A January Survival Kit

A mini-series on alleviating, surviving, truimphing over, the bleak midwinter blues of January. Why not sign up to get the rest delivered straight into your  inbox!

If you missed part one you can catch up on it by clicking this link.

 

Here’s a mini survival kit for the midwinter blues. A friend sent it to me several years ago, and I’ve no idea where she found it.  I pass it on as a slightly tongue-in-cheek daily survival kit:  fill your bag with these few things and keep taking them out to remind yourself.

 

DAILY SURVIVAL  KIT 

to help you each day of this new year:

 

A Toothpick ... to remind you to  pick the good qualities in everyone, including  yourself.

A Rubber Band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always  go the way you want, but it can be worked out. 

A Plaster  ... to remind you to  heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

An Eraser ... to remind you  everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn from our  errors.

A chocolate (Hershey's Kiss) ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment  everyday.

A Mint  ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family  & me.

 Bubble  Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish  anything.

A Pencil ... to remind you to  list your blessings every day.

A Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over  that list of blessings.

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day 

May you have love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing,laughter, music, and  warm feelings in your heart in 2015.

 

AND, I have to add, the gratitude in counting each day's gifts gives so much blessing and a change of mental attitude. How can doing one such small simple thing make this enormous difference?

All is gift.

Counting blessings - are you too?

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV)

 

What would you add to this list?

 

 

What difference would it make if you slept for 24 hours?

She arrived for her two nights away,  late for supper. She hadn't come far - was the traffic bad, I wondered. No, she had inadvertently fallen asleep during the afternoon. She had cleared her busy parish diary from lunch time,  in order to come away on retreat, sat down after lunch before setting off to drive here - and had fallen asleep not realising how tired she felt. We fed her, she collected her bag from the car, went to her room - and didn't reappear until supper the next day. 

I admit I was a little worried  - people have sometimes, often,  slept all morning, but never all day! So by mid-afternoon I went to her room to check. She was curled up, fast asleep, and I had only woken her. I apologised and beat a hasty retreat. (no pun intended) But she appeared at supper, profusely and  incredibly grateful for the space and time and peace that had enabled her to sleep for nearly 24 hours. 

Before she left, she wrote in the visitors' book.  “I have, even in a brief couple of days, found a profound peace here, such a wonderful sense of God’s peace, which I needed to experience. Thank you for letting me sleep. This really is a wonderful place of God. I will be back!”

So The Vine is here for you - for you to sleep if that's what you need! And for many of us, exhausted from the endless pressures of daily life, what we need is the space and time to BE. To come and say, "I'm not doing very well .... I need time to rest, sleep, because I'm living and working out of tiredness.... I want to redefine my life by who I am in Christ not by what I am seen to be doing."

The Vine has the flexibility to enable you to have what you need, what will be most helpful. And sometimes that's rest, sleep. A massage, breakfast in bed, a good book or a magazine. There's a well stocked library, current issues of "Country Life," and no need to do or be anything or anyone.  

But, at other times, you need opportunities for something else - and we have that too:

STOP'N'BE! JUNE 13-15 IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL RETREAT EVENT

part of the national retreat events for the weekend of June 13 - 15 2014 and Ideal for those who have not experienced a retreat before. 

A time to step away from normal routines and try some space and sanctuary.

A guided retreat but with plenty of down time. And breakfast in bed if you would like. Walks, rhythm of prayers in Chapel, good food, comfy beds .... 48 hours of time to BE (with help on that if you need it!)

  • Friday, June 13, 2014 – Sunday, June 15, 2014

WRITERS' WEEKEND RETREATS

choice of dates:

JULY 11 - JULY 13

SEPTEMBER 19-21

A weekend of peace and quiet!

If you're a writer: time and space to get on with your opus magnum; chat with others over meals for further inspiration; encourage and support each other in getting down to the actual words on a page! And morning and evening hemming of the day with a guided devotional time to provide spiritual nourishment. If you just want space, time, peace ... this is the weekend for you! Breakfast in bed, time to relax, read, pray .... AND WRITE! Your hosts are each published writers.   Maximum of 5 people. Private en-suite rooms. Full board. 

