1 July 2011

Imagine a place located deep in the heart of the North Devon countryside with a private shingle beach on its doorstep, where on a fine summer’s day you can sit outside, gaze out to sea while watching swallows and swifts swooping and somersaulting in the air surrounding you . . .

Such a place is Lee Abbey, hidden between Lynton and Woody Bay, at the entrance to the legendary Valley of the Rocks with its colony of wild goats; the Christian community is set in 280 acres of farm and woodland, overlooking the dramatic Exmoor coast. Lee Abbey though is no ancient monastery – rather, it’s a living international, Christian community that tries to model something of what a Jesus-centred life can be like today. Opened in June 1946 and dedicated to God by the Bishop of Exeter, the community received its first guests soon after. Since then it has become known the world over as a Christian community that hosts conferences, retreats and provides holiday breaks, whose vision is that all who stay there may experience a new or renewed encounter with the living Christ. The community is an interdenominational Christian team of more than 90 individuals and families who have been brought together from across the globe who have answered the call to live for God and serve God.

During the final weekend in May, some ninety parishioners journeyed to Lee Abbey for a weekend away together – and what a wonderful weekend it proved to be! We were a motley crew, to say the least, aged between five and just over eighty years young, and what struck me from the outset was the sense of caring for each other that prevailed throughout our time together; it was humbling to watch old friendships at ease with each other and new friendships emerging. The sight of the children so obviously relishing their surroundings (especially the beach!) and the company on offer caused much smiling throughout the weekend. Watching them at play was akin to that scene in the recent film of C S Lewis’ ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’ when the Pevensie children are exploring the professors’ grand house and tearing up and down staircases in what must be one of the most energetic games of ‘hide and seek’ ever captured on film! And as for their adventures on the zip-wire . . . my admiration knows no bounds for those who braved that particular terror!

  During the weekend we had the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including the following: taught workshops on the theme of building God’s church; experiencing a Taize Service; a bonfire on the beach; reflecting during a Christ In Quiet service at the end of the day; numerous shared meals – with delicious desserts;

bracelet-making workshop; stone painting class; a visit to Lynton and Lynmouth; after dinner ‘refreshments’; guided walks on the estate – and the list goes on and on . . .

As for what impacted on people the most? I think it would be safe to say that for the majority of those who attended the parish weekend away, the Sunday service with its sermon from a boat proved a genuinely special time. The look on the children’s faces while they were sat in that boat, eyes wide open, mouths agape, concentrating entirely on David Rowe the Warden as he opened the chest to reveal the treasure that was the chalice, the bread and the wine for communion, is a vision that has stayed with me since. Furthermore, I was genuinely encouraged by the community’s young people leading us joyfully and spiritually in worship; their giving so freely of themselves in God’s service was inspirational. I remain challenged by how we make the mysteries and marvels of our faith accessible to all, especially our young people.

Jesus challenges people. He tells us that the real way to be fulfilled is to put ourselves out for each other instead of fighting for number one. When he was here on earth, many people didn’t like the sound of it. But he gave us a radical idea of how the world really works, and offers us direct help everyday from the loving God who made it. What I witnessed first-hand at Lee Abbey was a Christian community – both hosts and guests – putting themselves out for each other, putting themselves out for me – and for that I was grateful and encouraged. At the heart of the experience of a parish weekend away at Lee Abbey is the belief that it’s God’s love, God’s power and God’s call that keeps us together and focussed on the Kingdom vision. I pray that in the weeks and months ahead we reflect on the experience of Lee Abbey – and on their vision statement in particular: ‘Communicating Christ Through Relationships’, and that (for me) means above all else, meeting people where they are at – just as they are, and just as Christ did, instead of having a focus on wanting to meet people at the point where we would like them to be.

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: ‘behind every good man is a good woman.’ So, it’s confession time: in case of the organising the parish weekend away, behind this Welsh woman were two exceptionally good men – Michael Webb and Sean Sweeney – as well as a further band of merry men and women, too numerous to mention by name, but whose gracious help was invaluable. My sincere thanks therefore to Michael (the ‘money man’), and Sean (general transport and entertainment secretary) and all who willingly pitched in – what a team! It was so lovely being able to spend time together and get to know each other better. If our efforts over the parish weekend away are anything to go by, then our church family is something rather special, something to reassure, and most of all something to be shared with others. A final thought: when shall we do it all again?!!!