Upcoming events at the House of the Open Door Community
The Community hosts many events throughout the year, using some of the facilities in our Retreat Centre; we list those coming up in a calendar below.
Our Tithe Barn is sometimes reserved for guest groups but is at other times is an ideal event space for meetings or conferences hosted by the community such as our Friday night Fellowship meetings, or those visiting for discipleship. Smaller meetings such as craft retreats take place in our Craft Studio.
If you are visiting for one of the events it may be possible for us to cater for you in our Dining Room; during your visit you are welcome to spend any spare time in our Retreat Centre Gardens.
To subscribe to this calendar click “Subscribe” bottom right and choose your calendar type e.g. Google Calendar
Our Third Friday night speaker for November is Andy Swinford. Andy will speak on the theme “Experiences from the Desert”
All welcome.
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Andy Swinford lives in Birmingham where until his recent retirement he taught at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls. He is an elder in his church, Pavilion Christian Community.
He has a particular interest in the writings of C S Lewis and has spoken about them at Hod before; he has also done presentations on the author’s work for churches in Birmingham.
He has contributed essays to the Zondervan book ‘The Christian Tradition in English Literature’ and has an MA in the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ.
Our Third Friday night speaker for November is Andy Swinford. Andy will speak on the theme “Experiences from the Desert”
All welcome.
_______________________
Andy Swinford lives in Birmingham where until his recent retirement he taught at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls. He is an elder in his church, Pavilion Christian Community.
He has a particular interest in the writings of C S Lewis and has spoken about them at Hod before; he has also done presentations on the author’s work for churches in Birmingham.
He has contributed essays to the Zondervan book ‘The Christian Tradition in English Literature’ and has an MA in the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ.
Our First Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for December – the speaker will be Brother Loarne Ferguson.
Brother Loarne will be speaking on the theme “We continued our Journey”
The Saturday morning following will be an Advent retreat day – Contact Us to book in to stay over night.
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome
See the Diary for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Br. Loarne was consecrated as a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order 24 years ago. He is now 48 years old and lives at Greyfriars in Oxford with five other religious brothers. For the last 12 years he has helped to form small groups dedicated to prayer and mission, while also holding the posts of university chaplain and retreat director. Currently he spends much of his time nursing one of the elderly brothers and looking after the Friary.
Key Christian interests: Divine change management for individuals and communities, prophetic ministry, and contemplative life.
Key human interests: creativity & culture, arts & crafts, relationships, food & books.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Stop awhile in whichever season you find yourself to spend time with God, to be encouraged, refreshed, and strengthened to continue on your journey with Him. 
The day will be from 10am – 4pm, and the suggested contribution is £25 per person, which will include refreshments and lunch.
For booking details please contact Lynda by email or phone – see Contact Us
For other “Seasons” Quiet Days this year, see Seasons – Quiet Days
Revd David Cook, previously vicar of Chipping Campden, will be speaking at our Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for February.
David will speak on the theme “Discipleship – the Road to Maturity”
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome
See the Diary for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Having spent almost the first four years of his life in a Prisoner of War camp in Japan, David was brought up in the Far East and the U.K.
After reading History and Theology at Oxford, he ministered in a housing estate in Chatham, followed by 18 years in South Africa, both in youth work and then in a large multiracial parish in Cape Town. Returning to England, he was Team Rector at Newbury and then Vicar of Chipping Camden.
David now lives with his wife in Bourton-on-the-Water. The have four adult children and two grandchildren.
There will be no Friday Night Fellowship Meeting on Friday 23rd February. Community members are attending a local intercession event.
On three Friday nights in March John Trimming from community will lead three reflections on The Gift of Grace…
+ Friday 9th March: Grace, Freely Given
+ Friday 16th March: Receiving Grace
+ Friday 23rd March: Grace Flowing Out
We will be reflecting on Luke chapters 1 and 2, reflecting on the story and the characters which show the motion of God’s grace towards us. Grace is brought near (“the Lord is with you”); is received by Mary; and flows out through her visit to Elizabeth.
We will also look at the other characters in these chapters, and onwards into the beginning of the Lord’s ministry – when the kingdom is announced as “near (“The kingdom of God has come near” Mark 1 v 15). So the flow of grace to which Mary said “yes” flows out through Jesus.
Mary the mother of the Lord has a unique place as a figure in the Bible, and in the story of Jesus. “Favoured” by God, her response is immediate, courageous and trusting; she has been called the “first disciple”.
