Private Retreats for people in ministry at Sheldon in Devon
Private retreats - ministry
Sheldon gets the sometimes unglamorous realities of day to day ministry at the coal face. We understand the need to withdraw to pray, digest, reflect and re-connect with God, self and vocation. The environment on a private retreat is quietly understanding and supportive in the background. You have your own private space and you’re not responsible for anyone else’s needs. We understand that even social conversations can be draining when you’re exhausted or peopled out so we hold those boundaries for you.
In the background of Sheldon’s discreet individual care for clergy are our public-facing projects such as A&A (2002) and CDM (2020) raising awareness and campaigning for change. This helps create the unique charism of the place as somewhere supporting the welfare of people in ministry at all levels - body, mind and spirit.
The community prays for all our guests as part of our daily offices. You are invited to join us, and we also understand you may benefit from a break from liturgy and rest in the knowledge that others are praying for you. There are plenty of other places for your own prayers and meditation, especially when the well has been running dry - the medieval chapel of Christ the Servant, the shepherd’s sanctuary, the Octagon, the labyrinth, the chapel of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We have a gentle and low-key approach to spiritual welfare, trusting that our role is to provide the container in which you and God will have ample opportunity to reconnect.
If you would like to meet 1:1 with a member of the team and/or have a massage these are normally available. We do our best to respond to short notice requests but booking ahead helps us manage the Sheldon diary. We keep the terminology deliberately vague because people don't always know in advance what they might need from a "1:1 session". Your own spiritual and emotional welfare are deeply intertwined with the multi-layered role(s) you carry out in church and community. We don't mind whether the starting point is retreat accompaniment, health check, work issue, holding your story as precious or you've hit a major crisis or breakdown - we're here to walk with you and support you.
You have access to 45 acres of Sheldon grounds - gardens, fields and woodlands, plus plenty of local footpaths. The well-stocked library is available for you to borrow freely. It has a wide range of spirituality, devotional and personal development titles, plus plenty more besides. The Art Shed is always open for your creative play - another great resource for your personal and spiritual welfare. And you might want to book a relaxing massage to nurture body, mind and soul. Accommodation is suitable for single people or a couple.
You have your own little kitchen for preparing meals. You can either bring your own food which is self-catering, or we can fill up your fridge and store cupboard with a stocked larder.
We hold the space carefully for you to benefit from solitude and rest. The Rules of our House are designed to ensure that you and other guests all get a complete break from being 'on duty' in ministry - we understand that laying it down can be both difficult and needful. On a private retreat there is no opportunity to socialise with others.
Retreat booking details
Linhay Lodges - 5 nights minimum
Pig Pens and Hen Runs - 3 nights minimum
We do our best to provide the accommodation requested, but we're not a hotel and we operate on the basis of need. Sometimes you might get a 'free upgrade', occasionally we may need to provide smaller accommodation if a Lodge is needed for someone in emergency. We will always try and notify you in advance if this happens but sometimes changes are needed at the last minute to respond to a crisis situation.
Standard arrival between 3pm and 6pm. Standard departure is by 10am. We can sometimes be flexible on this - talk to us a few days before arrival.
