Oblates’ Meetings and Retreats
Dates for your diary
Saturday 13th July 2024 Oblates’ Annual Summer Meeting
Tuesday 1st – Friday 4th October 2024 Retreat to be led by Sr Elizabeth, Tymawr Community. Focus on silent prayer; more details to follow.
Oblates’ Summer Meeting, August 2023
In August, we held our annual Oblates’ Summer Meeting. Our theme was based around Psalm 71, specifically verse 20, the turning point from looking backwards to looking forwards to the future; hence the title of the day, “And yet…”.
We started the day with the Eucharist in St Mary’s Chapel led by Rita Bell with Anna Sketchley as Deacon, Mary Harwood played the organ, Jennie Keyte led our intercessions, and Anna Sketchley and Maria Dent read. Sister Lizzie Ruth preached: her sermon was inspirational, and was made available to everyone afterwards.
Maria Dent led the afternoon activities with Oblates and Sisters working together. Through conversation and the medium of collage, we celebrated our vocations, and reflected on what it means to be an Oblate. The outcomes are being used to create meditations, shared via our monthly Jottings and made available here.
During the day, Sister Stella shared the Community news, and via Zoom, we were able to share news with South African Oblates. At the end of the day, there was opportunity to make renewals.
Above: Sisters and Oblates gather at the Annual Summer Meeting in August 2023
“Read, Rest and Reflect” Retreat, October 2023
In October, the “Read, Rest and Reflect” retreat took place.
Six Oblates attended and following an initial meeting and enjoying tea and cake, we went to Vespers, then began the silence. We were able to spend our time either in silent contemplation, in reading or walking, whilst being held by the rhythm of the Offices and mealtimes. We all met together from 4pm for a talking tea, which was lovely for us in getting to know one another. We were also fortunate that Sr Elizabeth Jane, Sr Stella and Sr Lizzie Ruth managed to join us during this space, which was very special to have that informal time with them.
Left: Oblates Revd Joyce Birkett (front), left to right Jennie Keyte, Revd Isobel Rathbone, Revd Emma D’Aeth, Anna Sketchley and Revd Rita Ball.