Community Weekend Report

by Jeremy Timm, Companion & Trustee

On  13/14/15 September, the Community gathered from all parts of the country, some near and some far, for our annual Community Weekend. We met at Whaley Hall, a small retreat centre in Derbyshire, founded originally to explore ecumenism and spirituality. As ever when we gather it is a time full of depth and energy; the theme of the weekend was The Trellis and The Rose, the title coming from our resource document for Companions. Sister Rosemary, of the Sisters of the Love of God, was a visitor and offered some deep and rich thoughts to challenge us. There was the usual AGM business to transact, and a rich open forum as companions shared their thoughts  with the community. This of course was interspersed with lovely meals, prayer and silence, a walk in the sunshine, and a session on Body Prayer led by Diane Rutter, a companion. Before we went our separate ways we met in a misty morning to break bread and share wine together……

The act of gathering became for us a trellis to support us in our growing and flowering as members of a dispersed community.