The Festival of Prayer
Organised by BRF with the Diocese of Oxford.
Refresh - Renew - Restore - Discover
A day to explore different aspects of spirituality and prayer.
- Introduction
- About the venue
- About the day
- Keynote address
- Workshops available during the day
- About Speakers at the Festival of Prayer
- How to book
Introduction
The Festival of Prayer 2012 is a day conference for those who would like to taste or delve deeper into different ways of praying. It builds on the success of the first Festival last year.
When: Saturday 7 July 2012, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Ripon College, Cuddesdon, nr Wheatley, Oxford OX44 9EX (see map)
Cost: £24 per person (discount available - book five places but only pay for four).
About the venue
The Festival of Prayer is taking place at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, nr Wheatley, Oxford. A map is shown below.
View The Festival of Prayer in a larger map
The parish church will have a portable speaker and loop system for the day to improve audibility.
About the day
Timings
- The Festival will start at 10.00am in Cuddesdon Parish Church with a welcome by the Bishop of Dorchester, Colin Fletcher, and the keynote address by Angela Tilby. It will end with a reflection and final prayer in the church by 5.00pm.
During the day
- There will be a keynote address, a number of workshops and other prayer activities to choose from, bringing together the interconnectedness of prayer and life. This is a chance to learn about different ways of praying and to see whether they work for you - whether you want to renew an interest or try something new.
- During the rest of the day, you will be able to choose up to four sessions in workshops or other activities. This year many of the topics will be covered by two workshops - a 'taster' session and a second one for those who wish to 'go deeper'. These workshops stand alone - you needn't attend the introductory session in order to enjoy the second one. The list of workshop options is below.
- Throughout the day there will be bookstalls by BRF and the Northumbria Community, and Siobhan Fraser's painted icons as meditative prayer stations in the church and the prayer labyrinth on the college lawn (see particularly workshops marked with 'Personal space' below).
Catering
- Coffee and tea will be provided. Bring your own lunch.
Keynote address
10:00 am - Angela Tilby will be giving a keynote address to introduce the day.
Workshops available during the day
Please note:
* Limited access (venue has two steps up to it)
** No disabled access (venue only accessible by stairs)
Session 1 - 11.15 am - 12:00 pm
1. Carmel and the Desert Tradition: prayer and Carmelite spirituality with Peter Tyler
Carmelite Prayer arises from the Desert Tradition with which the founding fathers of the Order were very familiar. Following the origins of the Order in 13th century Palestine, political circumstances forced the relocation of the founders to Northern Europe. The subsequent history of the Order has been the attempt to live 'the desert in the city'. In this workshop we shall examine what that means for us today.
2. Rublev's Icon of the Trinity with Ann Persson
Andrei Rublev painted or 'wrote' his beautiful icon in about 1425. It was originally known as the Hospitality of Abraham and it has become probably the best-known and the best-loved icon from the Eastern Orthodox Church. Ann will seek to draw out its full significance and will also reflect on the Bible story that inspired the icon. The workshop will include some silence to enable participants to have time for their own meditation on the icon. Ann Persson is the author of The Circle of Love - Praying with Rublev's Icon of the Trinity, in which she shares her journey of discovery about the traditions of iconography, including a mid-winter pilgrimage to see the icon and the Russian monastery for which the icon was originally commissioned.
3. Franciscan Prayer - Poverty/Simplicity with Sr Helen Julian CSF
Poverty was central to the spirituality of both Francis and Clare. Paradoxically it has always been a controversial value in Franciscan life, and it raises real questions today. How can poverty ever be a good thing? Is it just about money? How can it be a liberating practice for 21st century Christians, Franciscans and non Franciscans?
4. Ignatian Prayer - Introduction with Sr Mary Stephen CSJB
Ignatius of Loyola's ideas on prayer have inspired many people to form a more vivid relationship with God through contemplation on the Gospels. His ideas on discernment - how we find God's will in our own lives - are an eye-opener, and we'll explore what these aspects of his teaching have to offer us all. There will be opportunities to pray and to share our own insights if we wish.
5. The Jesus Prayer with Hugh Wybrew**
Each of the two workshops will look at the Jesus Prayer, what it is, how it is understood theologically in the Orthodox Church, and how it is practiced. Some time in each of the workshops will be devoted to praying the Jesus Prayer (see also workshop 23).
