Hiding in plain sight
Led by Martyn Percy
In this retreat we go in search ("on safari") of lost words and language rarely encountered in the church today. How have the terms that used to describe ministry and vocation been driven away into the wilderness? We will also be hunting down some of the more invasive and troubling terminology hiding in plain sight, to which we have become far too accustomed. Together we will seek to rediscover and return to some of the ‘core-heart-soul’ language, values and ideas threaded through the gospels that describe authentic ministry, and can still nourish us. We are living through tough times when both church and society often give us language that is alienating and demoralizing. The exiled language we seek to recover may help us journey well through the cultural, social, political and religious change and challenges of our times, re-balancing our sense of calling and worth. Perhaps we may dare to dream once more of Church, as a kindly and caring institution, gathered around Christ.
This will be a silent retreat with a daily address in the morning and bible study in the afternoon. There will also be daily offices, one Eucharist and some slots available for 1:1 pastoral conversation with the leader.
Martyn Percy is the former Dean of Christ Church, Oxford (2014-22). From 2004-14 Martyn was the Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, one of the largest Anglican ordination training centres in the world. He has also undertaken a number of roles with charities and in public life, including being a Director of the Advertising Standards Authority and an Advisor to the British Board of Film Classification. Martyn writes on religion in contemporary culture and modern ecclesiology. He teaches for the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and tutors in the Social Sciences Division and at the Saïd Business School.
This event is open to everyone.
Arrival: 3 - 5pm
Mon 13th March
2023
Departure: 10am
Fri 17th March
2023
Residential - £530 (20% ministry discount)
