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
Iris Riemersma is the speaker for our First Friday Fellowship Meeting for April 2022, leading us on the theme “The Joshua Generation and the Great Commission“.
Iris is an intern at Water from the Rock, a ministry based locally to HOD. Having met Iris recently, we invited her to speak as we felt she was inspiring about sharing the Gospel, particularly with younger Christians. From Iris’ profile (see below): “I hope to work towards bridging the gap between the older generations that have gone before us in faith, and the new generation of Christians that is rising up.”
Join us if you can – in the The Tithe Barn at HOD for worship, the talk, prayer and fellowship.
Details TBC nearer the time: There may be a live stream on YouTube, but if not, we hope to share a recording of the talk afterwards on our YouTube channel.
See our Calendar of Events for a number of other Friday night speakers planned for other dates in 2022.
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Iris Writes:
My name is Iris Riemersma, I’m 23 years old and from the Netherlands.
I have had the privilege to grow up in a Christian family with parents who love the Lord, and because of that I never doubted His existence. However, I only started my personal walk with the Lord in my late teenage years.
From a very young age I was very aware of, and broken for, the brokenness of this world, especially when it comes to orphans and the Fatherless. When I was 17 years old, I joined Youth with a Mission (YWAM) where I did a discipleship training school and a Children at Risk school, later staffing on both.
For the last six months I have been with a ministry called “Water from the Rock”, in England.
I hope to work towards bridging the gap between the older generations that have gone before us in faith, and the new generation of Christians that is rising up.
Friday 13th May – Sunday 15th May 2022
The House of the Open Door community offers a retreat on the theme “Narnia, Middle-earth and God’s Creation”
The retreat leader will be our longstanding friend Andy Swinford.
Andy writes:
On this retreat we shall explore God’s wonderful creation, drawing inspiration from the Bible and from the stories of C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien (no prior knowledge needed!).
It will be a time for drawing close to God, and receiving his grace-filled refreshment and rest, with plenty of opportunity for encountering God anew, both indoors and outside in the beautiful gardens and countryside surrounding The House of the Open Door. There will be time to listen and pray, and just to Be as we are refreshed by his Spirit and delight in God, enjoying his presence.
Suggested donation £150
Although Covid-19 restrictions are lifting at the moment in the UK, events at HOD are subject to current restrictions. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your safety for more.
__________________
Andy Swinford
Andy has frequently given multimedia presentations and lead retreats on C S Lewis. He has also written scripts for tours of places in Britain connected to Tolkien for Authatrails. He gave a presentation for the Three Shires Festival last year on links between these two authors and their love of the natural world.
Now retired, he taught English in secondary school for 25 years in Birmingham. Walking in the countryside and beekeeping are among his chief pleasures. He is currently writing a book on Joy in the fiction of C S Lewis.
He is a longstanding friend of The House of the Open Door, and has spoken before at our Friday Night Fellowship Meetings
Escape to the Cotswolds and explore your Creativity on Retreat with us….
From 1st-3rd July we will be holding our Six Senses Creativity Retreat.
The vision for this event grew over a long time. And now it’s sprouting!
What…?
The weekend retreat is for anyone who wants to discover something new about their creative perception. You don’t need to call yourself a Christian to come!
- Explore their creativity through nature and experimental Art techniques.
- Led by an experienced and friendly team
- Creative Workshops available:
- Power Drumming
- Physical Poetry
- Paper Making
- Acrylic Flow Painting
- … and more
- Suitable for all levels of ability.
- All materials provided.
In between times you are welcome to relax in our Retreat Centre Gardens. Refreshments will be provided.
When…?
We suggest you book in to stay with us from Friday and Sunday so that you can take part in all of the activities on offer.
Stay the weekend to take part…?
Please Contact Us to book in to stay in our Retreat Centre.
Recommended donation for your stay: £150 (full board).
The retreat is supported by the community’s registered Christian charity.
