Post on 21-Feb-2020
16
For Spring Programme Events, please see overleaf and mark the
number of places required for each event on list
Name:____________________________________________
Phone No:_____________________________
Email address: _____________________________________
or Postal address:
______________________________________________
________________________________________________
I enclose a cheque £________. (Helpful but not required to book)
Either copy, paste and return by email to:
warden@thewellcentreforspirituality.org.uk
or post to:
The Warden,
The Well, Centre for Spirituality,
at Elsie Briggs House,
38 Church Road,
Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3EQ.
1
Spring Programme
2020
at Elsie Briggs House
38 Church Road, Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol BS9 3EQ • 0117 950 7242
www.thewellcentreforspirituality.org.uk
Email: warden@thewellcentreforspirituality.org.uk
2
The Well, Centre for Spirituality
at Elsie Briggs House
The Well, Centre for Spirituality, is based in Elsie Briggs House,
originally a 15th century hall house, next to the Parish Church in
Westbury-on-Trym. It has been a place of ecumenical, contemplative
prayer since 1991 after Dr Elsie Briggs left the House to the Bristol
Diocese.
In her booklet about the House, Linda Hall says: “Elsie Briggs
House is an important survival from the medieval period and is unu-
sually complete.” We welcome visitors to see the House and are open
during the Westbury Fair, Bristol Doors Open Day and by arrange-
ment with the Warden at other times.
We welcome everyone from wherever they come to contempla-
tive spirituality in a medieval setting. We are ecumenical, open-
minded and use imaginative spiritual practices. The weekly and
monthly various regular groups of contemplative prayer are on pages
3-5. Special Events are on pages 8 & 9.
For further information about using the House for a group a
quiet day or short retreat, see page 7.
“Old Man’s Beard”
Photo by Sue Heap taken during
“Seeing The Light In Life”
Photography Day with
Rev’d Steve Radley
15
Events marked: * in the Programme, are events which are being held at The
Well but are not part of the House Programme. For details and to book for
the event, please use the name and contact details given in the Programme
entry.
There is no need to book for regular events in the Programme, just
come. Please book early for House Events:
BOOKING FORM
Date of Event: Title of Event: Suggested No. of
Donation ** Places .
25th Jan “Moses, Mysticism and
the Mountain”
With Ann Conway-Jones £20.00 _____
Sat. 22nd Feb “Just before Lent begins…”
A Quiet Day
with Frances Henley Lock £20.00 _____
.
Sat. 21st March “Touching Silence in Mind and Body”
With Jacqueline Evans £20.00 _____
Sat. 28th March Jewish Prayer and Meditation
with Valerie Russell Emmott and
Nicky Spencer-Hutchings £15.00 _____
.
The Spring Term ends: 4th April and the Summer Term begins: 19th April, 2020
For all events marked: “£” No-one should be prevented from at-
tending any of these events for financial reasons. If any of these
suggested donations** pose a problem, please give a donation
according to your means. If you are able to offer more, you will
be helping to fund future events.
14
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPGRADE TO THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM.
Yes, it has been a long time a-coming but is not far off now. We have
heard that work will begin on 6th January and last for three or four weeks.
This does mean that the House will be closed, probably, for the whole of Janu-
ary. It may be possible to find alternative venues for weekly/monthly activi-
ties and we will help the leaders of these groups, in any way we can.
Many thanks to each person who has contributed in any way - and there
have been many ways - towards the money needed for the Upgrade and for
the patience that’s been needed when nothing has happened for ages.
WESTBURY FAIR, SATURDAY, 9th MAY, 2020
As part of the Village festivities, the House will be open for visitors dur-
ing the day. If you have not been to The Well before, this is a quieter oppor-
tunity than during Doors Open Day! We will probably have the ladder down
so that folk may see the medieval rafters, not usually able to be seen. If the
weather co-operates, it may be possible to sit in the garden with refreshments.
Bricks/volunteers would be very welcome during
the day for a variety of jobs and for as long as you feel
able; even an hour can make a big difference to re-
lieve the Bricks who are with you.
.