  • Friday, July 11, 2014 – Sunday, July 13, 2014

 NEW: for  your diary

If you would like to come, book soon before these go online! 

-        Walking Holiday August 24 – 30 2014

There will be a different daily guided local walk, of some 7 – 10 miles, in various parts of the beautiful Cotswold areas near us, such as Castle Combe to Ford, Old Sodbury, the Cotswold Way near Bath. Daily devotional times. Dinner bed & breakfast provided (we stop for lunch at hostelries en route where you can purchase sustenance) Accommodation in twin rooms - maximum of 10 people. Fully guided walks, evening devotional sessions. Prices from just £490 for this 7 day holiday with 6 days of walking, DBB.  

-        Walking Week Summer 2015  FROM SPIRE TO SPA

Walking from Oxford to Bath through some of the loveliest of the southern Cotswold towns. Stay each night at The Vine for dinner bed and breakfast; transport out and back each day; (we stop for lunch at hostelries en route where you can purchase sustenance) Accommodation in twin rooms - maximum of 10 people. Further details and prices will be available soon.  Oxford is only an hour from us by car, Bath 30 minutes, so the drive each day is not as bad as it sounds at first!

To book on any of our retreats - whether guided or individual - please fill in the form HERE

Details of retreats can be found at:

http://www.thevine-at-maysfarm.com/retreats/

"Once we arrived, the house drew us in like a hug and neither of us had any inclination to go anywhere .....  The ultimate hosts are surely people who who provide the perfect atmosphere and space in which to rest and dream and spend time with God. Unwittingly, perhaps, Penelope has built the kind of haven she once desperately needed and was unable to find at the time.  It's clear she takes great pleasure in seeing others blessed by it." - Deborah, writing on her blog about her retreat at The Vine 


Living Adventiously

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What a week!  What an Advent week!

 

 

 

At the start of the week, some clergy arrived for a 3 day Advent Retreat. At the end of the week a group gathered in the Chapel for an Advent Away Day.

 

 

Pen & pup .jpg
from Anne Voskamp's book  "The Greatest Gift"

from Anne Voskamp's book  "The Greatest Gift"

From collecting twigs on a muddy walk to creating a twiggy Cross to hang on our Christmas trees; from recounting our family trees to planting bulbs (to watch and wait for a shoot to spring forth) ; from drinking  mulled wine to sharing communion together.  And through it all, the story of LOVE and PURPOSE, of a Baby who came to die. Of a Baby whose grace is for me - for you - for each one of us. 

And this. This. Thank you Jamie Brown for this: (click on that to hear an extract)

His tiny little hands will be nailed to a tree

His precious little feet will be pierced through for me

And his soft little lips will bless and forgive

Oh beautiful baby boy

 

His tiny little chest will be whipped and flogged

His precious little head will be stained with his blood

And his soft little cry will beg for my life

Oh beautiful baby boy

 

Oh beautiful baby boy. Oh holy Lamb of God

Away in a manger lies our perfect sacrifice

Oh beautiful baby boy

 

His tiny little eyes will seek out the poor

His precious little arms will welcome the whore

And his soft pudgy face is the image of grace

Oh beautiful baby boy

 

Living Advently - watching and waiting for a shoot to spring forth from the stem of David, a Baby, a beautiful baby boy. Who came for you and for me and for each one of us.

Oh beautiful baby boy. 

Amen. Even so, Come quickly Lord.

 

*   *  *  *  

And during the week, we offered two free nights on retreat at The Vine in return for tweeting/sharing/subscribing about the Vine. The winner's name was pulled from a Mays Farm mug containing all the names of those who entered, by one of Mb's Trustees.  Wendy Beech Ward was delighted when she discovered she had won! Congratulations to Wendy and many thanks to all of you who tried. Don't forget to book your own retreat for next year - whether Silent, Individual, walking or Chocolate, there's plenty to choose from but they are beginning to fill up so book soon!  

 

 

Diana picking a name

Diana picking a name

Win two nights on Retreat at The Vine at Mays Farm

in ,
Pen &; pup .jpg

Win two nights on Retreat

at The Vine at Mays Farm

I'll tell you how you can do that in just a minute!

