See I am doing a new thing…

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43: 18-9
What a couple of years! A journey that none of us will have wanted to be a part of, but one that has impacted everyone! Although we will not see the back of COVID-19 and the turmoil it has brought, there is a future…and a bright one!

The verse above, was given to me in recent weeks and it spoke immediately of the journey that St Katharine’s, Parmoor has been on these last few years. I arrived here on the 1st February 2019 and it has certainly not been the 3 years we were expecting it to be. However, we have got through and we are looking forward to the coming year and beyond as we develop and grow as He leads.

Importantly, this is a verse for each and everyone one of us and I trust and pray that as you read it, you receive the peace and knowledge that ‘…it’s going to be alright!’

 

Whilst we have come so far in the last 3 years, we can dwell and rejoice on that but we want to look forward and all that we hope to achieve. So what does the next few months have in store for St Katharine’s, Parmoor?

Please click on the following links for more details.

We have put together (and are adding to) a programme of Retreats, Quiet Days and some other events.

Holy Week Quiet Days/Retreat, 2 music retreats with Marilyn Baker Ministries and then Dave & Pat Bilbrough. And the year ends with an Advent Retreat and Quiet Day.

Can we encourage you to pop on to our Social Media platforms by click the following links;
Facebook        Twitter          Instagram
Please look out for our ‘Monday Musings’ on Facebook and Instagram. Members of the Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship provide these and give some food for thought at the start of your week.

 

We continue to provide space – both for the day and residentially – for;

  • individuals
  • prayer/friendship/parish groups
  • leadership teams
  • and other groupings

Please visit our website to see, or call us to talk through, what we are able to offer.

Other News…
We are constantly looking to see where we can improve who we are and what we offer. Here are some things we are working through already…

Chaplaincy Team – a team of people who will provide a spiritual input to the life of the House. Being available to regularly pray for the House and provide Spiritual Direction for any guests seeking such input. We are just working through the process and more details will be available in the next Newsletter.

Open Day – Saturday 16th July – after the success of last year’s event, we are in the early stages of planning for this year. There will be opportunity to look around the house, hear some of it’s history. We will have another array of craft stalls to peruse and Marlow Town band will once again provide some music.
Importantly, we will also be marking the 10th Anniversary of the Lady Ryder Memorial Garden and celebrating the great work that is done there.

Refurbishments – we are in the early stages of looking at the feasibility of;

         – installing a lift in the main house which will improve accessibility for many;
– converting one of the bedrooms on the first floor to an ‘all-access’ room;
– providing some more ensuite bedrooms.

These refurbishments will clearly not be cheap and we are looking at putting together a fundraising project for this specific work. More details will be available in due course

In recent weeks we have been able to welcome some wonderful volunteers/part-time staff, who are all settling in well. We do continue to look for people to assist in the work that we are carrying out here.

If through these last months, you have, or know of someone who has been reconsidering the journey going forward, we are able to offer opportunities for a change of direction. If this attracts or gives reason to think further, please get in touch. We are open to part-time, live-in, short or longer term opportunities.

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“ Thank you for a wonderful afternoon tea. ”

Oasis, Christ Church - Jul 2018

“ Thank you for having us! Great stay, lovely garden and helpful staff. See you again next year. ”

Vacation Project, Lincoln College Oxford - Aug 2018

“ The success of the weekend was helped ... by the quality of the accommodation ... the generous provision of our food but perhaps most of all the staff ”

Bereaved dads' weekend Nov 2018

“ This has been a wonderful caring time. Thank you St Katharine's staff team. ”

NW & JT, Marlow - Oct 2018

“ Thank you so much for everything that you and your team did for our family yesterday. Everything went so smoothly and everyone said what a wonderful venue St Katharine's was both in terms of food and venue. Your team were absolutely outstanding and made the day very easy for us. ”

CM - Feb 2020

“ Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was perfect. The memorial garden is wonderful and so good to have time to sit and appreciate the atmosphere. ”

Rosemary

“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Please convey my thanks to all who were involved. May God bless you all ”

J.K. London 2022