Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart – Contemplative Photography
Photo by Giulio Magnifico on Unsplash
Audrey Hamilton
13 April 2024, 10am – 3pm (re-scheduled from Oct 23)
Join us for time of not just looking but of truly seeing, and seeing with the eyes of the heart. We will use our cameras (a camera phone is fine) to ‘take a long, loving look at the real’ as one definition of contemplation puts it. It will be a time of going slowing, learning to pause and connect with what is around us, and gaze with compassion and tenderness on what we behold. In the process we will connect with ourselves, with one another and with God who speaks to us at the level of the heart.
We will also learn how to pray with our images in the practice of Visio Divina.
No particular photographic skill is required, just a heart open to God at work all around and within us.
Audrey Hamilton is a long standing friend of Cockfosters. She is an Ignatian and Carmelite trained spiritual director, currently working as director the Spiritual Direction Formation Programme at Boars Hill. She offers retreats, workshops and spiritual direction and is passionate about helping people connect with God in the busyness of daily life.
Growing towards wholeness
Jonathan Males
25 May 2024, 10.00 – 3.00 pm
We can experience life in many ways; as a journey, as a series of separate events, or even as a mystery. In this retreat we will use the metaphor of life as growth to reflect on the past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future with courage. The intention is to help you reconnect with God’s ever present love at all the times of your life.
Jonathan Males is a psychologist and spiritual director who works with people in many walks of life to help them thrive. His most recent book The Work Revolution is published by Spiramus Press (2024).
Seeing as God sees
A retreat with Josie von Zitzewitz and Deacon Ted Wood
22 June 2024, 10.00 – 3. 00 pm
The Bible tells us that God looked upon all the created world and saw that “it was good.” How can we begin to see as God sees and recognize the goodness of all things? This theme will be explored with reflection and different ways of prayer: silent mediation, with Scripture, and in nature.
Josie von Zitzewitz has been meditating for more than 20 years and regularly gives retreats. She is an oblate of the World Community for Christian Meditation.
Ted Wood is Deacon at Christ the King, Cockfosters and a member of the Chemin Neuf community..
This held moment
Helen Overell
9 July 2024, 7.00 – 9.00 pm (online)
‘This held moment’ is taken from Helen’s poem ‘Encounter’ which is published on the Contemplative Spirituality Website:
This workshop begins with a reading of poetry and provides a creative space in which words can be put on the page. There will be opportunities for sharing what is written. There will be an emphasis on constructive feedback together with encouragement and support so as to allow the beginnings of poems to emerge.
Helen Overell has published widely in magazines and anthologies, and takes an active role in the Mole Valley Poets, a Poetry Society stanza group. Her publications include her collections Inscapes & Horizons (St Albert’s Press, 2008) and Thumbprints(Oversteps Books, 2015) and a booklet Measures for lute (The Lute Society, 2020). Her website is: http://www.overell.co.uk
Zoom Meeting Details
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85775145527?pwd=S2JiajFyeWh3SCt6SXJXSytmL04vQT09
Meeting ID: 857 7514 5527
Passcode: 991721
To register please email cockfosterscs@rcdow.org.uk
Donations
We invite a donation to cover our speaker’s travel costs and the lunches and refreshments we provide. We offer a Concession for the unwaged and Parishioners of the Parish of Christ the King.
Evening £15 / Concession £10
Day £30 / Concession £20
Online attendance
Evening £10
You can pay on the day, or to make a one-off donation online please use this link https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/cockfosters/donate/
Cockfosters Centre for Spirituality 
I really enjoyed this mornings’ workshop ‘From crisis to opportunity’. It was very insightful and relevant. I was able to take away a toolkit for coping with the challenges brought about by the pandemic. There were some very useful and practical suggestions made by the facilitator. I really enjoyed the breakout session where we were able to share and explore issues at various stages in the workshop. Thank you Mary Jo, thank you, Jonathan and to the lovely group of people who were also participating in the workshop.