The Community of Aidan and Hilda – USA is having one of the UK Community Guardians join us in leading the Celtic Advent Retreat. It is a great honor to have Simon Reed. Participants are invited to be blessed by: presentations by Simon Reed.
Also participants at the location have the following options:
Mandala making, Labyrinth walk, Lectio Divina “inspired” guided mindfulness session on “Advent,” There are 5 inspired meals, lively sharing, and discussion, private beach walking/meditation opportunities, social event to include music, dance, and storytelling, culminating in a special worship gathering to include Holy Communion.
For those of us who don’t know Simon Reed, he has written a couple of books that are recommended for reading. He is one of the Guardians in the UK. Simon is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, West London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from the Celtic saints for the renewal of today’s church. He has written regularly for Scripture Union’s Closer to God Bible Notes for over ten years.
Recently he contributed a chapter to Ray Simpson’s book High Street Monasteries, giving a biblical perspective on this insightful introduction to contemporary ‘new monasticism’. He has been a seminar speaker at Spring Harvest and been involved in leading their reflective worship stream. From his own experience Simon believe if we adopt three practices – a way of life, a network of soul friends and a rhythm of prayer. To establish a way of life that coheres with New Testament practice and explores how to develop these in these following books. If you are interested in growing more in way of life that draws you closer to God and others in a faith journey.
The retreat is being held at St Christopher Camp and Conference Center
St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, an intentional Christian ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, is located on 314 acres of beach, maritime forest, and undisturbed salt marsh on Seabrook Island. On the Atlantic coast about an hour south of Charleston, it is the perfect destination for groups, families, and those looking to step away from life’s demands for a few days.
Our ministry staff is trained to serve in body, heart, and spirit. Come and swim near dolphins, walk through the woods, fish on the dock, or enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets on the East Coast. We invite you to find rest, restoration, and renewal at St. Christopher.
Sandi Kerner is Chaplain/Director of The Prayer Center at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
And without her being in this position at St. Christopher’s this opportunity could not have opened up for us to experience a retreat at this location. We are grateful for all that she has put into this event as the liaison with Simon Reed.
The Following Information is taken from the St. Christopher Website
Caught Up in Love: Celtic Prayer and Wisdom as We Wait, Watch, and Walk
The Prayer Center at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center is partnering with the Community of Aidan and Hilda USA to host a Celtic Advent Retreat December 9-11, 2022. The Community of Aidan and Hilda USA is a dispersed ecumenical Christian community of committed members, explorers, and friends who espouse a common way of life inspired by the Celtic saints whose communities evangelized and cared for creation and those on the margins of society, giving witness to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. For more information, check out the Community website: Community of Aidan & Hilda – USA | Community of Aidan and Hilda – USA (wordpress.com). This Community was founded in the UK in 1994 and has spread world-wide to North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and several Scandinavian countries. Some of the original founders include authors and speakers such as the Rev’ds Ray Simpson, Russ Parker, and Michael Mitton.
All are welcome to attend the retreat in person or on Zoom as we gather at St. Christopher and online. The Rev’d Simon Reed will lead our Advent retreat. He serves as one of the UK Guardians (Leaders of the Community) and is Vicar of Church of the Ascension, Ealing, and St. Mary’s, West Twyford, on the west side of London. Simon is the author of two books: Creating Community and Followers of the Way, both available on Amazon. He also contributed to Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love, a recently published compendium on the many forms of Celtic prayer.
Registration Information:
The cost for the retreat is $355 for a single room (limited availability) and $305 per person for a double room (2 beds). These fees cover lodging, meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast), and all program costs. Those who choose to join by Zoom will have access to presentations given and could form a discussion group online. The cost for joining online will be $100 per person to cover program costs. Some who join via Zoom could gather regionally in person to share a communal retreat experience. We invite you to consider a contribution toward scholarships if you are able. Others in need of assistance may request a partial scholarship. Charleston International Airport is about 45 minutes from Seabrook Island and we will do our best to assist with transportation to/from St. Christopher for air travelers.
A deposit of $100 per person is required to reserve a space on campus. For more information, contact Sandi Kerner, US Guardian, at skerner@stchristopher.org
Community of Aidan and Hilda - USA 
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