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Even in Darkness, Light Dawns: a Poetry and Prayer Retreat
As Advent approaches, Demelza and Helen invite you to spend a peaceful weekend inspired by what poets, psalmists and New Testament authors have written on the powerful theme of darkness and light.
The retreat, held gently in a framework of simple prayer and some silence, offers: group reading and discussion of poems; prompts to inspire your own writing; one-to-one meetings on request for spiritual direction or poetry conversation; and free time for rest, reading, writing, and private prayer.
Whether you’re new to poetry or an experienced writer, we hope you’ll be blessed with fresh insights into its richness as a resource for your spiritual journey.
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Arrival is through the afternoon on the Friday in time for 5:30pm. All meals are included, along with tea/coffee throughout. The retreat will end after lunch on the Sunday.
To book your place or request further details, please email: office@srpf.org.uk or call the office on 01494 881037.
Leaders: Helen Evans and Demelza Henderson
Helen is a writing tutor and poet. Her debut pamphlet (Only by Flying, HappenStance Press, 2015) drew upon her experiences as a glider pilot, and her work features most recently in Mariscat Sampler One (Mariscat Press, 2024). Her poem That Angel Hovering was a joint winner of the Manchester Cathedral 600 Poetry Competition. Helen facilitates two poetry projects: Poems for the Path Ahead; and Inner Room, a pioneer lay ministry from the Parish of Central Exeter. www.helenevans.co.uk
Demelza is a licensed Reader/LLM and spiritual director in the diocese of Exeter, and has been leading retreats and quiet days since 2012. She is an Oblate of the Society of Our Lady of the Isles, which combines her love of the natural world with a deep appreciation of contemplative prayer. She works as Administrator of the Association for Promoting Retreats and as a virger in Exeter Cathedral.
“ Thank you so much for everything that you and your team did for our family yesterday. Everything went so smoothly and everyone said what a wonderful venue St Katharine's was both in terms of food and venue. Your team were absolutely outstanding and made the day very easy for us. ”
CM - Feb 2020
“ Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was perfect. The memorial garden is wonderful and so good to have time to sit and appreciate the atmosphere. ”
Rosemary
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Please convey my thanks to all who were involved. May God bless you all ”
J.K. London 2022
“ Stunning house and gardens both are beautifully cared for. Staff were wonderful and vegan food was delicious. Thank you for a wonderful day. ”
Melissa - Sept 2022
“ Just a short note of thanks for my wonderful day at St. Katherine's yesterday. It was such a fruitful and blessed time with God. Please pass on my thanks for the warmth of the welcome. I look forward to booking another day with you in the future and will be in touch then. ”
Sheila - April 2022
“ I just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff for a wonderful retreat weekend. Everything was just lovely - the location, the accommodation and the food. It was a truly refreshing time and having everything arranged so perfectly meant that there were no distractions to relaxing and hearing from God ”
Rachel - April 2022
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. ”
Jenny - March 2022
“ Many thanks to all those who made our retreat such a success. Peaceful surroundings with ideal facilities and great hospitality made for a memorable time. ”
VW - Nov 22
“ We had a marvellous time last week. The house is so clean and tidy and beautifully supportive of quiet yet productive prayer. It is a credit to you all. ”
LD - Nov 22
“ I was with you today for the Deanery Retreat Day and it was so lovely to be there, and we were so well looked after – thank you so much! ”
JD - Nov 22
“ It was a WONDERFUL venue and we very much enjoyed meeting you, and were blessed by the amazing hospitality by you and your team. Thank you so much. ”
DH - Dec 2022
“ Please pass on my thanks and appreciation for my two day stay last week. The meals were all great and my stay was a real help to me and I hope to be coming back again in the next few months. ”
TP - Feb 2023
“ Thanks for letting us use St Katherine's this last couple of days. We had a lovely time and were very well looked after. The ladies really loved being there and felt very much that they had got away from the stresses of everyday life. ”
RM - March 2023
“ Thank you for a super day on Saturday. There has only been positive feedback from everyone. We were well looked after by your catering team. The Prayer Room worked well - and the sun came out in the afternoon, so the team up top also doing marvellous work. ”
LW - March 2023
“ A huge thanks for a WONDERFUL time at our men's weekend away. ”
SB - March 2023
“ We had a wonderful day in so many ways. Loved the food and the setting, the sense of space and peace there is so tangible. ”
SW - May 2023