Welcome to our new online home! Ministries by Design has a brand new website and a dot com address -  how exciting is that? Well, not very unless you are geeky, perhaps, but even I am excited by this beautifully designed and fresh looking up-to-date site!  Designed and managed by Kim Swithinbank, this new site is where you will now find us.

So, while you are here, take a look at next year's calendar (the link to it comes in a moment)  There are lots of exciting new retreats planned - including the one that always gets an "Oooooh!!!" when I mention it: Hotel de Chocolat. A two night retreat using Chocolate as an illustration of God's extravagant grace. Lots of treats in store over 48 hours - not least hot chocolate around the fire pit and chocolate tasting ..... book soon, because there are already some bookings and places are limited! 

WHY RETREAT?

Because our daily lives are typically filled and busy - things to do, people to see, life to live. And all that is good. But we each need time to BE - and at The Vine at Mays Farm we offer you the much-needed opportunity to step back from the chaos in your life. We offer an oasis, a place of spiritual sanctuary, a safe space to reconnect with God.

Mays Farm - over a hundred years ago!

Mays Farm - over a hundred years ago!

There are walking retreats 

and Silent Retreats

Retreats for clergy

and retreats for writers

Retreats to help you pray for others

and times for individuals to 'do their own thing.'

What would help you most? Which would suit you best? 

Maybe you find it easiest to connect with God when you are out in the countryside...

or when you are reflecting in silence in the Chapel...

Maybe you need others to share thoughts and experiences with....

or maybe you prefer to work through things on your own....

Maybe you like your own room...

or maybe you're happy to share a twin room (and pay a little less) ....

Maybe you'd like breakfast in bed ....

or maybe you prefer to keep the crumbs in the kitchen ...

..... Whatever you prefer, there is probably something to suit you, a time when you can step aside from 'normal' life, be revived and refreshed and renewed; and allow your roots to go deeper and remain in the Vine (John 15:4) You can hop over to the calendar/list of retreats here ... but don't forget to come back to find out how to win 2 free nights on retreat.

Pilgrims walking from San Gimignano to Montalcino , September 2013 

Pilgrims walking from San Gimignano to Montalcino , September 2013 

AND THERE'S MORE!

As well as retreats at The Vine at Mays Farm, we also lead Pilgrimages. In 2014 there will be two pilgrimages for you to choose. Both are on the Via Francigena, the old pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome. It passes through glorious countryside in Tuscany, and in early June, we will walk from Montalcino to Viterbo, an 8 day holiday, with a walk of 85 miles. In very early September, another 8 day holiday will be a walk from San Gimignano to Montalcino, slightly less strenuous and 68 miles of fabulous countryside.  Click here for photos and descriptions and more information.

* * * *

WIN TWO FREE NIGHTS ON RETREAT in 2014

Yes - any two nights at Mays Farm! You might choose Hotel de Chocolat, or the walking retreat or your own individual retreat. But your two nights will be absolutely free, and will include all meals (except lunch on walking retreats). 

To enter the free draw you can either:

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE BLOG IN YOUR EMAIL

HIT SHARE ON FACE BOOK  to share this post with your friends.

RETWEET ON TWITTER including the hashtag @minstriesbydsgn

For every time you do one of those things, your name will be entered into a hat and one name will be chosen by a Board Member who is here on a retreat this week! So the more times you share/retweet, the more opportunities you have to be chosen.

The draw closes on Tuesday December 11th at midnight (GMT) and a name will be chosen the next morning and the winner announced sometime on Wednesday.

* * * *

There are places still available on the ADVENT AWAY DAY on Saturday December 14th (10am - 3.30pm) but otherwise 2013 is now fully booked! Look at the calendar for 2014 and book soon.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Vine at Mays Farm. In the meantime,

GO WELL AND GO WITH GOD

www.ministriesbydesign.org

www.thevine-at-maysfarm.com

 

 

 

 

This might cheer you up on a wet Monday morning ...

in

It's wet and grey and cold. Half term is over and gone; it's a long time time to your next little holiday. November is upon you and there's so much to do and organise before December 25th. So might you need a break?  Or even the thought of one booked in? Some time and space to BE. Even just for 24 or 48 hours ....

Spending the morning tucked up in bed with your breakfast brought to you, and time to read, pray, doze ....

