The Association for Promoting Retreats (APR) was founded in 1913 to promote the development of the Christian life through retreats, particularly within the Anglican Communion.

Today the APR works in partnership with the Retreat Association. We are the largest of the RA’s founding member groups, serving alongside each other in strengthening the understanding and importance of retreats within our own Church traditions and to promote the value of retreats: for individuals, for the Church, and for society as a whole. Take a look around and discover how a retreat could be just what you are looking for.

A selection of members’ events is shown below – find more by clicking the Noticeboard heading.

Noticeboard

Labyrinth Retreat Day at the Wigwam Centre

What Matters Most? Pressing in to the Holy and Hidden Heart of Life – Wednesday 5 June

A labyrinth day retreat led by Brian Draper, writer, broadcaster and experienced retreat guide, at Bothy 5, Wigwam Retreat Centre, near Diss, Norfolk

In this spacious summer retreat – which includes an afternoon walking the Wigwam’s outdoor grass labyrinth – Brian will encourage us to pause, to activate our senses, to cultivate presence, to gain perspective, and to nurture the dynamic sense of communion with God, ourselves, and Creation, which lies at the heart of life.

Cost: £35 including light lunch and teas/coffees (concessions available for those on low incomes).

A flyer with further details and a booking form is available to download here, by email from pwtcfl@aol.com, or by post by telephoning 020-8491-0222.

‘Take off your Shoes’ Retreat

The APR autumn retreat, held at St. Columba’s House, Woking from 6-8 November, was a refreshing and prayerful event, attended by 16 people from across the UK. Lavishly illustrating his words with a range of colourful and engaging icons, Bishop John invited participants into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God.  He also drew inspiration from writers as diverse as St Augustine and the Desert Fathers, St Thérèse of Liseaux, C.S. Lewis and Jean Vanier.

The retreat was punctuated with meditative and prayerful services in the spacious chapel at St Columba’s, and both the food and accommodation at St Columba’s were excellent. Even the vibrant autumn colours of the trees in and around the grounds contributed to what was a really meaningful and profound experience.

A full review of the Retreat, Take off your Shoes - A Review, can be found by clicking here.

News from the AGM

The 2018 APR Annual General Meeting took place at St Columba’s House, Woking on Thursday 8th November. It followed the 48-hour APR Retreat, ‘Take off your shoes’, led by APR President, Rt Revd John Stroyan. Attended by 21 people, the day began with a joyful service of Holy Communion, celebrated by Bishop John, and an excellent lunch.

The meeting was very positive, with much enthusiasm for a range of future projects, and news of projects reaching completion, such as the first set of resource pages on this website. The 2018 AGM Minutes are now available to download.