July 12th Saint Kevin Retreat At Glendalough, Ireland -The Cave, The Blackbird & The Monster

We will use presentation, music, stillness, discussion, walking to explore the compelling spirituality of this famous hermit including the profound image of Saint Kevin’s Cave, which offer us rich ground for considering contemplative silence and why our hearts often yearn for stillness.

The unforgettable story of Saint Kevin and the Blackbird will be presented through dramatic storytelling and we’ll explore questions such as:

How does this story show the relationship between prayer and creation and prayer and spiritual birth? Space for inner soul work will be offered; the startling symbol of the monster of the lough can be an aid to looking at our own shadow sides and how we can bring these gently to light as well as noticing the hidden treasures we may carry. The day will end with a slow motion walking meditation in the sacred place of Glendalough.

Cost 85 euros (includes vegetarian lunch).  For booking, please see website: Online Retreats - Results from #10 (christianretreats.live) or email Retreat Leader Donna Worthington: drworthington@live.co.uk   www.christianretreats.live

Glendalough Sanctuary also offers accommodation: Accommodation | Glendalough Sanctuary | Ireland

Facilitator: Donna Worthington

Donna is an experienced retreat giver and leads retreats in the UK and Ireland. Donna is trained in Ignatian spiritual direction and has accompanied many people during weeks of guided prayer and through one-to-one direction; she also offers The Spiritual Exercises. | Donna is trained in mindfulness and also grief counselling. | Trained as a labyrinth facilitator, she has led many labyrinth events for groups of all ages in various educational and faith contexts. She set up a labyrinth team that offers creative labyrinth walks to the public and has also offered labyrinth training to others; she has worked with schools, chaplains, churches and individuals wanting to explore this ministry.

Having studied Theology at Cambridge, Donna completed an MPhil at Manchester University, while developing a local theology in the context of working as a street theologian on a marginalised housing estate in Blackburn, Lancashire. | Donna is a trained teacher and has worked in secondary, further and higher education, including as Head of the Ethics, Philosophy, Religion Department in a secondary school, teaching Religious Studies up to GCSE and A Level. She has also been a teacher trainer in Primary RE.

Donna has MAs in Theatre Directing, Writing and TV Production (The Star-Gazer film was shown on Granada TV in 2000) and is trained in Storytelling. She has written several plays including Illumination (Durham Cathedral and touring) written in the light of the Lindisfarne Gospel Exhibition, Blackbirds At Dawn, created to raise awareness of human trafficking and wrote and performed a one-woman production of Desert Mother, developed to explore Christian contemplative prayer. Donna worked at the ecumenical Tabor retreat Centre in Lancashire. She has led creative workshops with all ages and on various themes, including exploring the Gospels through theatre and movement. She also explores dream-prayer and how to pray through dance.