* 6. Labyrinth - Introduction to history and spirituality with Sally Welch
This workshop will be a practical guide to walking the labyrinth. It will take you beyond following the path to a deeper level of understanding of the history and spirituality of the labyrinth. It will explore the labyrinth as a way on engaging with contemporary culture and as a liminal space, ideal for working in non-church environments. The workshop will touch on the history of the labyrinth and how to enable a Christian focus. It will end with an opportunity to walk a labyrinth.
** 7. Benedictine Prayer - Introduction with Mary Crameri
This workshop will cover the main tenets of the Benedictine way and prayer. There will be a discussion as to how we can live out the Benedictine way in the twenty-first century and if time, be an opportunity for questions.
Session 2 - 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
8. Labyrinth - Practical ways of making and then using different forms of it in prayer with Sally Welch
This workshop is designed for those who have already attended the first labyrinth workshop or who have some experience of using labyrinths. It will offer a forum for exchanging ideas on using the labyrinth for personal prayer or in corporate worship, give the opportunity to practise labyrinth-making skills, and demonstrate how labyrinths can be walked even without the aid of a pattern drawn out on the ground.
9. Praying with icons as prayer stations and/or walking the labyrinth - Personal space
You may want to keep this session free in which to reflect and digest - by visiting the icons in the church, the labyrinth on the college lawn or the bookstalls, having a cup of coffee or by just 'being'.
Praying with icons as meditative prayer stations
Siobhan Fraser's icons are written/painted using the age-old traditional techniques of the early Roman Church, by means of gesso on board, tempera and water-gilded gold leaf. Alongside the icons is a display of work in progress; here the pigments, gesso and gold used in the creation of an icon give an insight into the techniques used in Byzantium.
and / or
Walking the Labyrinth in prayer
The labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in Christian traditions in various forms around the world. There are many ways to describe it. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul. There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Use the labyrinth in any way that meets your need.
The labyrinth has only one path, so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. It has a single circuitous path that winds into the centre. The person walking it uses the same path to return and the entrance then becomes the exit. The path is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally.
Generally there are three stages to the walk: 'releasing', or opening your mind to what God might want to say to you, on the way in, 'receiving' in the centre and 'returning'; that is, taking back out into the world that which you have received.
10. Celtic Prayer 1 with Northumbria Community
If you move to a new place and you are courageous enough, ask the locals for help and they'll tell you how best to live. In these islands, on what was once the 'ends of the earth' the locals who have inspired the prayers and liturgies of Northumbria Community are the Irish and Northumbrian saints from the early medieval period to our present day. They have their particular, indigenous accent and idiom, the heart of which encourages us to consider how we might pray in our own words, with our own accent. This workshop explores the liturgies of Northumbria Community, their inspiration and the rhythm of each day, each season of our lives, with opportunity to compose prayers in our own 'accent'.
11. Mysticism for everyone with Emma Pennington
Mystical prayer and those who have attempted to articulate it have increasingly fascinated our world of blogs and twitters. The idea that God can be known intimately within the silence of encounter draws those who would say they never went to church into a search for God. The workshop on 'Mysticism for Everyone' is open to everyone who finds themselves on this search. We will not only share our experiences of what Rolle called the 'fire of love' but also plumb the depths of the vast body of mystical writings in order to seek guidance on how to discern and nurture this encounter. Whilst this workshop aims to deepen our own Christian search for God, it will also explore the extent to which the mystical aspects of other religions enable us to have a deeper understanding of other people's faith and devotion. It's not a place where you will find all the answers but it will be an opportunity to explore and share your love of God.
* 12. Spiritual Direction 1: Introduction - for seekers with Andrew Meynell
Many of us wonder: how can I respond more deeply to God's presence in my life? How can I move forward towards wholeness and freedom? What do I really think and feel about my faith? How do I know that I am making the best decisions when big life issues face me?
A spiritual director or companion could help you explore these questions. This workshop will introduce the idea of a companion who could 'walk' with you in listening and discerning the way forward in your faith and life. A listening exercise and a discussion on what you might be looking for, will be included in the workshop, as well as some practical ways in which to find the right spiritual director for your needs.
** 13. Silence and Solitude with Br Nicholas Alan SSF
Silence and solitude are two of the spiritual disciplines that have almost universally been found to be helpful in developing the spiritual life of prayer. This workshop will look at some of the foundations of this practice in the Christian tradition - starting from the life of Jesus and the sayings of the desert fathers and mothers in Egypt and Palestine, through to modern day hermits such as Thomas Merton and Verena Schiller.
