All Day - 4 June with David Rhodes and Nigel Greenwood
Our powerful Retreat on the Streets enables participants to spend time in the city with only 50p in their pockets, free from all the usual pre-occupations. David Rhodes said “Leeds is often described as a “24-hour city” – a great place to live, work, shop, study or relax ! Despite this vision of Leeds as a vibrant and dynamic city, it is also a place where people simply exist or endure the extremes of social exclusion. Alongside this high-tech image are found poverty and suffering, with many separated from its success”.
The only purpose of the retreat is to experience what is going on around you and observe the people and patterns in the city. It is not playing at being poor but offers a chance to glimpse what it is like to have few resources or choices. Throughout the day, the small, wooden cross given to each participant acts as a reminder of Christ's own concern for the poor. The day concludes with an opportunity for reflection and prayer.
The Retreat leaders are:
NIGEL GREENWOOD: Leeds born and bred, Nigel co-ordinates One City Projects. He has a long-standing passion for social justice and sees concern for those marginalised by society as part of the Gospel commandment to "love our neighbours". He is inspired by mountains and music (particularly Mahler) !
David Rhodes: has spent the last 15 years exploring issues of spirituality and social justice. While working for the ecumenical social justice project Faith in Leeds he started running "retreats on the streets" and other urban prayer events. He has written a number of bestselling books which focus on social justice and spirituality.
Anyone with a keen interest in social justice and extremes of social exclusion will find this a fascinating day.
The Cost for the experience is £3.00 plus train fare.
Please contact St Bede’s Pastoral Centre on York 464900 or email admin@stbedes.org.uk to book your place.