Questions…?
Please contact us with any queries, for instance if you would like to come for only part of the time or prefer to stay in the local area.
Join us!
Come, and be refreshed. Come and just BE, be yourself.
Come, especially if you have never been before! ?
Click for our Six Senses Retreat poster PDF to share with others.
Photo below: Ibi and Silvie, two members of the Creativity Retreat team look forward to meeting you!
The Gateway Youth Summer Conference at HOD takes place from 18th July to 31st July 2022, as part of the wider Discipleship Course running from 21st March – 31st August.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new ways…
For more see Gateway Youth Summer Conference 2022
Daniella Stephens will be speaking at HOD as part of HOD’s Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2022.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new ways…
Daniella is an inspirational speaker with a passion for the Gospel and prayer ministry. We look forward to welcoming her speaking to us all and encouraging all of us, especially those at HOD for Gateway or the wider Discipleship Course 2022.
Join us in The Tithe Barn at HOD for live worship and the talk.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates
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Daniella is from Manchester and in full-time ministry as a Catholic Speaker. She is passionately committed to the urgent task of proclaiming and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Daniella has always been a practising Catholic but after a deeper encounter with Jesus at 17, felt a powerful call to share the Gospel, particularly the goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and mercy of God!
For the past 10 years she has been formed in speaking, evangelisation, catechesis & prayer ministry. In 2018, she graduated from the Maryvale Institute with a First-Class Honours Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Divinity and has received much of her formation through the Prince of Peace Community and New Dawn Conference Walsingham, founded by Myles Dempsey.
She speaks to people of all ages at prayer groups, youth groups, parishes, retreats, and conferences both nationally and internationally.
Pippa Baker will be speaking at HOD as one of our invited speakers for our Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2022.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new ways…
Pippa is a full time missionary with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and helps lead a worship collective called One Hope Project.
We look forward to welcoming her speaking to us all and encouraging all of us, especially those at HOD for Gateway or the wider Discipleship Course 2022.
Join us in The Tithe Barn at HOD for live worship and the talk.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates
Brother Loarne Ferguson will be speaking at HOD on two July evenings (26 and 28) as part of HOD’s Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2022.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory.. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new way…
Gateway week 2 focuses on Discipleship and Mission. Brother Loarne’s teaching on these evenings will focus on these areas, and be addressed especially to those at HOD for Gateway or the wider Discipleship Course 2022.
Brother Loarne has been a long-term friend of HOD, helping the community and those we serve in a number of ways, from the spiritual to the very practical – In 2021, he led a project to build us a new Apiary, using ecological methods and recycled material (see our blog post – The Apiary at HOD).
More details about Brother Loarne below.
Join us in The Tithe Barn at HOD for live worship and the talk.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates.
_______________________
Br. Loarne Ferguson
Br. Loarne became a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order 30 years ago. He is now 53 years old and lives at the Friary in Chester with six other religious brothers. For 14 years he has helped to form small groups dedicated to discipleship and evangelisation while holding various other posts.
Key Christian interests:
Divine change management for individuals and communities; prophetic ministry; equipping for mission; contemplative life.
Key human interests:
Creativity & culture; arts & crafts; relationships, ecology & music.
Esther Price will be speaking at HOD as part of HOD’s Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2022.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory.. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new way…
We have invited Esther to speak during Gateway week 2, which focuses on Discipleship and Mission. We are sure she will speak inspiringly in these areas due to her passion for evangelism and life given in service of the Gospel. Her teaching will be addressed especially those at HOD for Gateway or the wider Discipleship Course 2022, but is open to all.
More details about Esther below.
Join us in The Tithe Barn at HOD for live worship and the talk.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates
_______________________
Esther Price
God called Esther to full-time missions in her early 20’s, working with Youth With A Mission for 3 years. However, just as she was ready to do cross cultural missions, God told her to go back to Hereford.
