Weekend Retreat: Chris Chapman

Through the Door of Hope: Exploring the way of hope within challenging times

We live in a time when so much seems to be falling apart. Through the Door of Hope will explore the nature of hope, hope’s roots in the activity of God, and ways we can actively step into hope’s path. Hope is more than optimism or wishful thinking; it has its roots in a God who is always moving into how things are. The door of hope is always open and God steps through it with purpose and compassion. Through this same door we can step out in God into all that is broken apart.

 Over the weekend we will explore:

• What hope is, and how hope has its source in the creative and compassionate movement of God within our experience.

• How we can step into hope by cooperating with the Holy Spirit within our human spirit.

• How hope begins where we are and how we are - rather than where we feel we’d like to be or should be!

• How hope is more than a feeling: hope is also an action.

• How we can live and work in hope in a world that often seems broken.

 We will draw on insights from the Bible, the Christian spiritual tradition, artwork and poetry. Along with input, there will be generous quiet space to enjoy all that Kairos and its grounds have to offer.

Christopher Chapman is an experienced spiritual director and retreat leader. He is a member of the Archdiocese of Southwark’s Spirituality Commission and guest director at St. Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre. He is the author of Doorways to Hope, published by Canterbury Press. Other written works also include Seeing in the Dark, Earthed in God and Send My Roots Rain.