On several Sunday afternoons in JUNE and
JULY w e w ill serve traditional CREAM TEAS,
hopefully, as we have so often, in the garden where the summer flowers and
foliage will be looking wonderful. Keep an eye out for dates in the Summer
Programme.
Again, Bricks to serve teas and scones would be really welcome, with
the reward of a Cream Tea.
All these events give opportunities to meet other members of the Com-
munity at The Well. See Page 10 for more information about the Community
at The Well.
3
Weekly Programme The House offers a regular programme of events that encourages ex-
ploration of the contemplative tradition. All groups are open to any-
one who might be interested.
TUESDAYS
2:00pm – 3:00pm THE JULIAN MEETING
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, beginning on 7th January.. A time of silence with a
short reading at the beginning and the end of the silence. Contact Sue Heap
for details on: 0117 973 3866.
3:00pm – 5:00pm OPEN AFTERNOON
A chance to meet people and get to know the House. All are welcome to en-
joy the House, Garden, Library and a cuppa. House will be open on 7th Jan-
uary.
5:00pm – 6:00pm SHARED SILENCE
An hour of meditative silence, come for as long as you like, a few minutes or
the hour.
WEDNESDAYS
*7:15pm-8:45pm CENTERING PRAYER
Weekly in term time. Beginning 8th January. Last session of term: 1st April.
Based on the teaching of Thomas Keating. Newcomers, please come on the
first Wednesday of the month, when we offer a short introduction to the
method of Centering Prayer. For details, contact: Emma Lanham: 0117
908 6884 or Julia Richmond on: 0117 942 6128.
THURSDAYS
6:00pm–7:00pm
SILENT VIGIL FOR PEACE & HEALING OF CONFLICT Every week, from 9th Jan. To hold the fear of a worried world in Light &
Love. Everyone is welcome from all faiths and none. Come for a few
minutes or the hour. Bring a prayer book, beads, prayer mats or just your-
self; what-ever will help you in the silence. Contact the Warden: 0117 950
7242 or warden@thewellcentreforspirituality.org.uk .
4
8:00pm-9:00pm CHRISTIAN MEDITATION (WCCM) Every week from 9th Jan. Based on teaching from the Desert tradition and
the work of John Main OSB. Contact: Caroline Price on: 07786 934687
or carolineshalom.price@gmail.com
MONTHLY GROUPS
TUESDAYS 7:15 for 7:30 A TIME OF PRAYER FOR HEALING
14th Jan, 11th Feb, 10th March
Using an Iona-style format, we come together to pray for healing for those
who have asked our prayers, for the world and for ourselves. Prayer petitions
may be added to baskets in Quiet Room or Kitchen. More info on page 6.
WEDNESDAYS 7:30pm—9:00pm BOOK GROUP
Usually, the first Wednesday of each month:
8th Jan: The Well – Catherine Chanter
5th Feb: The Sealwoman's Gift – Sally Magnusson
4th Mar: The Resurgence Magazine—we have copies
1st Apr: The Water Thief – Claire Hajaj
Contact Penny De Lacy on: 0117 942 3952 or email:
pdelacy@blueyonder.co.uk £3.00
7:00pm FILM NIGHT
29th Jan, 26th Feb, 25th March
Usually, the last Wednesday of the month. The purpose of Film Night is to share
the experience of a film that has been selected because of its spiritual or ethi-
cal theme, we then offer our reactions and insights to one another. This is
preceded with a shared supper and so a sense of a community is forged.
Contact Katy Staples: katystaples@yahoo.com £6.00
13
wells and you know that most often they are built of bricks, to make
the well strong and maintain its shape. If you are wondering how you
could contribute to strengthening and maintaining The Well, would you
consider being a Brick - a volunteer - at The Well?
The jobs are many and varied and can be swapped, so no-one has to feel
they are stuck with one job forever. These are some of the roles for which
we need Bricks:
Open Days: Bristol Doors Open Day
Westbury Fair
Cream Teas and other Events
Contacting Friends and Supporters:
Emailing Programmes, termly; leaflets as needed
Mail copies of Programmes as needed
Preparation of Programme:
Printing
Folding
Distributing Programmes and Leaflets to other places
Housekeeping:
(Making beds and washing linen)
Ironing
Watering and caring for the House plants
Sewing jobs—repairs, mostly
Small handy-person jobs
Gardening:
A variety of jobs all year round for experienced and novice
gardeners or those who just want to be Garden Bricks.