After a long break away, God drew her back to missions and she went on her first trip with Blessed To Be A Blessing (BTBAB) to Peru in 2014. She has since been on a further 8 short term mission trips, worked in various co-ordinator posts for the organisation, lived in Thailand for 4 months and became the National Director in April 2022.
Esther is called to work with broken women, walking alongside them to see Gods healing and restoration in their lives.
Brother Loarne Ferguson will be speaking at HOD on two July evenings (26 and 28) as part of HOD’s Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2022.
The Conference is on the theme “Gateway” – opening the Gates and Doors of our lives to make way for the King of Glory.. Expand your horizons – connect with God and others in new way…
Gateway week 2 focuses on Discipleship and Mission. Brother Loarne’s teaching on these evenings will focus on these areas, and be addressed especially to those at HOD for Gateway or the wider Discipleship Course 2022.
Brother Loarne has been a long-term friend of HOD, helping the community and those we serve in a number of ways, from the spiritual to the very practical – In 2021, he led a project to build us a new Apiary, using ecological methods and recycled material (see our blog post – The Apiary at HOD).
More details about Brother Loarne below.
Join us in The Tithe Barn at HOD for live worship and the talk.
See the Calendar of Events for Friday night speakers on other dates.
_______________________
Br. Loarne Ferguson
Br. Loarne became a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order 30 years ago. He is now 53 years old and lives at the Friary in Chester with six other religious brothers. For 14 years he has helped to form small groups dedicated to discipleship and evangelisation while holding various other posts.
Key Christian interests:
Divine change management for individuals and communities; prophetic ministry; equipping for mission; contemplative life.
Key human interests:
Creativity & culture; arts & crafts; relationships, ecology & music.
One of our Seasons Creative Arts Retreat Days for 2022 Each day will start with a short seasonal reflection led by Margaret Wade. Then the rest of the day will be spent, using your own brought creative materials, as a response to the reflection. There will be plenty of time to use the craft studio, and to spend time in the beautiful courtyard and gardens.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Suggested creative art materials: Paints and Canvas; Air clay; Writing Materials; Calligraphy etc. All are welcome
Arrival from 9.45 ready to start at 10am and the day finishes at 4pm.
Program:
10am Welcome and Introduction
10:20 Jesus said to his disciples, “Come and have Breakfast” (John 21:12)
10.30 My Summer Breakfast Table
10:45 Creating my Personal Idea of Summer
12.45 Sharing at the Table of Creativity
1-2pm Lunch
2pm Inviting the Holy Spirit to Speak to Me
2.15 (Writing/Drawing)
2.30 My Creative Response
3.30 Sharing at the Table of Creativity
3.45 Quiet Prayer and Blessing
4pm Finish
The suggested contribution is £15 per person to include drinks and biscuits. Please bring your own packed lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Seasons Creative Arts Retreat Days for other dates in 2022
Hearing the Still Small Voice of God is an invitation to come and spend the day quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus. The day will have reflections led by Margaret Wade, as well as times of silence to reflect and be still.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel, Samuel”. Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening”. 1 Samuel 3:10
Please bring with you a bible, notebook and writing pens. The Art Studio will be available for use after lunch for anyone who would like to sketch or paint. Please bring your own art materials.
Administration is at 9.45am ready to start at 10am and the day finishes at 4pm. The suggested contribution is £20 per person to include drinks and biscuits. Please bring your own packed lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
Autumn: 5th October
One of our Seasons Creative Arts Retreat Days for 2022 Each day will start with a short seasonal reflection led by Margaret Wade. Then the rest of the day will be spent, using your own brought creative materials, as a response to the reflection. There will be plenty of time to use the craft studio, and to spend time in the beautiful courtyard and gardens.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Suggested creative art materials: Paints and Canvas; Air clay; Writing Materials; Calligraphy etc All are welcome
Arrival from 9.45 ready to start at 10am and the day finishes at 4pm. The suggested contribution is £15 per person to include drinks and biscuits. Please bring your own packed lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Seasons Creative Arts Retreat Days for other dates in 2022
Gae Trimming from community will be our First Friday Night Fellowship Meeting for November 22.Matthew 25:13… “Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour…”
“Faith for today and Hope for tomorrow”
This quiet day for Advent will be led by community and will be a time of waiting on God in reflection and prayer. In expectation and hope we will focus on the Hope of his coming, drawing Strength from the promises in his Word that He will not fail us.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…”
Hebrews 11 v 1
Suggested donation of £20, including drinks and biscuits.