Session 3 - 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
14. Contemplative Art in the Making with Rebecca Hind
The artist shows how she expresses the spiritual content of Water as both water-colour and subject. The spillage and flow of watercolour paint are coaxed into representing the rush of a breaking wave. This workshop will allow participants to keep silence and observe the development of a painting. The process involves the mixing, pouring and controlling of paint as it spreads and diffuses through moisture on the paper. Thus the medium describes its own energy and invites the viewer to consider the symbolism of water as it moves, stills and evaporates.
15. Icons - Images of Christ with Ann Persson
Are you someone who responds to the visual and find it a helpful focus for prayer? In this workshop, we will look at a few images of Christ, both icons and paintings, which will illuminate different facets of Jesus Christ our Saviour - his majesty and glory, his kindliness, the one who delights to bless and come alongside us; who holds out the Scriptures to us and who, out of love allowed himself to suffer and die. Each image will be followed by a short period of silence in which to gaze on the projected image and allow God to speak into our hearts.
16. Celtic Prayer 2 with Northumbria Community
A meditation from the Northumbria Community prayers reads:
Even though the day be laden
and my task dreary
and my strength small,
a song keeps singingin my heart.
For I know that I am Thine.
I am part of Thee.
Thou art kin to me,
and all my timesare in Thy hand.
Alistair Maclean
What is that 'song in my heart'? In a practical session of song, prayer, scripture and silence we experience and explore possibilities for creating our own rhythm of prayer that might sustain us whatever our circumstances.
17 Ignatian Spirituality: more on the Examen with Sr Mary Stephen CSJB
The afternoon workshop assumes some personal experience of using the examen. It would be helpful to have read at least the first few chapters (not necessarily recently) of Sleeping with Bread by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn. (Paulist Press: around £11. 00. If you have a Kindle, it's available for £7.79).
** 18. Praying through the Passions with Angela Tilby
I hope to explore the practical theology of Evagrius Ponticus for understanding the life of prayer and its connection to growth in the positive virtues. Evagrius' understanding of human psychology makes him an important figure in early spirituality and his insights today are fresh, profound and non-judgemental.
** 19. Benedictine - Reading with God - Lectio Divina with Mary Crameri
An opportunity to experience a Benedictine way of praying - Lectio Divina.
This workshop will begin with a brief explanation of 'lectio divina', both for individuals and group prayer. There will then be an opportunity to share in a shared group lectio. No previous experience of this way of praying is necessary!
Personal space
You may want to keep one session free during the day in which to reflect and digest – by visiting the icons in the church, the labyrinth on the college lawn (See Workshops 9 & 20 for details) or the bookstalls, having a cup of coffee or by just 'being'.
Session 4 - 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
20. St Teresa of Aliva and St John of the Cross: Symbol and Prayer with Peter Tyler
The Medieval Mystical Tradition developed a unique way to understand prayer through symbol. The Spanish late medieval Carmelites, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, were masters of this approach and used this frequently in their work. In our workshop together we shall explore their work together through sounds, music, art and poetry.
21. Praying with icons as prayer stations and/or walking the labyrinth - Personal space
See description of session 9.
22. Julian of Norwich with Emma Pennington
Who was Julian of Norwich? Emma will introduce Julian and place her in the context of 14th century England. Why is there a fascination today with her life and the Revelations of Divine Love? What has she to say to us in the 21st century? The workshop will include a look at some of the main issues in her writings.
23. The Jesus Prayer with Hugh Wybrew
Each of the two workshops will look at the Jesus Prayer, what it is, how it is understood theologically in the Orthodox Church, and how it is practiced. Some time in each of the workshops will be devoted to praying the Jesus Prayer (see also workshop 5).
** 24. Franciscan Spirituality - Introduction with Sr Helen Julian CSF
For Franciscans prayer is more an attitude than a system. It stems from gratitude for God's gifts, gives time to simply gazing on God, and is centred on praise and on devotion to Christ. Francis and Clare, the founders of the Franciscan way, didn't write much about prayer, but we can learn how they prayed from stories about them. In this workshop we will hear some of these stories and have time to experience one or more ways of Franciscan praying.
* 25. Spiritual Direction 2 - for potential directors with Andrew Meynell, Alison Hassall & Sue Sheppy
Do you often have people ask you to help them with pressing questions about their life or their faith - whether formally or informally? If so, you may like to engage in some training to help you in this valuable one-to-one work.