Reflecting together on these chapters will be an opportunity to be reminded that grace is the beginning, and the basis, of everything in the Christian life. God’s grace is sufficient: we are all called to be “full of grace”, to surrender, receive, trust in, and flow with the river of grace God wants to send into our lives.
On three Friday nights in March John Trimming from community will lead three reflections on The Gift of Grace…
+ Friday 9th March: Grace, Freely Given
+ Friday 16th March: Receiving Grace
+ Friday 23rd March: Grace Flowing Out
We will be reflecting on Luke chapters 1 and 2, reflecting on the story and the characters which show the motion of God’s grace towards us. Grace is brought near (“the Lord is with you”); is received by Mary; and flows out through her visit to Elizabeth.
We will also look at the other characters in these chapters, and onwards into the beginning of the Lord’s ministry – when the kingdom is announced as “near (“The kingdom of God has come near” Mark 1 v 15). So the flow of grace to which Mary said “yes” flows out through Jesus.
Mary the mother of the Lord has a unique place as a figure in the Bible, and in the story of Jesus. “Favoured” by God, her response is immediate, courageous and trusting; she has been called the “first disciple”.
Reflecting together on these chapters will be an opportunity to be reminded that grace is the beginning, and the basis, of everything in the Christian life. God’s grace is sufficient: we are all called to be “full of grace”, to surrender, receive, trust in, and flow with the river of grace God wants to send into our lives.
On three Friday nights in March John Trimming from community will lead three reflections on The Gift of Grace…
+ Friday 9th March: Grace, Freely Given
+ Friday 16th March: Receiving Grace
+ Friday 23rd March: Grace Flowing Out
We will be reflecting on Luke chapters 1 and 2, reflecting on the story and the characters which show the motion of God’s grace towards us. Grace is brought near (“the Lord is with you”); is received by Mary; and flows out through her visit to Elizabeth.
We will also look at the other characters in these chapters, and onwards into the beginning of the Lord’s ministry – when the kingdom is announced as “near (“The kingdom of God has come near” Mark 1 v 15). So the flow of grace to which Mary said “yes” flows out through Jesus.
Mary the mother of the Lord has a unique place as a figure in the Bible, and in the story of Jesus. “Favoured” by God, her response is immediate, courageous and trusting; she has been called the “first disciple”.
Reflecting together on these chapters will be an opportunity to be reminded that grace is the beginning, and the basis, of everything in the Christian life. God’s grace is sufficient: we are all called to be “full of grace”, to surrender, receive, trust in, and flow with the river of grace God wants to send into our lives.
We have had to cancel our First Friday Fellowship Meeting for April.
We hope to invite our planned speaker Ian McDonald at a later date.
See the Calendar of Events for future events
The speaker for our First Friday Fellowship Meeting for May is Jane Holloway.
Jane will speak on the theme “God on the Move – partnering with Him in prayer”
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Jane Holloway has been working to equip and encourage prayer across many denominations, organisations and churches for the past twenty five years.
For the last 12 years she has been the National Prayer Director at the World Prayer Centre (Birmingham, UK) enabling her to travel and connect widely across the British Isles regarding prayer and mission.
She lives in West Oxfordshire, goes to a local Anglican church and loves to enjoy God’s creation, walking, gardening, playing tennis and hanging out with friends – when she is not working!
We regret this event has been cancelled. Please contact us with any queries.
The Road to Freedom – Making the Word your Home
Jesus said “If you make the Word of God your home, you will come to know the truth – and the truth will set you free”.
Approaches to reflecting and meditating on the scriptures throughout the year, individually and in groups.
The sessions will be led by Tom Gorman, Ph D.
Saturday May 26 – Preparing for Pentecost.
For other “The Road to Freedom” sessions this year, see The Road to Freedom
From 10am – 4pm
Suggested contribution is £25 per person, which will include refreshments and lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us
Andrew Pearkes will be speaking at our Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for June.
Andrew will speak on the theme “Marantha – the healing Love of Jesus”
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome
See the Diary for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Andrew Pearkes is the founder and leader of Maranatha Ministries. Andrew regularly ministers in churches and conferences in the UK.
He also ministers in over 22 countries in America, Africa, Europe, the middle east and the Arctic. He has seen God heal, save and deliver many thousands of people over the last 35 years.