Please bring your own packed lunch
To book a place, please contact us by phone or email.
For those nearby who can make it…
The House of the Open Door community invites you to a
Christmas Open Day
On Sunday 18th December 2022
Between 2 and 5pm
Come and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie!
We look forward to seeing you – Directions
Please Contact us to let us know if you are coming, or if you require further details
One of our Still Small Voice Days for 2023…
…an invitation to come and spend the day quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus.
The day will have reflections, led by Margaret, as well as times of silence.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times,
“Samuel, Samuel”.Then Samuel said,
“Speak for your servant is listening”.1 Samuel 3:10
There will be the opportunity to use the Craft Studio for creative silence (optional – please bring your own creative materials).
All are welcome – come and enjoy the day surrounded by our beautiful Retreat Centre and Gardens.
Administration is at 9.45 ready to start at 10am and the day finishes at 4pm. The suggested contribution is £20 per person to include drinks and biscuits. Please bring your own packed lunch.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Still Small Voice Days for other dates in 2023
This date is the beginning of our Spring term for the Discipleship Course 2023
In 2023 the Discipleship Course runs from February to December in three terms, and includes our summer conference, Gateway:
- Spring Term Wednesday 1 February – Friday 4 April
- Summer Term Monday 1 June- 6 August 2023
- Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2023 Saturday 24th – Sunday 6th August
- Autumn Term Sunday 1 October – Friday 15 December
For more details see Discipleship Course 2023
One of our Seasons Creative Retreat Days for 2023…
Each day will start with a short seasonal reflection led by Margaret Wade. Then the rest of the day will be spent, using your own brought creative materials, as a response to the reflection.
There will be plenty of time to use the craft studio, and to spend time in the beautiful courtyard and gardens.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
All are welcome: beginners, experienced and the curious!
Suggested creative art materials: paints, canvas; air clay; writing materials; calligraphy etc.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Seasons Creative Retreat Days for other dates in 2023
Join us for a quiet day of reflection for Lent.
This quiet day for Lent will be led by community members, as a a time of waiting on God in reflection and prayer.
We will reflect together on the theme “Finding Joy in the Wilderness”
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.
Isaiah 35:1-10
Through prayer, reflection on Scripture and silence during the day, we will seek to enter into this time of preparation for the Passion and Death of the Lord Jesus.
Suggested donation of £20, including drinks and biscuits.
Please bring your own packed lunch
To book a place, please contact us by phone or email.
Our guest speaker will be Alysen Merrill (more about Alysen below)“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind…”
Philippians 2:1-2
Alysen Merrill is passionate about people, the local church, discipleship journeys, organisational culture and really good curries! She was born in the states and would say it’s been her privilege to live and serve in England the last 18 years, currently being based in Oxfordshire. She desires to be an encouragement to friends and strangers alike and likes to help individuals be attentive to God.
She has worked with numerous churches in England and currently works for a youth charity as well as helping people and teams flourish in her role as a Strengthsfinder coach.
Dr Chloe Lynch
Dr Chloe Lynch will be our speaker.
The art of steering blog
One of our Seasons Creative Retreat Days for 2023…
Each day will start with a short seasonal reflection led by Margaret Wade. Then the rest of the day will be spent, using your own brought creative materials, as a response to the reflection.
There will be plenty of time to use the craft studio, and to spend time in the beautiful courtyard and gardens.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
All are welcome: beginners, experienced and the curious!
