On 25th February I attended the Quiet Day at Thackley organized by Rev Christine Crabtree. It was a lovely experience. I gave a lift to Rev Naeem Javaid, a Methodist minister visiting from Pakistan who is working with Barbara Glasson and the team at Touchstone. His church in Pakistan has four hundred members and a junior church of over one hundred.
The day began with a variety of quiet activities. One of them, Impressions of Christ, was to look at eight different images of Jesus as represented by artists from around the world. They gave much food for thought. At another activity I made a “prayer bracelet” for the 23rd Psalm, complete with coloured beads for each verse and a small silver sheep. There were also texts from the Bible to illustrate and colour, as well as a “Welsh” themed table, as it was St David’ s day on 1st March and Christine is Welsh. There were also pictures of dragons. We had previously decided that there were good and not so good dragons and that these were experiences we could encounter in life. There was an opportunity to write about those feelings on the “dragon” if we wished to.
In the large hall the floor was laid out with a large labyrinth with a small table at the centre. Walking along the twisting route to the centre gives time to contemplate, to stop and think things through. You can go as fast or as slow as you wish. One way suggested is that if you have a specific concern or worry you take a small stone or pebble with you and that you leave it at the centre or alternatively carry it back out with you feeling it getting lighter as you go.
During the day we had a break for lunch which gave an opportunity to talk with other people from the circuit. One of the discussions at our table was the homeless situation in Bradford and how it was being helped in various ways by a variety of organizations and churches.
At the end of the day we came together to share our experiences and hear God’ s words for us in a song “I searched for you” by Martyn Joseph. It was a really special day. Thank you to Christine and the helpers. Next time there is a Quiet Day, why not come along?
Viv P
St Andrew's
The day began with a variety of quiet activities. One of them, Impressions of Christ, was to look at eight different images of Jesus as represented by artists from around the world. They gave much food for thought. At another activity I made a “prayer bracelet” for the 23rd Psalm, complete with coloured beads for each verse and a small silver sheep. There were also texts from the Bible to illustrate and colour, as well as a “Welsh” themed table, as it was St David’ s day on 1st March and Christine is Welsh. There were also pictures of dragons. We had previously decided that there were good and not so good dragons and that these were experiences we could encounter in life. There was an opportunity to write about those feelings on the “dragon” if we wished to.
In the large hall the floor was laid out with a large labyrinth with a small table at the centre. Walking along the twisting route to the centre gives time to contemplate, to stop and think things through. You can go as fast or as slow as you wish. One way suggested is that if you have a specific concern or worry you take a small stone or pebble with you and that you leave it at the centre or alternatively carry it back out with you feeling it getting lighter as you go.
During the day we had a break for lunch which gave an opportunity to talk with other people from the circuit. One of the discussions at our table was the homeless situation in Bradford and how it was being helped in various ways by a variety of organizations and churches.
At the end of the day we came together to share our experiences and hear God’ s words for us in a song “I searched for you” by Martyn Joseph. It was a really special day. Thank you to Christine and the helpers. Next time there is a Quiet Day, why not come along?
Viv P
St Andrew's
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