FED UP WITH LOCKDOWN?

November 17, 2020 by Penelope Swithinbank

FED UP WITH LOCKDOWN?

Finding it hard to hear from God?

Floundering around in these strange and challenging times?

Why not take a morning* to be revived and restored

*but you can do it at any time - read on…

When: Saturday November 28th 2020 – the day before Advent begins so that you are ready to step into Advent itself.

Time: 9.30am-12.30 (GMT London)

*but you can do it at any time as you’ll have forever access

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

- three hours on retreat for you to spend extra special time with God, something you might not actually get around to on your own!

- there’ll be some input, some time for personal reflection, some led meditation/ Imaginative prayer times.

- forever access to the recordings (*so you can have your retreat at a time to suit you, especially if you’re in a different time zone. Or do one hour a week for the next three weeks; whatever suits you and is helpful)

- a planning and preparation worksheet sent out in advance

- a downloadable journal for you to keep and write in

- recommended resources

- and a special free gift just for you.

Where: your own special Sacred Space. This is online. No need to worry about social distancing, masks, or what to wear! Relax in your comfy chair with your favourite brew, in your pjs if you like, and experience the presence of God in an unhurried and special way.

What: The Three Questions. Looking at three very specific questions asked by people in the months and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. They were living through uncertain and unprecedented times; they each had difficult personal situations; they each had their worries and concerns. Sound familiar?

Session One: The Question of Disappointment

Session Two: The Question of Inadequacy/self-esteem

Session Three: The Question of Control

The sessions will be recorded and you’ll be able to watch them whenever you like, so if you aren’t able to join us on 28th November, or if you are living in a different time zone, you’ll still be able to benefit from this retreat. There will be a 5 minute ‘comfort break’ between each session.

TO JOIN THE RETREAT, CLICK HERE:

https://penelopeswithinbank.com/orders/advent-retreat-nov-2020

The registration to join is just £20. All you need to provide is yourself, a pen, a candle, somewhere comfy to sit, and a cup of coffee or tea – or hot chocolate! YAY!

Come and join us on November 28th for just three hours that will probably change the way you celebrate Advent and then Christmas this year. It will be a live link via Zoom, and will be recorded for you to watch at any time. You’ll be sent the link beforehand to join the ADVENT RETREAT and then you can watch it and enjoy your Advent retreat at any time that’s good for you.

TO JOIN THE RETREAT, CLICK HERE:

https://penelopeswithinbank.com/orders/advent-retreat-nov-2020

And do pass this on to friends who might also be fed up with lockdown and benefit from an Advent retreat! Thank you.

I’m looking forward to having you join us for this special time.

NB - registration closes on Wednesday November 25th at midnight GMT

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!

How to plan a GFR for after lockdown

April 14, 2020 by Penelope Swithinbank

As heroic moves into disillusionment (see last week’s blog on these stages of lockdown) don’t we need some hope, something to look forward to? What better than to start planning for a Great Family Reunion. Or a get-together with friends. Or neighbours. Or everyone.

Me, I’m still hoping (against hope) that we can have Cousin Camp this year. All 6 grandchildren for two nights and three days, without their parents, who are allowed to go off in their pairs and enjoy some child-free time. We, the grandparents, do it every year, for as many of the grandchildren as we can – with 2 of them living in the USA it’s not always possible to have all 6, but this summer the American contingent were due to be coming here for a few weeks. This will be our fifth annual Cousin Camp; they love coming and anticipate it excitedly asking what this year’s theme will be and can they eat jelly with chopsticks again please please please.

I first heard about Cousin Camp from my dear friend Susan Yates, when we lived in the USA. She and her husband John have 21 grandkids and have been celebrating Cousin Camp for over a decade. She has shared ideas and creativity and suggestions about it; and I’ve gratefully translated them into ‘English English’ (as opposed to what ‘American English’ Cousin Camp might look like).

Imagine my joy when she told me she was writing a book about how to do it! And kindly asked me to contribute some of my ideas.

“COUSIN CAMP - a grandparents guide to creating fun, faith and memories that last.”

The book is easy to read, packed full of ideas and suggestions and is applicable not just to Cousin Camp but also to family reunions, friends’ get-togethers, marrieds or singles hosting …. There are pages for your notes, suggestions as you read through on how to implement your own ideas and re-create those of others. In fact, it’s a treasure trove and I highly recommend you hop on over (to your favourite on-line bookseller) and get a copy and start planning for your own event so that as soon as we’re able to see family and friends you’re ready to go with the Big Celebration. Looking forward to that with Hope and expectation!

What are you planning to do once lockdown is over?

AND – there’s another special box set available for you, to read while you’re not able to go for long walks.

Virtual Pilgrimage: 3 authors on their own pilgrimages: a box set with over a third off the retail price. Full details here. Only 20 sets available - GOING DEEPER, the first set, sold out in a week, so order this one soon.

TAKING MY GOD FOR A WALK by Tony Collins - battling inner turmoil while battling blisters on 400 miles of the Camino de Santiago

THE MAKING OF US by Sheridan Voysey - walking from Lindisfarne to Durham, while coming to terms with booked dreams and plans

WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS by Penelope Swithinbank - crossing France on foot from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, rebuilding a marriage one step at a time

If you’ve already got a copy of one of them, why not give the new copy to someone for a birthday or Christmas gift?

Or order a set to be delivered to a family member or friend with a birthday in April as a lovely surprise parcel !

order your set here