Stephen Ibbotson - “Contemplative Living – wisdom from the past for life today”

for 6 hours
St James
Main Street Normanton on Soar Loughborough, LE12 5HB, United Kingdom

Those of you who came to Stephen Ibbotson’s day last March will remember how inspiring he is and be delighted to know he is returning to St James on Saturday 16 March from 10 am to 4 pm with his wife Helena. They have kindly agreed to lead another one of their special days at St James, that are normally run at the Sacrista Prebend Retreat House in Southwell. We are very grateful to them for doing this, to make it easier for those of us in the south of the Diocese to attend. This year’s theme will be “Contemplative Living – wisdom from the past for life today.” All are welcome, lunch is provided, and we ask for donations towards their work. Places will be limited – so do email [email protected] if you would like to come and join us. You don’t have to be a regular worshipper at St James to join us for this day!

Each Monday during term time, Stephen Ibbotson coordinates Stilling Prayer from the Sacrista with a brief, personal reflection. His reflections are emailed to us, and we often use them in our monthly Quiet Times. They draw on Christian writing and thought, whether it be from the Bible, spiritual classics, or contemporary writers and personal thought. For those who are unable to get to Southwell, people from a wide area join these Monday sessions by Zoom.

Stephen, before retirement, was a Baptist minister with 40-years’ experience in church-based ministry. He was actively involved in church planting, faith and culture movements in his earlier ministry. Later in his ministry he developed an interest in spirituality and the formation of our inner-life and, together with his wife Helena, leads retreats. They worship at Southwell Minster. Stephen says:

Is there a way of understanding how God communicates within our lives without falling into the glib and the super-spiritual? What if we could learn from an ancient Christian tradition with spiritual discernment at the heart of its spirituality? The Ignatian tradition, which emphasizes contemplation in the midst of action, provides such an opportunity. One of the strengths of this approach is the activity of our lives and is the focus for discerning God in everyday life. So, it is a form of spirituality especially suited to those called to an active, busy lifestyle.

This teaching day reflects on the wisdom of this tradition and provides space for conversation and sharing insights around this theme, as well as opportunity to practice some spiritual exercises. Whilst personally focused, this seminar has implications of how we hear God’s voice together in church life.

St James

St James Church, Normanton on Soar, dating from the 12th Century, is situated beside the river Soar at one of the most southerly points in the county of Nottinghamshire. The nearest town is Loughborough in Leicestershire, which is approximately four miles away by road to the south.


St James’ Church is a small church, standing on the River Soar, a Grade I listed building, and is known as the Boatmen’s Church. It is a wonderful historical building in a fantastic location of peace and tranquility beside the river. The earliest mention of a church in Normanton appears in a document of uncertain date between 1141 and 1147 confirming the grant of a church here to the monastery at Durham by the Archbishop of York. No records exist which might provide evidence of when the present church was built, and one has therefore to rely on the architectural styles apparent in the structure. Those appearing in St James’ are the three Gothic styles known as: Early English 1189-1272, Decorated 1272-1377 and Perpendicular 1377-1485. The church underwent a major restoration in 1889, and then again in 1986 following a fire in the chancel. The Font dates from the 14th century and is hewn from a single block of stone. Booklets in the church provide a detailed history of the church and the changes it has seen over the years.

Music and contemplative prayer are very much part of St James’ mission, and the church is open every day for private contemplation, with quiet music. Spiritual books are available to take and to share. The position of St James, by the gently flowing river, with fields behind, provides a quiet and tranquil spot for this beautiful, small church, well loved for centuries. As a resident of the village commented: “I value the spirituality which I feel when I am in and around the church. It offers that rare attribute, in an increasingly noisy world, of a space of peace and quiet for personal prayer or even just respite from the trauma of the day.”

The stones themselves seem to speak of those who have gone before and left their thoughts and prayers in this thin place. The church provides quiet seating areas with cushions and throws to keep warm, with prayers and resources from the Julian Group, poems, thoughts and prayers that people want to share who attend our Quiet Times. Candles are available to light with prayers to use which have been shared from other churches.

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Get in touch

Brian Archbold

The Willows
Butt Lane
Normanton on Soar
LOUGHBOROUGH

LE12 5EE
Brian Archbold (Churchwarden & Hon Treasurer)
01509 842341
Brian Archbold (Churchwarden & Hon Treasurer)
07850 414158

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Stephen Ibbotson - “Contemplative Living – wisdom from the past for life today”

for 6 hours
St James
Main Street Normanton on Soar Loughborough, LE12 5HB, United Kingdom

Those of you who came to Stephen Ibbotson’s day last March will remember how inspiring he is and be delighted to know he is returning to St James on Saturday 16 March from 10 am to 4 pm with his wife Helena. They have kindly agreed to lead another one of their special days at St James, that are normally run at the Sacrista Prebend Retreat House in Southwell. We are very grateful to them for doing this, to make it easier for those of us in the south of the Diocese to attend. This year’s theme will be “Contemplative Living – wisdom from the past for life today.” All are welcome, lunch is provided, and we ask for donations towards their work. Places will be limited – so do email [email protected] if you would like to come and join us. You don’t have to be a regular worshipper at St James to join us for this day!

Each Monday during term time, Stephen Ibbotson coordinates Stilling Prayer from the Sacrista with a brief, personal reflection. His reflections are emailed to us, and we often use them in our monthly Quiet Times. They draw on Christian writing and thought, whether it be from the Bible, spiritual classics, or contemporary writers and personal thought. For those who are unable to get to Southwell, people from a wide area join these Monday sessions by Zoom.

Stephen, before retirement, was a Baptist minister with 40-years’ experience in church-based ministry. He was actively involved in church planting, faith and culture movements in his earlier ministry. Later in his ministry he developed an interest in spirituality and the formation of our inner-life and, together with his wife Helena, leads retreats. They worship at Southwell Minster. Stephen says:

Is there a way of understanding how God communicates within our lives without falling into the glib and the super-spiritual? What if we could learn from an ancient Christian tradition with spiritual discernment at the heart of its spirituality? The Ignatian tradition, which emphasizes contemplation in the midst of action, provides such an opportunity. One of the strengths of this approach is the activity of our lives and is the focus for discerning God in everyday life. So, it is a form of spirituality especially suited to those called to an active, busy lifestyle.

This teaching day reflects on the wisdom of this tradition and provides space for conversation and sharing insights around this theme, as well as opportunity to practice some spiritual exercises. Whilst personally focused, this seminar has implications of how we hear God’s voice together in church life.

Safeguarding

Our parish of Normanton on Soar is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact our PSO, Lucy Rychwalska-Brown [email protected] or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

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