In return, as a Thank You, we can offer Bricks a 10% discount
on all The Well events when booking.
If being a Brick appeals to you, please contact Vicki Thomas on
vickithomas@blueyonder.co.uk or 0117 968 6561.
12
The Friends of Elsie Briggs House
Since 1998, the Friends of Elsie Briggs House (registered charity
number 1064760) have supported the House with voluntary practical
help and by regular financial contributions. They have often raised
money for major maintenance work on the fabric of our 15th century
building.
They also own and maintain the cottage (39 Church Road). This
provides free accommodation for the warden.
Many people already support the Friends on a regular basis, for
which we are extremely grateful. Others, including many who come to
the House regularly, are hardly aware of their existence.
We would like to welcome more of you as Friends. As the
Friends are a charity, it is possible to Gift Aid donations to The Well,
which enables us to increase the value of a donation by 25%. The sug-
gested subscription is £25.00 but please give a subscription of what-
ever you can afford.
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, please let Frances
know, and we will send details, or pick up a yellow form in the kitchen
when you next come to visit.
Be a Brick at The Well - an essential part of what we are
Many people have given their time and energy over the years to help
make The Well at Elsie Briggs House the special place it is today and we
are very grateful to each of them.
We are now appealing to those who may not have helped in the past
but may have more time to give now. You have probably seen pictures of
5
THURSDAYS 30th Jan, 27th Feb, 26th March
6:45pm—7:45pm RELAXATION FOR LIVING and more
Relaxation tools for stress-free living. Easy ways to feel relaxed, energised
and in control, to enable meditation, prayer and daily life. Led by qualified
RFL practitioner, Hilary Milsom, who will teach simple, fun exercises for
everyday use.
Contact Hilary: email: hilarymilsom.rfli@gmail.com £6.00
FRIDAYS 7:45pm for 8:00pm TAIZÉ PRAYER
1st Friday of the month. Beginning on 10th Jan., Taize Prayer is a time of
songs, readings and intercessory prayer. Contact Richard Rigby for details
on: 0117 904 9813 £3.00
SATURDAYS
*18th Jan, 15th Feb, 14th March
10:30am–1:00pm MINDFULNESS & COMPASSION
Come to one, some or all. Led by qualified practitioner Vicki Thomas. Take
time out of busy lives to learn valuable skills for calming the mind and self-
acceptance. Contact: Vicki 07985075295 vickithomas@blueyonder.co.uk
£20.00
6
An Iona-style format for:
A Time of Prayer For Healing
This time of prayer for healing reflects our belief that, as expressed
in Jesus’s life and teaching, God’s purpose is a life of wholeness for everyone.
Recognising that we all stand in need of healing; through this time
of prayer we include the healing of divided communities and nations, and
the healing of the earth itself, alongside the healing of broken bodies, hurt
minds and wounded hearts, as well as the hurts and divisions within our-
selves. This time of prayer is complementary to all forms of healing and the
work of traditional medicine, all are being used for God’s loving purpose.
We invite anyone to bring the names of particular people, places or
situations for prayer during this time. There will be paper and pens for pray-
er requests to be added to baskets kept in the Quiet room and Kitchen for the
time of prayer for healing. Each person, each place or situation is already
known to God but by bringing them to the time of prayer, we focus our at-
tention on God’s love being brought into the prayer request. God can’t be
changed by our prayer but through God’s love we seek to change the world.
We do not know or understand how our prayer will be answered or when,
but we trust God that they will be answered.
During the time of prayer, those who wish to receive or share in the
act of laying on of hands, will have the opportunity to come forward. The
prayer can be for those present and those absent or for situations. This work
is for the whole Christian community, not restricted to certain individuals.
All who are present are part of the healing process and purpose of God’s
healing and life-giving love for each of us.