This workshop will introduce the type of training that is available locally to develop the skill and confidence of those who are already being turned to by others for help on their spiritual journey, as well as broadening their own concept of spirituality and deepening their prayer life. The workshop will include a role play of a spiritual direction session and will provide an opportunity for questions about the process of becoming a director, and the resources available for ongoing development and growth.
** 26. Pathways into Silence with Br Nicholas Alan SSF
Journeying into the practice of prayer involves learning the skills of developing a quiet mind. This workshop will explore some of these contemplative practices, drawing on the insights of the hesychast (silent prayer) tradition of Orthodoxy and the anonymous English treatise The Cloud of Unknowing. The time together will include a period of guided meditation.
* Limited access (venue has two steps up to it)
** No disabled access (venue only accessible by stairs)
About Speakers at the Festival of Prayer
Brother Nicholas Alan is a member of the Anglican religious community The Society of St Francis. For the last ten years he has been resident at Glasshampton Monastery - a place to which people come for silent retreat and spiritual renewal. He is particularly interested in the practice of meditative prayer and contemplative awareness.
Sr Mary Stephen Britt CSJB is a sister in the Anglican community of St John Baptist and an Associate Priest in Hanborough and Freeland. She has been excited by Ignatian Spirituality for a long while, and has been involved in retreat work and spiritual direction for a number of years. She has also taught on several SpiDir courses.
Mary Crameri is a retired priest, a mentor and spiritual director, with long-held links with a Benedictine community. She attended the first world Congress for Benedictine Oblates in Rome in 2005. She tries to live her daily life underpinned by the rule of St. Benedict.
Siobhan Fraser has had a life-long interest in iconography. She was trained in fine art at West Surrey College of Art and postgraduate at London University. She has travelled widely visiting museums, churches and monasteries in Greece, Turkey and Italy researching holy images. Her specialism is the traditional techniques of icon painting.
Rebecca Hind is an artist working predominantly with paint. Her large-scale watercolours push the technical boundaries of the medium in unexpected ways, offering a visual and contemplative intensity. This aesthetic depth is exemplified in scintilla : the glittering speck, a triptych reredos painting at Christ Church, Spitalfields in London. Further information from her website and on Youtube.
Helen Julian is an Anglican Franciscan sister; she joined the Community of St Francis in 1985, and has recently become Minister General of the community. She has written several books for BRF and is a regular contributor to New Daylight.
Andrew Meynell is a spiritual director and member of the ecumenical SpiDir network's 'Holding Group'. His priestly ministry has been in the Oxford Diocese, and before he retired, he assisted people in discovering their vocation in his role as Director of Ordinands in Buckinghamshire.
Emma Pennington is Vicar of Garsington, Horspath and Cuddesdon. She has tutored and lectured extensively on Christian spirituality, especially at Oxford University, where she is engaged in doctoral research on Julian of Norwich - a project she began when she was chaplain of Worcester College.
Ann Persson enjoys combining her love of nature and her love of the Bible in the Quiet Days that she leads. Her first book, The Circle of Love - praying with Rublev's Icon (2010) and her second book Time for Reflection - Meditations for Use through the Year (2011) were both published by BRF.
Sarah Pillar is a Companion in Northumbria Community, living in Worcestershire with her husband Edward and her children, Zoe and Isaac. Northumbria Community is a network of people united in a desire to embrace and express an ongoing exploration of a new monasticism as a new way of living Christianly in a changing world.
Angela Tilby is a Residentiary Canon at Christ Church and the Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser for Oxford Diocese. She was formerly the Vicar of St Bene't's Church in Cambridge and worked before that in television and in theological education. She is well known as a broadcaster and preacher.
Sally Welch is a priest who lives and works in Oxford. She has a particular interest in the history and practise of pilgrimage, and has undertaken several long-distance pilgrimages. She is the Diocesan Labyrinth Advisor and lectures on spirituality and the use of labyrinth walking in prayer. She is currently studying for PhD in material religion.
Hugh Wybrew is a retired Anglican priest living in Oxford, where he was Vicar of St Mary Magdalen's parish from 1989 to 2004. Since student days he has had many contacts with Orthodox Christians in Russia, East European countries and in Jerusalem. From 1974 to 2007 he was a member of the International Commission for the Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue.
How to book
Please book your tickets here. Please note that after booking it is not possible to change your workshop choices.