He has seen God do many extraordinary miracles, and has a heart to take God’s power to the nations, moving in a strong prophetic anointing and been used by God in churches across the nation and Europe.
Andrew has a vision to train and equip the body of Christ to carry out the ministry of Jesus.
Andrew is a member of the International Association of Healing Ministries – http://healing-ministries.org/en/
At our Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for July, we welcome two leaders of Christian communities to share with us: John Proctor and Dominic McDermott.
Both come from communities which are part of the European Network of Communities (ENC) which HOD became part of last year. Both are visiting our community this weekend in July and will share the First Friday night talk.
They will share about what the Lord is doing in their communities here in the UK, and also about the ENC and what God is doing through this network of communities across Europe.
For more information about the speakers, please see below.
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome
See the Diary for Friday night speakers on other dates
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John Proctor was born in 1953 in Liverpool, England, married in 1976 to Alicia with 4 sons and has 4 grandchildren in Ireland. He had a career in Financial Services as National & International Sales manager until age 50.
After becoming involved in Charismatic renewal in mid 70’s, he founded the Alabaré Christian Covenant Community in 1984 which became a Lay Association of the Faithful in Canon Law in 2000.
Now living in Salisbury in SW England, John established Alabaré Christian Care & Support supporting homeless and vulnerable adults. They support around 2500 clients a year at a cost of £8million.
Upon leaving Financial Services in 2003 John and his wife established a nursery school and now has 7 schools. He also ran a guest house for the Community which has now developed into a young persons missional Community which he supports.
John was ordained a Permanent Deacon some 29 years ago, being the youngest in the UK at that time.
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Dominic McDermott, 56, lives in the UK and is a married Catholic member of two communities, one of which is a small Celtic community that he leads.
For the last fifteen years he was involved in a full-time prison ministry & before that was an ecumenical youth-worker.
He is a member of the national team and a key-intercessor for TJCII (Towards Jerusalem Council Two), an international ministry working to unite the gentile and Jewish parts of the Body of Christ.
He has been part of the ENC (European Network of Communities) Council for many years, responsible for the intercession and prophetic input and is part of their ACTs (Assisting Coaching Training seminars) team.
He lives a prophetic lifestyle and loves to teach on hearing from God. He is also an interpreter of dreams, a landscape gardener, a carpenter/locksmith with an M.Sc. in A.I. who makes swords and loves to sing!
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Stop awhile in whichever season you find yourself to spend time with God, to be encouraged, refreshed, and strengthened to continue on your journey with Him. 
The day will be from 10am – 4pm, and the suggested contribution is £25 per person, which will include refreshments and lunch.
For booking details please contact Lynda by email or phone – see Contact Us
For other “Seasons” Quiet Days this year, see Seasons – Quiet Days
Teryl Bryant will lead us in a special Friday night on 20th July
Teryl is a well known Percussionist and Speaker – see www.voiceofdrums.com for his inspiring stories and clips.
The evening will be hosted in St Mary’s Church in Childswickham
Download a poster to share this event with friends
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It has been said “speaking your truth is the most powerful tool you have”.
I left school at 16 to pursue a rock ’n’ roll dream as a drummer. In my early 20’s I had a transforming faith experience and became a follower of Jesus.
Adventures in music brought the privilege of playing with many wonderful and well known artists and on the way stories emerged; stories of faith, hope and a love that is there for all.
I look forward to sharing these with you – Terl Bryant
There will be no Friday Night Fellowship Meeting on Friday 7th September
Join us for our next first Friday in October
CANCELLED…
Apologies that our Friday night speaker has had to cancel due to poor health. David’s visit is postponed.
Our speaker for Friday TBC.
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David White will be speaking at our Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for October.
David is a regular visitor to community’s guest house and a long standing friend.
The evening starts at 8pm with Praise and worship, followed by David speaking on the theme “What Jesus is doing in your life“.
Join us as we seek the Lord together – All welcome.
No need to book. The evening ends at 10pm with refreshments.
See the Diary for Friday night speakers on other dates
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David has had over 35 years as a church leader in many different parishes, from the inner city to rural to coastal to suburbia.
Throughout this time he has known the joys and sorrows of pastoral ministry, its costs and delights.
He now devotes himself to preaching God’s Word, and encouraging a deeper walk in the Spirit.
Living in Cornwall, he is married to Ruth, has three sons, two daughters in law, and four grandchildren.
