “greatest Mentor”. She is non-verbal and attends Birch Wood Special School.

“For the beauty and bounty of creation, we give you thanks.”

A day to focus on the beauty of creation and immerse ourselves in it.  A time to express our gratitude to God for the environment and its harvest.

Weather permitting, some of this day will take place outside in our outdoor worship space which is beyond the walled garden.  There will also be indoor options.

This day will be facilitated by Revd Claire Goode, Chaplain at Launde Abbey.

Summertime, and the living is easy … or is it?

Whether or not you holiday in August, many of our institutions take a break.  In thsi day, we will take the opportunity to relax in the presence of God and reflect on what it means to have some ‘down-time’ with God.

Led by Revd Claire Goode, a Chaplain at Launde Abbey. She is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who was most recently the Vicar of a city centre church in Nottingham. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. 

Prayer is poetic. It’s finding words, pictures, and metaphors to frame our experiences and name the Divine in the details of the everyday.

In poetry, we listen and describe what’s going on around us. In prayer, we begin to inhabit the words we declare.

• An opportunity to take time to be still and listen deeply.
• An invitation to play with words and pray poetically. 

This Quiet Day will be led by Matt Long.  Matt is Youth Engagement & Intergenerational Communities Enabler for the Diocese of Leicester.  Matt lives the seasons – pausing, paying attention, foraging, fermenting, and finding words to frame story. 

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