Why August is the new January.

August 01, 2020 by Penelope Swithinbank

Could July 31st have been the official last day of 2020?

Could today, August 1st, be the new beginning - a sort of 2020 2.0?

Don’t we all want to move from a life of this pandemically-induced burnout to a powerful life of purpose and peace. To live as God intended. To be the best YOU that you can be…. more of this below. Because haven’t we all earned a do-over, a second chance at what 2020 might be? It began so well, so hopefully - roaring into the twenties again, excited at the thought of a new decade, a new opportunity, a new beginning. And before long, it slid out of all recognition. As did we all.

Who am I now? aren’t we all wondering? What am I, without so much that defined me, with all that I’ve lost over these past few months? What’s the point of me?

So maybe this is the only time we get a second chance at a New Year right in the middle of the old one. A chance to restart and reboot; to renew and refresh. To re-activate.

Because don’t we all need re-activating? As the world changes right before our eyes, as we mourn all that we’ve lost over the past weeks, as we long for what used to be normal, it’s so easy to become de-moralised and lost and lethargic. Because this isn’t any year that we recognise. It’s not the world as we’ve known it. We’re not ourselves as we’ve known us to be.

And we wonder where God is in all of this and how knowing him truly makes a difference in the middle of all the mess and chaos and uncertainty. Who am I now needs to be who has God made me to be?

In the midst of the uncertainty and longing for normal, one thing is certain: God is still God. God is still a God of love, a God of steadfastness, a God of creativity.

A God who created you to be YOU. And then threw the template away. You are uniquely made, the only one of you that there is. And you are a gift to the rest of us. You are so worth-while.

Maybe it’s time to remember – or to learn for the first time perhaps - who God made you to be. To remember how very special you are, how much you are made in God’s image.

To move from a life of this pandemically-induced burnout to a powerful life of purpose and peace. To live as God intended. To be the best YOU that you can be.

Here’s one way to do that: THE SPICE RETREAT.

THE SPICE RETREAT: becoming the YOU God intended

Many of us are hesitating to travel. For whatever reason. So a destination retreat isn’t possible right now.

Let’s retreat TOGETHER for the SPICE RETREAT online.

By the end of this new online retreat, you’ll know how God made you, you’ll know your best YOU, and you’ll be able to be your best you in everyday life, work and relationships. No matter what is going on around you in this crazy world of ours.

We’ve all been told that it’s OK not to be OK – and that’s true. But I believe it’s not OK to stay there. When your well-being is stretched to breaking, you need to know who and how God created you, so that you can take the right steps to be OK once again. To be better than just OK. To be your best you.

The SPICE RETREAT is a proven 5-step way of discovering your best you and enabling you to live your best life as God intended for you. It’s based on what I’ve learned in my own life, on what I’ve used in mentoring and counselling others, and on Biblical research and reading.

What better time to do it than now – as we re-set 2020! Maybe August is a quieter time for you; maybe it’s a good time for reflection and re-evaluation; for going deeper and preparing for the September feeling of re-starting, beginning a new term, going back into the office for the first time since lockdown, or simply gearing up for this new normal.

So, as promised over the past few weeks, and following the wonderful answers to the survey you kindly answered for me, I’m thrilled and excited to be working with you and offering you the first opportunity to take the SPICE RETREAT.

To sign up and join the RETREAT, click here.

The SPICE RETREAT will:

- Enable you to be your best you in everyday life, work and relationships.

- Help you to make a lasting transformation to live your life as God intended, as he created you to be

- Give you proven tools to become your best you, that you can use in any situation

- Show you how God has put you together in the 5 areas that are the wells of contentment: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional

- Show you how to arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy and confidence in your everyday life with God (as Dallas Willard said)

- Give you the freedom and power to be yourself and help you to let go of who you think you’re supposed to be or who you think others expect you to be

- Help you to come alive and be your best YOU in ways you might not even have imagined and that will last a lifetime

The SPICE RETREAT is for:

- Anyone who wants to go deeper with God and discover how he created you to be

- The person who feels lost and uncertain in life, especially in these uncertain times

- Someone who needs to re-set and start-over, to be re-activated with a new purpose

- Those who are created by God

The SPICE RETREAT consists of:

- 5 weekly live evening sessions, of 45-50 minutes each, that will also be recorded and available to be accessed at any time. These will include input, guided times for reflection, and other specials such as led meditations, contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, lectio divina, and various ways to hear God speak into your life. You will have forever access to these

- Downloadable weekly journals, that you can keep, personalise and use at any time

- Suggestions for how to use SPICE to create your own individual retreat at a time to suit you

- Access to a closed Facebook group with optional discussion and feedback

- A retreat handbook of things that will enhance the SPICE RETREAT

- Optional One-on-one Spiritual Direction/mentoring sessions. These will be online with me via Facetime/Whatsapp/Zoom. (your preference)

The live sessions are at 6pm on Sundays August 9th, August 16th, August 23th, August 30th, September 6th As they will be recorded, you will have forever access, so even if you can’t do the live sessions you can have them available for a time that suits you.