Richard Harvey’s visit to HOD in March was cancelled due to poor weather, but we are very pleased to announce that it has been rescheduled for this November…
The speaker for our First Friday Fellowship Meeting for November will be Rabbi Richard Harvey, speaking on the theme “Jews for Jesus“.
Richard is a UK based-Jewish believer in Jesus (Yeshua) who has served with the Church’s Ministry among the Jewish people (CMJ) and as UK Director of Jews for Jesus. He became a believer in Jesus in 1974 from a Liberal Jewish background. His and his wife’s story are told in “But I’m Jewish!”
In 1997 he joined the staff of All Nations Christian College, and left there in 2011 to become Senior Researcher with Jews for Jesus. His work involves writing and researching Messianic Jewish Theology, and also teaching, training and mentoring in the UK, Israel and worldwide. In 2013 he presented a paper at the World Congress of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem on the subject of Messianic Jews, and gave a Bible reading at the Lausanne Global Leaders Forum, Bangalore, India. He is presently working on books on Martin Luther and the Jews, a systematic theology of Messianic Judaism, and an introduction to Supersessionism. His blog “On this day in Messianic Jewish history” traces the experiences of Jewish believers in Jesus from the days of the early church up to the present.
More information may be found on Richard’s website www.mmjt.eu
Please come and join us for a very interesting and informative evening. No need to book – just turn up! The evening concludes at 10pm with refreshments.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Richard is a UK based-Jewish believer in Jesus (Yeshua) who has served with the Church’s Ministry among the Jewish people (CMJ) and as UK Director of Jews for Jesus. He became a believer in Jesus in 1974 from a Liberal Jewish background. His and his wife’s story are told in “But I’m Jewish!”
He taught Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at All Nations Christian College, UK, and was Academic Dean and Director of Postgraduate Studies. He is a past President of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA). His PhD was supervised by Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok and is published as Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology: A Constructive Approach (2009). He is now Senior Researcher with Jews for Jesus, and spends his time writing, teaching, training, mentoring and drinking coffee in UK, Israel and around the world. His most recent book “Luther and the Jews: Putting Right the Lies” (Wipf and Stock, 2017) is a timely contribution to the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
He is married to Monica, who is also a Jewish believer in Jesus, and has two children and three grandchildren. His website www.mmjt.eu and academia.edu page has many of his articles, presentations, power-points, etc.
We welcome men to join us for a men’s breakfast followed by praise and worship, praying for each other and intercession as the Lord leads us.
This morning’s praise and prayer time will include a testimony from Rabbi Richard Harvey, who will be our speaker at the previous Friday night. For more details about the Friday night, please see November First Friday – Rabbi Richard Harvey
For more see Men’s Days
Marianna Gol
The speaker for our First Friday Fellowship Meeting for December will be Marianna Gol. Marianna’s theme will be “the Mystery of God“.
Marianna is a Messianic Jew who leads a ministry “Streams in the Desert” serving widows and orphans. It is her first visit to community as a speaker.
Please come and join us as we seek the Lord together. The evening concludes at 10pm with refreshments.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates.
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Marianna Gol grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia where she became a believer in Yeshua in 1991. She made Aliyah (immigrated) to Israel in 1997.
Today Marianna lives and ministers in the Negev region of Israel near Beer Sheva. She is founding Director of “Streams in the Desert” and leads an enthusiastic ministry team which focuses on serving poor and disadvantaged families, as well as Messianic children and youth in the South of Israel.
Marianna has a deep burden for unity in the Body of Messiah and for the Bride’s preparation for Yeshua’s return. She is a prophetic leader gifted in stirring others into their own gifting and callings.
Marianna travels and teaches internationally bringing a unique perspective on Oneness in the Coming Kingdom. (2018)
There will be no Friday Night Fellowship Meeting on Friday 4 January
Join us for a special Second Friday meeting on 11 January.
Our Men’s breakfast for Sat 5 Jan has been cancelled – please join us in February instead.
We welcome men to join us for a men’s breakfast followed by praise and worship, praying for each other and intercession as the Lord leads us.
For more see Men’s Days
We welcome men to join us for a men’s breakfast followed by praise and worship, praying for each other and intercession as the Lord leads us.
For more see Men’s Days
Who shall go up to the Mountain of the Lord?
