Friends. Everyone likes having good friends. We know that we wouldn't be here without the help of friends. Friends who have planted, painted, prayed, propped up and played in this place. Friends who have been there when needed.

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)

Friends who've been friends forever. Friends made since being here. The richness of a diversity of friendship.

"When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!" Job 42:10 (NLT)

Friends laugh, friends enable, friends support, friends pray. They rejoice, they mourn -

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Roms 12:5 (NIV)

And so the FRIENDS OF THE VINE is a much-needed group of people who support this ministry of retreats.

BUT WE NEED MORE FRIENDS in order to survive and provide this place for sanctuary and sustenance - a place which is really being appreciated by those who come.

"Thank you so much for such a wonderful few days of rest, refreshment and restoration. Before I came away I asked people to pray that God would speak and that I would have ears to listen and a heart to obey. These prayers have been answered, along with many more. Thank you so much. May the Lord bless you richly in your work here." (Vicar, North West England)

"I was treated like a princess!" (Vicar, Essex)

"A real treat - what a wonderful places to come and BE. Thank you!" (Writer, N London)

"I feel this has been a bit of a 'wake-up' call to both being aware of and receiving God's grace. It has been such a lovely, peaceful and blessed weekend - thank you so much!" (Chocolate consumer on the Hotel de Chocolate retreat!)

COULD YOU BE A FRIEND OF THE VINE too?

And join in this very special group of friends?

- receive a monthly update of news and views, of praise and prayer items

- notifications of upcoming events, retreats and pilgrimage dates before general release

- priority booking whenever possible

- free retreat nights (see below for details)

- invitation to the annual Open Day/Friends' event

- be a part of the this vital ministry, enabling people to take time out to BE with God, especially worn-out wearied clergy

- know that you are enabling Kingdom work to carry on!

WAYS TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE VINE

- donate monthly to the work of Ministries by Design

Every little helps - even £5 each month makes a big difference, when lots of people do it!

A minimum of £50 a month entitles you to 1 free night each year of donation

- make a one-off donation towards the work of the ministry

- or a one-off donation towards a specific item

one donation was specifically ear marked for a quarter page ad in the Church Times

£175 pays for 2 nights retreat for someone who otherwise could not come

£150 pays for the windows to be cleaned

£750 pays for the next tank of LPG gas

be creative and think outside the box - what could YOU do?

NEW! SPONSOR THE VOLUNTEERS

March 31st - April 4th, 10 people are coming on retreat for free.

In return, they will be working for 3 hours each afternoon. Sponsor their working hours in order to raise the funds to provide a summer house in the orchard as another much-needed space for people to use for retreating, for praying, for writing, for reading...

TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE VINE

click on this link:

http://www.ministriesbydesign.org/giving/

You can also give online through

if you are a UK resident and

if you are a US donor

You are a vital part of this ministry - your support and donation enable it to continue. Please might you prayerfully consider becoming a Friend of the Vine.

Thank you

FOR DETAILS OF RETREATS, DATES AND AVAILABILITY CLICK HERE

- including the next Writers' Weekends, Hotel de Chocolate retreat, Pilgrimages,

Individual Retreats, and "Stop'n'Be"