Space is limited and is on a first-come basis. There is also an early bird special rate available for the first 10 people who sign up. UPDATE - SOLD OUT

The cost for the SPICE RETREAT:

Choose one of the following options

BRONZE

- 5 weekly live evening sessions, of 45-50 minutes each, that will also be recorded and available to be accessed at any time. These will include input, guided times for reflection, and other specials such as led meditations, contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, lectio divina, and various ways to hear God speak into your life. You will have forever access to these

- Downloadable weekly journals, that you can keep, personalise and use at any time

- Suggestions for how to use SPICE to create your own individual retreat at a time to suit you

- Access to a closed Facebook group with optional discussion and feedback

- A retreat handbook of things that will enhance the SPICE RETREAT

Bronze normal price £85

SILVER

- everything in Bronze plus 1 x 60 minutes session of one-to-one Spiritual Direction at the end of the course to help you personalise your main takeaways

SILVER normal price £135

GOLD (ONLY 6 GOLD places available) UPDATE: 3 still available

- everything in Bronze, PLUS 3 x once-a-month 60 minute sessions of one-to-one Spiritual Direction to help you process and personalise what you learn on the course, turning it into a lasting practical life change, with support and encouragement on your journey.

Normal price £225

PLATINUM (ONLY 6 PLATINUM places available)

- everything in Bronze, PLUS

- 6 x once-a-month 60 minute sessions of one-to-one Spiritual Direction to help you process and personalise what you learn on the course, turning it into a lasting practical life change, with support and encouragement on your journey and see you through the first 6 months of the new YOU

Normal price £375

To sign up for the SPICE RETREAT click here

The links for the first Sunday evening session and downloadable journal will be sent to your inbox on Saturday ready for you to be ready!

AND - as of August 3rd, there are only 3 spaces still available on the Celtic Pilgrimage in Cornwall, May 2021. CLICK HERE for the full details to make sure you are booked to come -

- take time to reset your soul and be refreshed and renewed

- get away from everyday hurry and anxiety

- learn from the Celtic saints

- meet with the Lord in daily reflections and meditations

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The Revd Penelope Swithinbank is an experienced pilgrimage and retreat leader, conference speaker and Spiritual Director/Therapist. She has been leading retreats and pilgrimages for nearly 20 years, regularly leads pilgrimages in the UK and on the Via Francigena in Italy, has had an international ministry, including churches in America and the UK, and speaking on Women's Retreats and leading conferences. Her most special memory is of opening the US Senate in prayer and being guest chaplain there for a day. Penelope was the first ordained woman on the staff of The Falls Church, Virginia, where she headed up the Connections and Communications Ministry in a church of nearly 4,000. Later, she was the first chaplain at St Mellitus College, London, and then ran The Vine at Mays Farm, a Christian Retreat House providing sanctuary mostly to burned-out clergy, although normal people came too, for retreats and time out. She now works partly as a Chaplain at Bath Abbey and partly mentoring, supporting and pastoring clergy. Author of two books, she is a wife, mother and grandmother and says of the 6 grandchildren that they are so wonderful she should have had them first.

** ** ** **

What others have said:

From someone who has regular Spiritual Direction:

“Thank you for that very useful and in-depth session. I feel in a much better place now and am determined to press in to Christ more.” C.B.

From the leader of a women’s day retreat:

“We loved having you with us – you ‘fit’ us very well, if you know what I mean! We’ve had lots of great positive feedback and stories on Sunday of what God had been doing – all were inspired to spend more time with the Lord. One commented that it was great to not only have the buzz of being at a day like that but then also to have practical things to take away and do day-to-day. You spoke brilliantly – very clear, great structure which I always appreciate! Very easy to relate to and connect with your material. You have a lovely relaxed manner too...... it was great to have lots of practical stuff to mix things up and practise. It made the day go incredibly quickly and didn’t feel at all like hard work!” C.H.

From an Anglican Bishop:

“Penelope is one of the finest priests I know—not “female” priest, but just “priest”. God has seen fit to combine in her high character, deep piety and a broad gift-mix. This combination makes her a wonderful guide and retreat leader for both current leaders and those who feel called to ministry. I sincerely commend Penelope and her work.” T.H

From a grateful husband:

“Whatever happened there this year has really lit B’s walk with Christ on fire again. She is showing so much of the fruit of the spirit, plus she can’t get enough of ministering to people, and she feels alive in Christ too. Really good stuff!” A.G.