A Time of Prayer For Healing takes place on Tuesday evenings from
7:15pm for 7:30pm this term on: 14th Jan, 11th Feb and 10th March.
Everyone is welcome.
This approach is inspired by the Iona Community, and material from the Iona Abbey Worship Book (published by Wild Goose Publications -
http://www.ionabooks.com) is used by permission.
11
If you would like to write something for this page, a line or a para-
graph, about why The Well is important to you in some way, we can publish it
in future Programmes and it would help, I hope, to maintain and strengthen
the sense of Community at The Well.
Here are two to start with:
“Thoughts on The Well Garden in November It is chilly but dry and the sky is all-over blue. The time of leaf-harvest - cher-
ry red, oak brown, lime yellow - glorious colour everywhere. There are au-
tumn leaves in abundance - on the grass, the flower-beds and the paths, in
the containers, clogging the gutters and the drains - some already feeding a
variety of worms. I rake them together and bag them as my part in their
transformation into mulch. I love this space. It reminds me of Wordsworth's
description of the skylark ' True to the kindred points of Heaven and Home' -
a safe haven but open to the sky. Open also to view by passers-by on the path
from car park to Church Road. Open to everyone who chooses to visit wheth-
er the individual retreatant or the hundred people who arrive on Open Doors
Day.
But for now I am alone here. An ambulance siren calls out on the road to
Southmead Hospital and the angelus bell sounds from the church linking pre-
sent time to the Middle Ages when the bell was made. The garden has lost its
colour hidden in shades of grey. It's time to go home.”
Sue Heap
“A Spiritual Home
“I've been part of The Well community now for 4 years and it has become
a spiritual home for me. Both the house itself, which seems to have
peace and prayerfulness in its very fabric, and the community of people
I meet there on a Tuesday open afternoon for tea and silent meditation, give
me nourishment for my soul and spiritual life. It is also a real
privilege to be able to share my Mindfulness and Compassion practices
with people there once a month and the space and peacefulness that The
Well has in its walls - gives a wonderful environment and atmosphere to
the healing sessions we have there - the participants feel this too and com-
ment on it.”
Vicki Thomas
Frances
Warden at The Well
10
The Community at The Well
You may not see The Well as ‘a Community’, it is not a residential
place, it is not a place where people gather together as a ‘Community’, to have
meals or prayer together specifically. Yet more and more there appears to me
to be a dispersed community coming together. The groups that come to the
House are separate, each comes at a specific time and leaves, often without
encountering anyone other than those in their group. There are, also, the
regular individual people who come for Quiet Days or Quiet Time. All of the
groups and people could go to different places. Yet it seems that each group
and person comes to The Well because it is The Well at Elsie Briggs House.
That is the common denominator.
Alongside all the activities, there are more people coming to the House be-
cause they are lonely. Coming to The Well on Tuesday afternoons or any of
the groups, is a safe way of being with other people, without being questioned
or judged.
Sarah,
Rodger and
Shan,
Volunteers,
serving teas
during
Doors Open
Day
Each individual for whatever reason they come, brings something to
The Well and, hopefully, takes away more than that for which they came.
Often people talk about the sense of presence, the silence and the peace of the
House and each of those who come contributes to that. For me that’s where
the sense of community arises. All make a contribution - which is invisible
and silent - but significant to The Well, linking us with invisible threads,
making a deeper connection, in my view, with the Community at The Well.
. Maybe there could be a reason or opportunity to gather together at
some point, to meet each other in person. That’s not the purpose of The
Community; it is the recognition that whoever comes to the House is a part of
something bigger than the group or themselves, and, by their presence, con-
tributes to enlarging the Community.
.
7
Coming To The Well
Individuals and groups seeking a place for quiet days and silent retreat
are very welcome, by arrangement with the Warden. Overnight accommoda-
tion is also possible for one or two people.
The House consists of an ancient Quiet Room, a light and airy meeting
room upstairs and a well-stocked Library. We hope, soon, to have completed
the refurbishment of the kitchen and bathroom, to bring the facilities up to a
good standard. The lovely garden has interest all year, cared for by hard-
working and dedicated Bricks/volunteers, and is part of the Quiet Garden
Movement.
