Join us in early 2024 for a retreat focused on spiritual, practical, and relational rhythms for faith and justice.
Life is hard, and seeking social justice is even harder. Against all the odds, and in the midst of vast global pain, uncertainty and complexity, how do we keep ourselves going, thriving and bearing fruit for the long haul?
Reset: Marathon Rhythms
When: Friday the 19th of January, 17:30 - Sunday 21st of January, 12:00
The pursuit of social justice is like a marathon. At times it's stunning and we feel like we're making a real impact. At others, it is gruelling, frustrating, and exhausting.
This is true whether we're at the heart of politics, business, and decision-making, or serving and campaigning on the margins of society. Whether our focus is small, local, and interpersonal, or large, global, and systemic, we find that God's work in ourselves and the world is slow, steady, and long-term. "Slow and steady wins the race," but it can be hard to believe or put this into practice. How much more so when we're also dealing with all that life throws our way: illness, bereavement, relational complexity, or any other kind of personal struggle.
Generations of people have found strength and comfort in the example of Jesus, who found rhythms of life and empowerment for the work set before him.
This 36 hour retreat (Friday evening - Sunday morning) will focus on three key aspects of our lives:
Spiritual
Practical
Relational
This is a moment to step back, refuel, and get your bearings for the year ahead. There will be a light programme of teaching, workshops, and prayer, but mostly just space to connect with others, process your questions or get some time alone with God. It's open to anyone in the Just Love Network who wants to realign their sense of purpose and passion for justice at the start of a new year.
This event is fully catered, including a bed for two nights (some beds are in dormitories with others, some are not - you can express if you have a strong preference on the ticket form).
Tickets cost £65 (full price), £40 concession. See below for more detail.
Key Information
Timings
Guests are able to arrive any time from 5.30pm on the Friday evening, but the programme begins at 7.30pm to give everyone time to arrive. Dinner will be served from 6-7.30pm, but we'll keep you some back if you arrive late.
We'll finish up at midday on Sunday 21st, allowing people time to get back home for the rest of the weekend! However, you're more than welcome to stay around for lunch in Harpenden if you want to keep hanging out! (This will be at a pub or cafe near the train station).
Location
The Oval is a calm and peaceful space, located less than one hour from London. Despite its proximity, it feels like stepping into a different world!
Harpenden is a 30 minute train ride from London St Pancras. It is then a 20 minute walk or 5 minute taxi journey to The Oval, where the retreat is taking place. Please contact us directly regarding travel bursaries.
Food & Drink
This event is fully catered, including:
Dinner - Friday evening (6.30-7.30pm)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Saturday
Breakfast - Sunday 21st
You can also stick around for lunch at a pub or cafe near Harpenden station on the Sunday afternoon if you want! However, this is not included in the ticket price.
We'll be in touch nearer the time about exact timings and catering plans - we'll all muck in and help a bit with the cooking!
Ticket Price
This fully-catered, residential retreat costs £65 (full price) or £40 (concession price). We think this a great deal and have worked hard to keep costs low, while also delivering a quality event in a fantastic location!
We have currently set aside 20% of tickets as concession tickets, but this is to some degree flexible. Please get in touch with Tim Lornie if you're not sure whether you count as a "concession" ticket for this event. In brief, concession tickets are designed for anyone who wants to attend the event but who is prevented from doing so by the ticket price.
There is also an option to "pay it forward" and contribute to the concession tickets of others, if that's something you'd like to do.
We expect this event to cost approximately £75-80/head, with Just Love subsidising tickets. We have priced the event based on a survey, in which most respondents stated they'd be happy to pay £60-£79 for an event like this.
Signing Up
We expect a high level of interest in this retreat, so don't hold back! Use the simple form below to sign up. Tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
To get the full benefit of the event, we strongly recommend coming for the whole 36 hours. However, it is possible to arrive later/leave earlier if you need to.
Who Is It For?
This retreat is for anyone in the Just Love Network who wants to realign their sense of purpose and passion for justice at the start of a new year.