Suggested creative art materials: paints, canvas; air clay; writing materials; calligraphy etc.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Seasons Creative Retreat Days for other dates in 2023
Fr Columba Jordan CFR
Our guest speaker will be Fr Columba Jordan CFR.
‘Under cloud and under star’
(The Hobbit)‘A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God”’
(Isaiah 40.3)
Friday 19th May – Sunday 21st May 2023
The House of the Open Door community offers a retreat on the theme “Narnia, Middle-Earth and the Way of Life”
The retreat leader will be our longstanding friend Andy Swinford.
Andy writes:
Come and explore with us on this retreat the theme of Journeying through the life God has given us, drawing inspiration from the Bible and from the stories of C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien (no prior knowledge needed!). We shall look at such themes as leave-taking and home-coming, pilgrimage, companions upon the way, the great grace that sustains us, God’s loving protection, our resting places, risky living and probably much more.
It will be a time for drawing close to God, and receiving his grace-filled refreshment and rest, with plenty of opportunity for encountering God anew, both indoors and outside in the beautiful gardens and countryside surrounding The House of the Open Door. There will be time to listen and pray, and just to Be as we are refreshed by his Spirit and delight in God, enjoying his guiding light.
Suggested donation £200
Please Contact Us for more details, or to book.
__________________
Andy Swinford
Andy has frequently given multimedia presentations and lead retreats on C S Lewis. He has also written scripts for tours of places in Britain connected to Tolkien for Authatrails. He gave a presentation for the Three Shires Festival last year on links between these two authors and their love of the natural world.
Now retired, he taught English in secondary school for 25 years in Birmingham. Walking in the countryside and beekeeping are among his chief pleasures. He is currently writing a book on Joy in the fiction of C S Lewis.
He is a longstanding friend of The House of the Open Door, and has spoken before at our Friday Night Fellowship Meetings
This date is the beginning of our Spring term for the Discipleship Course 2023
In 2023 the Discipleship Course runs from February to December in three terms, and includes our summer conference, Gateway:
- Spring Term Wednesday 1 February – Friday 4 April
- Summer Term Monday 1 June- 6 August 2023
- Gateway Summer Youth Conference 2023 Saturday 24th – Sunday 6th August
- Autumn Term Sunday 1 October – Friday 15 December
For more details see Discipleship Course 2023
Matt Blair from Gas Street Church in Birmingham will be our Friday Night Fellowship Meeting speaker for June 2023, on the second Friday of the month, June 9th. Matt will speak to us on The Cross.
Matt hails originally from San Francisco, California and is the Operations Coordinator (GS South) and Associate Student Pastor for Gas Street. His assignment since joining Gas Street has been to build up the new Gas Street South location. Since January 2023, he has been working in the Student ministry and now looks after that alongside his Operations role.
Matt has over a decade of experience as a Worship Director and Worship Pastor and over two decades of experience working as a professional actor on stage and screen working alongside household names like Judi Dench and Matt Damon.
His passion is to see people radically transformed by the Holy Spirit and live lives wholly seeking the Lord and His Kingdom. He resides in Birmingham with his wife of 17 years and their two amazing children.
One of our Seasons Creative Retreat Days for 2023…
Each day will start with a short seasonal reflection led by Margaret Wade. Then the rest of the day will be spent, using your own brought creative materials, as a response to the reflection.
There will be plenty of time to use the craft studio, and to spend time in the beautiful courtyard and gardens.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
All are welcome: beginners, experienced and the curious!
Suggested creative art materials: paints, canvas; air clay; writing materials; calligraphy etc.
For booking details please contact us by email or phone – see Contact Us.
When you make a booking, you will be given information about the measures taken to ensure your safety and precautions such as social distancing, which we ask you to take during your time with us. Please see our page Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information.
See Seasons Creative Retreat Days for other dates in 2023