We don’t have a charge for coming for a day or for staying. We do sug-
gest a donation but no-one should be prevented from coming for financial
reasons. If a suggested donation poses a problem, please give a donation ac-
cording to your means. If you are able to offer more, you will be helping to
fund the future of The Well.
For further details about any of the House events at The Well or if you would
like to spend time in the House or come with your group, please get in touch.
Contact the Warden: email: warden@thewellcentreforspirituality.org.uk or
telephone: 0117 950 7242
Getting to know the House … Come and visit the House on a Tuesday after-
noon. You will be most welcome to join us for a cuppa and chat, in the gar-
den, if it’s fine, or in the warmth of the kitchen, if the weather is cooler.
.
The Well is Affiliated to these organisations:
Retreat Association, offers listings of retreat centres throughout the UK.
www.retreats.org
The Quiet Garden Movement. Large and small gardens open for contempla-
tion and renewal. www.quietgarden.org.uk
Small Pilgrim Places Network (SPPN) a national organisation promoting
quiet places in which to pray or be. www.smallpilgrimplaces.org
8
SPECIAL EVENTS
SATURDAY, 25th JANUARY
09:30am for 10:00am—4:00pm
“MOSES, MYSTICISM AND THE MOUNTAIN”
Led by Ann Conway-Jones
Come and discover how Moses’ experiences on Mount Sinai relate to the
practice of prayer and contemplation. We will explore Moses’ journey into
darkness; the elders’ vision of a sapphire pavement; God’s refusal to reveal
the divine face; and Moses’ glorious transformation. With the help of early
Christian mystics, who drew on difficulties in the biblical text to argue for a
higher, spiritual meaning, we will reflect on such questions as: What treas-
ures are hidden in darkness and silence? Where is God to be found? What do
we even mean by ‘God’? How might prayer transform us? £20.00
SATURDAY, 22nd FEBRUARY
09:30am for 10:00am—4:00pm
“JUST BEFORE LENT BEGINS…”
Led by Frances Henley Lock It’s not long since we celebrated Christmas and in the coming week will start
the journey to Easter. It’s often said that Jesus took time away to a quiet
place. Maybe we need to do the same and find Jesus and ourselves in the
ordinary before starting the pilgrimage of Lent. The day will have some
input, time for reflection and experiential opportunities. £20.00
*FRIDAY, 28th FEBUARY—MONDAY, 2nd MARCH
THE DISCOVERY OF WILL:
A COURSE ON THE ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHOSYNTHESIS
led by Peter Crowe and Samantha Cairns
.Designed for those wishing to forge a meaningful path through, what Keats
called, “the vale of soul-making”, this course is for people seeking greater self-
expression, more fulfilling connections and a deeper sense of purpose in their
lives. The four-day intensive offers a transformative and enriching opportuni-
ty for personal development and spiritual discovery through a programme
that encourages embracing potentiality, opening to possibility, and exploring
creative insights and inspiration. Contact Peter 07543225011 or
email: peter@consciouscollective.org.uk £320 including £50 deposit
9
SATURDAY, 21st MARCH
09:30am for 10:00am—4:00pm “TOUCHING SILENCE IN MIND AND BODY”
Led by Jacqueline Evans .
Jacqueline is an Alexander Technique teacher for whom Alexander princi-
ples profoundly deepen the experience of meditation. On this day retreat she
will be teaching techniques for rediscovering your inherent ease and free-
dom, which help to calm breathing and quieten your mind, both on and off
the meditation mat or chair. You will discover ways of touching into Silence
as you go about your life. £20.00
Some of the Book Group, which meets on 1st Wednesdays
.
SATURDAY, 28TH MARCH
2:30pm—5:00pm Please note the time .EXPLORING JEWISH MEDITATION AND CHANT .
An experiential afternoon where we will learn about how to embody some of the central Jewish daily prayers through gentle movement, chanting, and silent meditation. Co -led by Valerie Russell Emmott and Nicky Spencer-Hutchings. Both are students of Jewish and other spiritual traditions, and are lay service leaders and members of Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation (www.bwpjc.org) in Easton.