Taking a short brisk walk across rolling countryside to clear your mind and breath deep in fresh air ....

Curling up by a roaring wood burning stove, reading, thinking, BEing ....

Ending the day with a candlelit prayer time in an ancient chapel ....

Sleeping in a large comfy bed ....

*  *  *  *

Or maybe you are in need of something more - well, proactive.  Long walks, good company, plenty of devotional input to help you reconnect with God ...

Or writing. Time and space and quiet to get those words out and through your fingers, on to the page. Not having to stop to cook or shop or work at something else, but a weekend to write knowing that others are doing the same nearby and will want to talk to you over supper about all those words ....

Or some weeding, maybe; feeling the soft damp earth crumble in your fingers, thinking of the things of the Lord as you tend the plants  ...

*  *  *  * 

And if none of the above are quite what you feel you need - there's always chocolate.

Chocolate as a reminder of the good things that God gives.  Of His extravagant grace.

Chocolate that  has to be tasted, experienced, enjoyed.

You know you love it. You know it's the answer no matter what the question. God's extravagant grace, that is.

A whole weekend to relish that grace - and the chocolate. What could be more fun than that - and to look forward to spending a dull February weekend having a blast as you go deeper into experiencing that extravagant grace.

Hotel de Chocolate indeed.

*  *  *  *

So, as you view the prospect of a November week of wind and rain, a long to-do list, people needing you, not enough time to BE - maybe you need to book yourself in to The Vine at Mays Farm and come and be pampered as you take the time to reconnect with the Lord, be refreshed, remember to remain in the Vine (John 15:4)

The new programme for January to March is available here.

What are you waiting for? Book in - you know you need it!

*  *  *  *

And if you can't wait that long ...

 

 

If you need time to think about putting Christ back into Christmas, there are still a few places available on the Advent Away Day.   Saturday December 14th. Full details if you click here

 

 

 

*  *  *  *

Which retreat do YOU need to have lined up, to cheer this week's rush and weather?

Where might YOU find the Lord again?

When do YOU need to come?

 

 

Mainly for Americans - but other can sneak a peek!

in ,

I've added a couple of books on to my Kindle today. Which is exciting because it means it's nearly time to 'fly the friendly skies' and cross The Pond once again. Three whole weeks in the United States of America is fast approaching - part work and part vacation. Visits to friends and family - including Thanksgiving with the grandsons. No wonder I'm excited! And one of most exciting things is having the opportunity to meet with friends and acquaintances and soon-to-be-friends in 3 different states - California, South Carolina and Virginia.

So here is your invitation to a special event - YOU ARE INVITED!  

It would be wonderful to see you - and you can bring your friends too, anyone who might like to come to Mays Farm, or come on a Pilgrimage with us in Italy. There will be a presentation with photos and video clips; and the opportunity to find out more about future events.

Plus, find out how you can 'own' part of a 17th Century chapel in the Cotswolds.

All you need to do is email me (penelope@ministriesbydesign.org) to say you would like to come, and to which event, and how many you are bringing with you. You will then receive your invite with full details of the event.

 

The Revd Penelope & The Revd Kim Swithinbank

are back in town and would love to catch up with you & your news!

Come and hear about their new ministry

Ministries by Design:

-       retreats at Mays Farm in the Cotswolds

-       pilgrimages & walking holidays in Italy and the Cotswolds

-       discover how you can be a part of a 17th century Cotswold building!

 

CALIFORNIA:

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15

San Rafael CA 94903

Cocktails at 6.30pm  dinner at 7.30pm

Kindly hosted by Jennifer & Ken Kroner

SOUTH CAROLINA

Friday, November 22

 Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island SC 29455.  

5:00 -  6:30pm

Wine & Cheese

Kindly hosted by Sue & Quentin Jackson

VIRGINIA

Tuesday December 3

The Falls Church Rectory, Falls Church, VA 22046

6:00 - 8:00pm

Wine and Cheese

Kindly hosted by the Revd John and Mrs Susan Yates 

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

*  *  *  *

For full information about The Vine at Mays Farm/retreats/Quiet Days: click HERE 

On next week's blog: Hotel du Chocolat.  Places will be limited so make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to be blessed by God's extravagant grace

The First Retreat ... and more photos

in

They came. And almost unbelievably they stayed. Mays Farm is still a building site and the outside is a mess.