From a previous pilgrim:

“I will ALWAYS think of it as one of the top experiences, and it was the catalyst to begin this whole other chapter of my life — truly amazing! It was formative for me in so many ways, Penelope…thank you for providing this catalyst for transformation in my life.” M.S.

Where Shall We Walk Today?

June 04, 2020 by Penelope Swithinbank

This time two years ago, my husband and I had just embarked on the momentous walk right across France - 330 miles from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.

512 Kms - plus all the extra ones we did!

I wish I was doing it again now - or, the other one I’d love to do: Canterbury to Rome on the Via Francigena, parts of which I’ve done in Tuscany and Lazio. It takes about 3.5 months, and I' need to do it soon or I’ll be too decrepit! There’s something about a long, long walk.

Many of us have been walking each day during lockdown. And we know that even 15 minutes a day makes a huge difference to us, mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually.

15-minutes-of-walking-on-a-daily-basis-can-change-your-body-drastically.jpg

2,400 years ago, Hippocrates emphasised that no medication could have such a broad effect as simply putting one foot in front of another. Walking is man’s best medicine, he said. And apparently it can add seven years to your life and improve your health in numerous ways.

Professor of inherited cardiac diseases in sport cardiology at St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, Sanjay Sharma suggests:

“We might never avoid being totally old, but the time we become old may be delayed. When we’re 70, we might look younger and actually live on to our nineties. Workouts by walking actually gives you an extra 3 to 7 years of life.”

And perhaps we are inspired by Colonel Captain Tom and his walk for the NHS, as well.

I’ve just finished reading three GREAT books that I highly recommend, on walking. And you don’t actually HAVE to walk to enjoy them!

Erling Kagge's book is a reflection on a life time of walking and how walking makes a difference to our lives. He is the first man to have walked to both Poles AND climbed Mt Everest! This is an illuminating examination of the joy of walking, and Kagge’s joy when he walks just shines through. “A walk refreshes and comforts and delights. Shut in at home, I would miserably decay and dry up.”

Bishop Graham Usher's words on how walking impacts our spirituality, our thinking, our looking. How it can be a time for healing, creates space for silence and solitude. Following in the steps of Jesus and other Christians, this book shows us how to walk our way back into Life. I’m devouring this more slowly, taking time to think and pray through it.

“Know how to tramp (ie long-distance walking or hiking) and you know how to live…” Stephen Graham, a man from a previous generation, gives advice on what to take (a collar and tie in your pocket in case you need to enter a bank, for instance) when hiking in the 1920's. Beautifully written and nostalgic! “Don't forget to take the coffee pot ... “ he writes. I loved this little book, and his reflections on people, food, clothes, itinerary - lots of little individual chapters, so easy to pick up and read for a few moments. Originally published in 1926, The Gentle Art of Tramping is a guide for anyone who has dreamed of taking to the road with nothing more than a bag full of essentials and big ideas. It gives guidance on walking, on being open to discovery and on being kind - advice as relevant now as it was then. Again, small chapters so easy to pick up for a few moments to enjoy. It’s a delightful size too - fits in a bag or a pocket easily!

Click on the links above to get your copy of any of them.

WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS

And of course, I have to mention my book of our walk across France! Did you know

it has lots of colour photos in it, so you can actually see some of the places described in the book
it’s been listed for the annual Book Awards by the American Library in Paris. The finalists will be announced this autumn. Find out more here
It’s a travelogue, a memoir, a pilgrimage, and a Francophile’s description of S W France
It’s also available on Audible. But you can get a signed copy of the book if you click here.

Clockwise from top left: Stuck in a tree, The Green Path, Leaving Drax, pain in Eugenie-les-Bains

A WALKING PARTNER

I find that walking alone enables me to spend time with God. From the very beginning, God wanted a relationship with his people; he went "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8). God created us for the enjoyment of a walking relationship, involving companionship, dialogue, intimacy. In fact, I find it easier to talk to God when I’m out walking, chatting to him in a way I don’t when I’m at home.

Who do you walk with?

Where do you find it easiest to walk with God? To talk to God?

Drop me a line - I’d love to know! And I often pray for people when I walk so let me know how I can be praying for you. (confidentialially; I don’t share it with anyone else)

There are some affiliate links in this blog post. If you click through to buy one of the books, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Could you do with help right now?

May 12, 2020 by Penelope Swithinbank

Tricky times, these. Locked in, locked down, locked up …..

or the busiest you’ve ever been?

Bored at home or frantic at work?

I’ve come across some excellent resources that might be helpful for you too. Things such as Meaningful Meditation, Planning with Help and Hope, Walking (for real or from your armchair) Praying, and Daydreaming.

