Reflections on retirement
Led by Clare Herbert
In 1820 the artist Hokusai, now 60 years old, took the title Iitsu, which means “One year old again”. According to the Japanese calendar sixty represents the completion of a whole life cycle. Yet Hokusai went on to create some of his finest work after that date, in his “second life”.
In my sixties I retired and fell flat on my face, not having reflected on a new structure or content for my life, let alone on the promptings of God, speaking compassionately, if urgently, to me of new creation.
If retirement is still a distant dream, or looms a near but uncertain reality, or represents a time of rich contentment, or is for you still a bog or a fog such as that into which I fell, this retreat offers you a time for reflection, relaxation, and enrichment in your understanding of your own needs and God’s presence with you on the journey.
To deepen our reflection on the serious challenges and fruitful possibilities of retirement we will use a pattern for this retreat/workshop week of
- leader input
- discussion among participants, who may have rich insights to share
- rest
- partly (but not totally) in silence for deeper reflection
- worship
There will also be some slots available for 1:1 time with the leader.
Clare Herbert was, before retirement, the Rector of Anne’s Soho, Lecturer in Inclusion at St Martin in the Fields, and Tutor in Pastoral Care at St Augustine’s College of Theology, where she is now a Research Fellow. She recently published her first book “Towards a Theology of Same Sex Marriage: Squaring the Circle” (JKP, London 2020), and retired to live in the Diocese of Portsmouth. She serves as a spiritual director and priest, but also worships with her partner at the local Quaker meeting.
This event is open to everyone.
Arrival: 3 - 5pm
Mon 10th March
2025
Departure: 10am
Fri 14th March
2025
Residential - £550 (20% ministry discount)
