OVERVIEW
Are you trying to juggle all the balls in your life and don’t know how to get things back on track?
Restore Balance will offer those with busy lives a chance to step away for a 4-day retreat to bring balance and nourish the soul with an opportunity to be refreshed and resourced.
Each day there will be intentional time to connect with God through the awe and wonder of nature such as guided walks and other recreational activities or, simply rest. Selah.
This will be complemented by some short relaxed sessions as a group and the opportunity for 1-1 with a spiritual director or coach for spiritual input and insight.
The 5 day/4 night retreat will be hosted and facilitated by two couples, Paul and Rosanne Arnott and Peter and Lynne Grant.
Paul and Rosanne Arnott have been married for 39 years and have been close friends with Peter and Lynne for almost that long. While they were both born in Tasmania they have lived in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs since 2002. They are continually blessed by sharing life with each other and their 3 beautiful daughters Alice, Libbie and Catherine. They enjoy walking, reading, movies and travel.
Rosanne is a Spiritual Director with Wellspring and for the past 12 years has been helping train others in the ministry. She finds great joy in journeying alongside others as they give expression to their own unique story. She loves being at home and enjoys sharing her home with others. Rosanne feels nurtured when she takes time to reflect, pray, read, walk or be a bit creative. She is drawn to contemplative spirituality because it helps her to be more real, honest and present to the sacred in all of life.
Paul is the Executive Director of CMA’s Q4Connection, a Kids Hope mentor and a Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministries chaplain. He has a degree in Theology, a CertIV in Christian Leadership Coaching and coaches a number of people. He has written two books and enjoys swimming, walking and the very occasional game of badly played golf.
Peter and Lynne Grant have been married for 43 years. Together they have three adult children and nine grandchildren, all living in Tasmania. As you can imagine their home in Hobart is not always tranquil!
Tasmania has been their home for 38 years and together they have explored some of its wild places, with its beauty and quiet.
Peter has studied Earth Science, Theology and Education, and is also a published writer. For 24 years he worked with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and is passionate about the natural environment and gets out into it as often as possible. He loves folk music, reading, socialising and humour. His favourite quote is “I am only interested in everything.”
Lynne is a Teacher and Spiritual Mentor, who loves walking, reading, sewing, travel and family shenanigans. She enjoys hospitality, with good food and wine, and more recently practising spiritual hospitality to those wanting to go deeper with God. She loves music, dance, art, the colour red and Khachaturian. She’s an investor in people, particularly grandkids – but promises no photos!
ITINERARY
Welcome dinner will be at 6.30pm followed by an orientation and information session.
Included Meals:
10.30am: Morning activity
Activity 1: Recreational trip/walk – Nicholas Sugarloaf (return approximately 1.15pm)
Length of walk: 2.5 hours
OR
Activity 2: Morning tea and stroll around Ratho Farm - quiet time to rest and reflect
1.30pm Lunch at Ratho Farm for those who are spending time around Ratho Farm
2-5pm Optional 1-1 sessions (need to register): spiritual direction/mentoring, life coaching or reflections in the environment; AND/OR
Quiet time for rest, reflection or alternate activity (art/craft, walking, golf, rest)
6.00 Whole group evening gathering - share, listen, reflect: what do you notice rising up in you from today? Share in pairs, then share into the group.
7pm Cheese platter/drinks, socialising
7.30 Dinner
9 pm Evening Pause (Selah) – a time for quiet reflection
Included Meals:
9am Whole group meeting for spiritual input and planning activities
10.30am Morning Activity - a trip to NANT Distillery for Lunch and optional tour/tasting, stroll around historic grounds and gardens
3-5pm Contemplative art session and some free time for golf, rest, walking.
6pm Whole group meeting, share, listen, reflect
7pm Cheese platter/drinks, socialising
9 pm Evening Pause (Selah) – a time for quiet reflection
Included Meals:
9am Whole group morning gathering 3: with spiritual input and activity planning:
Theme: Seeing a way forward
10.30 Activity: a Selah/contemplative stroll in the historic town of Bothwell: options include the museum, church, cemetery, Clyde river and Sealy’s Store (for morning tea if you wish)
12.30 Return to Ratho
1.00 Lunch (at Ratho)
2-5pm Optional 1-1 sessions (need to register): spiritual direction/mentoring, life coaching or reflections in the environment; AND/OR
Quiet time for rest, reflection or alternate activity (art/craft, walking, golf, rest)
6.00 Whole group evening gathering - share, listen, reflect: what do you notice rising up in you from today? Share in pairs, then share into the group.
7pm Cheese platter/drinks, socialising
9 pm Evening Pause (Selah) – a time for quiet reflection
Included Meals:
9.00 Pack up rooms/luggage
9.30 Whole Group morning gathering: Checking our balance: what we take home with us.
11am Depart Ratho Farm
Included Meals:
Highlights
- Exclusive use of Ratho Farm a a beautiful, colonial heritage property in a rural setting on the edge of Bothwell about 1 hour from Hobart, Tasmania
- Reflections in Environment with Peter Grant
- Spiritual direction sessions with Lynne or Rosanne
- Coaching with Paul Arnott
- A mixture of group sessions and 1-1 sessions or private reflection time
About Ratho Farm, Bothwell, Tasmania
Our stay will be a beautiful, colonial heritage property in a rural setting on the edge of Bothwell about 1 hour from Hobart, Tasmania. Our accommodation will be in restored farm buildings with modern comforts and original finishes. The Homestead is surrounded by beautiful gardens, an 18-hole golf course (reputed to be Australia’s oldest) and countryside walks by the Clyde River.
Accommodation will be either Single or Twin/Double. All rooms have ensuites.