The inside is not much better.

But four guinea pigs - sorry, wonderful retreatants, came and stayed. They glamped; slept on mattresses on the floor. Put up with windows which not only had no curtains but often had no glass; one even has no window. Ate in the garden for there is no table yet in the house. And they smiled and remained pleasant. They had time to be, rest in the hammock, read, pray, relax. They also helped, mostly in the garden, or helping unpack kitchen boxes. We had compline by moonlight, lectio divina in sunlight. The water flooded and was turned off. And on. And off.

A weekend of Preview Retreat. Now they are gone. Tomorrow, four more arrive this time for a guided silent retreat.

I pray that each woman goes away saying, "Surely the Lord is in this place" (Gen 28:16) because they have met with him in some way in this place of sanctuary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another month of preview retreats and the house will be very very nearly ready.

Make sure you book your retreat for the autumn - details on the Retreat page

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a mark - and win a free Retreat!

in

Time capsules. Weird or wonderful? Worth doing or will they rot  - or be unintelligible in decades to come? We are thinking of burying one beneath the floorboards. And as the floor boards are about to be refurbished and relaid, it's time to think of what might be encapsulated.

various rooms as they are at the moment! 

Photos of how it was before we started? they might fade.

A Memory stick? it might be unreadable or uncomprehensible.

So what would you put into our time capsule - what legacy might we leave to be discovered in another 100 years or so? Things that would show future generations that this is a special place, of spiritual sanctuary for those in need of space and solace, of finding time for God again, for rest and renewal and refreshment? 

Scripture verses? Maybe a Bible? Descriptions of the Retreats?

Have a think and leave a comment!

And while you are thinking, think too about our Preview (free!) Retreats for this summer - we have had an amazingly high number of enquiries and application forms are coming thick and fast so if you want to apply, send yours in very soon! Here are the details in case you missed them: an invite to join us as our guests.

The Vine @ Mays Farm will be opening September 2013. We want our Time Capsule filled and buried next week though - so jot down your suggestions and we will let you know what we choose, and post some photos!

And, the best suggestion will win a FREE NIGHT OF RETREAT, to be taken during September this year, as one of our first retreatants! (Entries will be judged by the Ministries by Design Board of Trustees and staff) Competition closes on April 2nd 2013.

We'd love that you be YOU - so get creative and think of what to put in the Mays Farm Time Capsule!

 

 

 

 

Invitation to not-so-quiet Quiet Day on April 1st.

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Ministries by Design will be using an old farmhouse in N Wiltshire on the edge of the Cotswolds, which we are renovating.  The Vine @Mays Farm will be a place of spiritual sanctuary, spiritual restoration, spiritual abiding in the Vine (John 15). Regular updates here! So sign up (>>>) to get the updates delivered into your inbox. Might you pray for us as we undertake this enormous project? and come and visit - and maybe help? - whenever you can. Visitors always welcome! 

And visitors - you! - are especially welcomed on EASTER MONDAY - April 1st 2013.

No, this is not an April Fool's Joke - we truly are inviting you to come to Mays Farm for a Retreat Day on April 1st, FOR FREE!  Included in the day  -

* coffee/tea and a light breakfast on arrival, from 9.30am

* Morning devotional session at 10.00am

* Lunch at 1  - about 40 minutes to mingle and munch

* Tea break at 2.45pm

* Closing devotional session at 4pm for about 30-40 minutes

 

You've spotted the gaps - morning and afternoon seem free. And indeed they are; but we really hope that while you are praying/thinking/meditating you will offer your hands to help with a task around Mays Farm.  Likely projects include wallpaper stripping, weeding the garden, planting out some rhododendrons we've been given, cleaning up and pruning the raspberries, sanding , general tidying,  cleaning up and then decorating the outside double loo  ....

Double view!

All you need to bring is work gloves and old clothing; we will supply everything else. Although, if you have any suitable tools  which could be used do please bring them to use yourself.

If you intend to come, please RSVP by March 25 so that we know how many to plan and cater for!