And let me know what you’re finding helpful during these pandemically challenging times.

MEANINGFUL MEDITATION

MEANINGFUL MEDITATION is offered by Olivia Shone a couple of times a week (for free! Thank you, Olivia!) There’s something extraordinarily helpful about being led in this. Olivia says:

Find... Peace | Strength | Freedom

Meaningful offers a welcoming space to individuals to find fullness of life. Experience peace instead of stress, discover strength in the face of life's challenges and find a freedom to live life fully. Meaningful meditation draws on ancient contemplative traditions and also uses modern techniques to offer a 'heavenly' experience that flows over into the 'everyday' so that a richer, stronger, fuller life is experienced. Meaningful mediataios are available on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings. Find out more about Olivia and how to sign up here. She writes: How certain are you feeling at the moment? We’ve just had an announcement from the PM which might have left you feeling a little uncertain as to what exactly is permitted and is safe. We are still living in uncertain times. However certainty is also a quality of our experience and is something that can be cultivated within and is not dependent on outward circumstances. (Here’s the secret: we can know inner calm, stability and certainty despite our circumstances! I have personally found this to be true over the personal challenges of the last 8 years of my life.)

Join her on Zoom this week for some inner calm!

PLANNING WITH HOPE AND HELP - Developing a bigger vision

Praying for your family, especially your children, nephews and nieces, grandchildren, cousins, can be a chore or a delight, a burden or a blessing. Susan Yates has just produced a free online resource to accompany her book, Cousin Camp. The free book is available on her website, and includes 100 ideas of activities for children of all ages to do this summer, even when you’re At Home! “One of the things we need most during this time is a Grand Vision,” says Susan. “Determine to dream big. Ask God to show you new things about Himself. Ask Him to give you a new vision for your family…”

The main book, Cousin Camp, is full of amazing ways to have a family reunion, whether it’s all the family, the young ones, cousins, nephews and nieces … loads of ideas.

The free resource is a very practical way to plan and dream big right now! Start planning now - and why not begin with this little free resource you can get here. I found it inspirational and very practical too.

WALKING - From the comfort of home!

I’ve just finished reading three GREAT books that I highly recommend, on walking. 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates emphasised that no medication could have such a broad effect as simply putting one foot in front of another. Walking is man’s best medicine, he said. Perhaps we are inspired by Colonel Captain Tom and his walk for the NHS …..

Erling Kagge's reflections on a life time of walking and how walking makes a difference to our lives. He is the first man to have walked to both Poles AND climbed Mt Everest! This is an illuminating examination of the joy of walking, and Kagge’s joy when he walks just shines through. “A walk refreshes and comforts and delights. Shut in at home, I would miserably decay and dry up.”

“Know how to tramp (ie long-distance walking or hiking) and you know how to live…” Stephen Graham, a man from a previous generation, gives advice on what to take (a collar and tie in your pocket in case you need to enter a bank, for instance) when hiking in the 1920's. Beautifully written and nostalgic! Don't forget the coffee pot ... I loved this little book, and his refections on people, food, clothes, itinerary - lots of little individual chapters, so easy to pick up and read for a few moments. ‘Originally published in 1926, The Gentle Art of Tramping is a guide for anyone who has dreamed of taking to the road with nothing more than a bag full of essentials and big ideas. It gives guidance on walking, being open to discovery and being kind - advice as relevant now as it was then.’ Again, small chapters so easy to pick up for a few moments to enjoy. It’s a delightful size too - fits in a bag or a pocket easily!

Click on the links above to get your copy of any of them.

DAILY ONLINE PRAYER: LECTIO 365

I’ve been listening to/using the LEctio 365 daily devotional while I walk.

It’s a brief yet profound 8-10 minutes of praise, reading, thought, prayer, and is currently doing a series on how to pray, based on Pete Grieg’s Book “How to Pray for normal people.” I love the succinct but meaningful reflections - some days that’s all I can cope with in these difficult times. Some days it gets me through. Some days it gives me a lot to think about. Written by the 24/7 prayer team and CWR, it’s based on the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, and on six practices that help us live like Jesus - prayer, mission, justice, creativity, hospitality and learning. Just download the (free) app and off you go.

The book’s quite good too!

DAYDREAMING - a lost art

A website with an article on daydreaming that I found interesting and helpful. I used to day dream, as a moody teenager; it’s something I’d forgotten about - and forgotten how to do. Maybe I need a hammock for a sunny Sunday afternoon ….. to relax and dream …..

Just a few box sets of the VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE still available at a third off the retail price. Click here to order.

There are some affiliate links in this blog post. If you click through to buy one of the books, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!