Who shall take a stand in his Holy Place? (Psalm 24 v 3)For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle (Ephesians 6 v 12)
The theme of this Men’s Day (and for 2 others this year) is “Holding the High Ground”
Testimonies by committed men about their experience of “battling … with a single aim, for the purposes of the Gospel” (Phillippians 1 v 27):
Speakers: Simon Cooper, Ralph Deakin and Simon Matthews
We welcome men to a Men’s day beginning with tea/coffee at 10. Lunch is included (contributions toward the cost are invited if you can manage). The day will finish with drinks around 4pm.
“Come to me…and I will give you rest”
(Matthew 11 v 28)
A day to be still in the presence of God with scripture based reflections and prayer, led by Margaret Wade.
The day will be from 10am – 4pm, and the suggested contribution is £25 per person, which will include refreshments and lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us
For other “Seasons” Quiet Days this year, see Stillness – Quiet Days
Weekend with Richard Harvey
Join us for a weekend of teaching, prayer and reflection on the theme “Jewish Feasts and their Significance“.
Richard has spoken in community previously at a Friday Night Fellowship Meeting and a Men’s Day.
The programme for the weekend is here: RichardHarveyProgramme. Please also see this flyer if you would like to help advertise the weekend: RichardHarvey 29-31Mar19.pdf Friday night flyer.
There is no need to book for the Friday night (just come along) but if you would like to book in for Saturday, or the whole weekend, the contributions are as follows:
- For the weekend (from Friday evening meal till Sunday after lunch) – £120 per person
- For Saturday only – £25 for the day
To book, please download, print, complete, and send us our booking form – downloadable here either as pdf or Word. Or please Contact Us with any questions.
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Richard Harvey is a UK based-Jewish believer in Jesus (Yeshua) who has served with the Church’s Ministry among the Jewish people (CMJ) and as UK Director of Jews for Jesus. He became a believer in Jesus in 1974 from a Liberal Jewish background. His and his wife’s story are told in “But I’m Jewish!”
In 1997 he joined the staff of All Nations Christian College, and left there in 2011 to become Senior Researcher with Jews for Jesus. His work involves writing and researching Messianic Jewish Theology, and also teaching, training and mentoring in the UK, Israel and worldwide. In 2013 he presented a paper at the World Congress of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem on the subject of Messianic Jews, and gave a Bible reading at the Lausanne Global Leaders Forum, Bangalore, India. He is presently working on books on Martin Luther and the Jews, a systematic theology of Messianic Judaism, and an introduction to Supersessionism. His blog “On this day in Messianic Jewish history” traces the experiences of Jewish believers in Jesus from the days of the early church up to the present.
More information may be found on Richard’s website www.mmjt.eu
We welcome men to join us for a men’s breakfast followed by praise and worship, praying for each other and intercession as the Lord leads us.
For more see Men’s Days
We have a special Fellowship Meeting for April on the Second Friday, 12 April 2019. (There is no First Friday meeting the week before.)
We welcome guest speaker Dr Iman Riad.
Please come and join us as we seek the Lord together. The evening concludes at 10pm with refreshments.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates this year.
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Dr Iman Riad is a consultant gynaecologist in London. She was born in Cairo, Egypt in a Christian family with an orthodox background.
Her journey with the Lord started from the age of 12 years, even earlier. Since then, the Lord took her through a journey of special discipleship with ecumenical exposure and ministry where both, Eastern and Western Christianity, were being closely knitted together within her.
The journey went through: Orthodox upbringing in family and church services, Evangelical Sunday school, Catholic education, YWAM DTS, a large ecumenical ministry in Egypt, then ultimately being led into the discovery of the wells of the rich inheritance of the Early Church of the first 4 centuries when the church was one and before any of its divisions.
Iman came to the UK in 1993, for specialising as a gynaecologist, but God had other plans! God opened doors to share the Early Church teaching and life to western groups and churches, both in UK, Europe and elsewhere.
However since 2007, there was a deep desire and concern regarding digging the special wells of the U.K.’s spiritual inheritance. Along with prayers, a research was carried out. This included researching available material, visiting the spiritual landmarks of this land together with compiling a presentation covering the timeline and the spiritual genetic constitution “DNA” of the U.K.’s spiritual inheritance and how it could be restored at our present time.
Iman is single and is part of a wider community of married couples and singles. She has a heart for the Early Church inheritance , community life, and supporting those who wish to remain Single for Christ. She continues the journey that God has led her in, sharing the teaching, providing mentoring and leading small groups and discipleship schools.
