Spirituality: a place to be still 

Space – for the possibility of seeing things from a different perspective.
Quotes from our guests

The Holy Rood Community is rooted in a gentle Christian ethos.  We are inspired by the wisdom of Jesus and his teachings about love and justice and we are open to different interpretations of how this might influence our lives.  We are open to questions, about the nature of God or the Divine, exploring possibilities which are beyond the usual binary imagery, challenging many of the dominant messages we receive in church.  When we pray, we create a space where we hope that people of all faiths and none will know they are welcome and of unique value.

We sing of a hope that is flourishing in us,
shaping our lives into all they might be;
delighting in art and in music and laughter,
the God of creation in joy sets us free.
Jan Berry, from a hymn written for Holy Rood House

Each day at Holy Rood is held within a rhythm of prayer, for members of the Community and for guests, if they would like to join in.  Using gentle words, music and silence, we allow ourselves to begin and end each day in a loving presence.


Cross-Peace by Elaine Wisdom, inspired by the North York Moors crosses

We look for the imprint of the Divine within the natural beauty of the landscape and wildlife and we make good use of all the beautiful spaces here.

Our main chapel is used for morning and evening prayer during the week and by groups at weekends.  It is a versatile room which opens onto the gardens so there is no division between the sacred and the natural world.

Space – where my only responsibility was TO BE.
Quotes from our guests

Within the Quiet garden to the side of Holy Rood House is a very small room called the Chapel of Sophia.  This is where people can find a peaceful space, often undisturbed, for meditation and quiet prayer or reading.

Part of our particular understanding of spirituality is that we are all connected to one another and our environment.  We take our responsibility for the earth’s resources seriously and we care for one another, in community and in the wider world.

Stanley Baxter, one of our founder members, used to say that “healing is always a justice issue”. We continue to do whatever we can to break down prejudice and fear and bring about greater equality and justice.

We pause in the middle of each week to pray for justice and peace in the world.
a feeling of belonging immediately you set foot into Holy Rood…
Quotes from our guests

Set among the trees in our garden is a simple labyrinth which guests may choose to walk during their stay.

Labyrinths offer the opportunity to walk in meditation 
to that place within us where the rational merges with the intuitive 
and the spiritual is reborn.
Quotes from our guests

The idea of the labyrinth goes back into our ancient traditions and allows us the opportunity to become pilgrims, together or alone, to walk without being attached to our destination.  We follow a route which seems to take us round in circles, we find ourselves in the centre, perhaps, and journey back to where we began.  There are no rules, just an invitation to enter the journey.

For some people the labyrinth mirrors the experience of a retreat, or the journey of healing.  We might feel like we are getting nowhere – it can seem like a waste of time – and yet, there are moments when our perspective changes and our insights deepen.

There is also a finger labyrinth In the Sophia Chapel, an invitation to journey without needing to walk.


 

The labyrinth is like my life; 
when I feel like I’m near my goal, another twist and I’ve moved further away.  
Perhaps it’s right that I don’t need to rush to get to the centre;
then I would have missed the point of the journey.
Quotes from our guests