Online meditation with the School of Contemplative Life
2026-05-16 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-05-23 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-05-30 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-06-06 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-06-13 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-06-20 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-06-27 07:30 - 08:30, 2026-07-04 07:30 - 08:30 UTC and 13 more dates
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer.
Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world.
Each session includes a short talk, a period of silent meditation practice (preceded by some basic guidelines for anyone who is new), and an opportunity for conversation afterwards.
The sessions are guided by Chris Whittington. Chris spent a period of formation at Prinknash Abbey Benedictine Monastery and is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life.
You don’t need to bring anything – just yourself. Try to find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.

Online Oasis Day
2026-06-09 09:30 - 14:00
9 June – ‘Seeing the Faith: encountering scripture through images’
led by Revd Graham Sparkes
Day runs from 10.45am to 3 pm
Email janefranklinretreats@gmail.com for a Zoom link to this event.

Online Quiet Day with Christian Retreats
2026-06-17 09:00 - 12:00
(ONLINE) STILLING OF THE STORM | Wednesday 17th June 10am – 1pm
Christians mature in their journeys of faith sometimes speak of the deeply attractive ability to hold a deeper peace, even when going through difficult, anxiety-inducing situations fraught with negative emotions. Mark’s account of The Stilling of the Storm has many strategies that can help us negotiate troubled waters and seek for that deeper peace of Christ. We will dive deep into the text and are help-mates along the way will be a modern psychology strategy, desert and letting go prayer, Golding’s Lord of The Flies and meditation on Christ the unperturbed one, who helps us move towards freedom, calm and deeper self-awareness.

Online quiet day with the School of Contemplative Life
2026-06-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Ripon College Cuddeston, Cuddeston, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX44 9EX, United Kingdom
The God of Unchanging Love: Who Never Changes His Mind About Us

Sat 27th June, 10am – 1pm, online workshop

Discover the liberating Christian vision of God as unchanging Love, and how prayer transforms us—not God—in this half-day contemplative gathering. A small group discussion evening will be available to participants by way of follow-up.

APR Online quiet day for Carers
2026-07-09 09:00 - 14:00
Join APR’s first (free) Online Quiet Day, which will run from 10.15am – 3.30pm on Thursday 9 July, and will be led by Revd Alison Christian. Although it is primarily designed for Carers (of which Alison has recently become one), the event is open to everyone and promises to offer refreshment for us all.
Alison writes, ‘Whether we have become a Carer unexpectedly after a loved one has a sudden life-changing illness or accident, or whether the situation has developed more slowly, new Carers have to learn to adapt to a new (and evolving) landscape, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, often without the resources that have supported them before, such as going on retreat.
During the day we will ask, ‘What difference is this experience of being a Carer making to my relationship with God – and with myself?’ Realising that we are all in different situations, with different demands being made on us, we understand that you may need to dip in and out of the day; the prayer and meditation ideas will be available on our website after the day for you to come back to.
Book your place now on https://promotingretreats.org/news-events-blog/

Online Oasis Day
2026-07-14 09:30 - 14:00
14 July – ‘He makes me … A fresh look at Psalm 23’
led by Rachel Hextall
Day runs from 10.45am to 3 pm
Email janefranklinretreats@gmail.com for a Zoom link to this event.

Online Oasis Day
2026-08-11 09:30 - 14:00
11 August – ‘St Clare of Assisi’
led by Demelza Henderson
Day runs from 10.45am to 3 pm
Email janefranklinretreats@gmail.com for a Zoom link to this event.

Online Quiet Day with the School of Contemplative Life
2026-08-15 09:00 - 15:30
The Way of the Desert Mothers & Fathers:
A Journey into Peace and Compassion
Sat 15 Aug from 10 – 5 | £30 | Online
Enter the stillness of the desert tradition. This online day retreat offers ancient Christian wisdom for those seeking peace, clarity, and a more compassionate way of being.
Talks from the workshop will be recorded and shared with participants afterwards. A small group discussion evening will also be available by way of follow-up.

Online Oasis Day
2026-09-08 09:30 - 14:00
8 September – ‘Mary Mother of God, Mother of the Poor?’
led by Helen Stanton
Day runs from 10.45am to 3 pm
Email janefranklinretreats@gmail.com for a Zoom link to this event.

Buddhist-Christian retreat with the School of Contemplative Life
2026-09-10 09:00 - 2026-09-13 12:00 | Plum Village, Abenhall Manor, Church Farm, Church Lane, Abenhall, Mitchelldean, Gloucestershire, GL17 0DX, United Kingdom
Towards a Global Spirituality: Buddhist-Christian Wisdom for Inner Peace in a Troubled World

Thu 10 – Sun 13 Sept, Being Peace Centre (Plum Village UK), Forest of Dean

In a world marked by fragmentation and uncertainty, this retreat brings together two spiritual voices in friendship and depth. Guided by Plum Village teacher Sr. Annabel Laity (Sr. Chan Duc) and Christian teacher, Chris Whittington, participants are invited into a living dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity.
