Opening the Eyes of the Heart

We will re-visit the photography angle for a future retreat but it won’t be until May 2021 at the earliest.

This will be a retreat with a difference. As well as times for worship, meditation, quiet and enjoying each other’s company, you will also be invited to take some photos. You won't need any prior experience or expertise - just some enthusiasm to explore how photography might deepen your spirituality (and vice versa!). Please bring a camera with you - anything from a smart phone to a high-end camera.

Millions of photos are taken every day across the world. Some are just snapshots. Others are more carefully crafted and can deepen our vision and sharpen our sense of what life is all about. We will be exploring how our photography and our spirituality can inspire each other. The retreat will help us explore how photography can offer us unique perspectives on ourselves, our world and our faith - focusing on some particular aspects of photography and giving plenty of hands-on experience with your camera in our wonderful surroundings.

The programme will cover such topics as:

• Letting photos tell our story
• Worshipping with photos
• Framing our gaze
• ‘Selfies’ - curse or blessing?
• Photography and wellbeing

We will be demonstrating an innovative way of appreciating, in small groups, the photos you take.

The retreat will be led by Philip Richter, a recently-retired Methodist minister, who has worked in circuit ministry, HE chaplaincy, ministerial training, and the Ministry Development team at Church House. He is a keen amateur photographer and writer. His most recent book is: Spirituality in Photography: taking pictures with deeper vision (Darton Longman & Todd, 2017).

This is a Yorkshire Plus Regional Retreat for Prebsyters, Deacons and Lay Employees. Priority will therefore go to those working in the Sheffield, Yorkshire West and Yorkshire North & East Districts.

Retreat Cost: £200 - an invoice will be sent out, places are fully confirmed once payment has been made.

If you are part of the Sheffield; Yorkshire West or Yorkshire North & East Districts you will be invoiced for half of this, with your District paying the other half. You may also wish to seek support from your Circuit or local church.