Programme – New Hilfield Website

01300 341345 hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk

The Friary, Hilfield, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BE

Donate Registered Charity Number 236464

2021 Programme

Introduction by Br Clark

A hundred years is a significant milestone. It marks an achievement of the Holy Spirit at work among us for many years of prayer and ministry, and our willingness to collaborate in that work on this beautiful piece of land.

The Hilfield Community has changed a lot over the years, its ministry adapting to the needs of the times.

Concern for the poor is at the heart of our life and ministry. For many years we worked with wayfarers, now we are addressing the need for climate justice.

The Earth is now, in Franciscan language, one of the poor. Eco-justice is social justice. Gouged, rubbished, stained and ignored the earth has reached a breaking point.

To be effective advocates we must love her. At all times this Franciscan home has sought to share the joy of Gospel life, bringing encouragement to others and giving thanks to God for God’s goodness. The Divine Office has been prayed without interruption these 100 years, and the Eucharist has been a stable point in the sometimes-disorienting press of people, and their different needs. The coming together at meals has proved to be one of the most effective ways of experiencing that new way of living Jesus brings to us. The dining table bridges nature out of doors and our human needs and consumption.

Classically, St Francis is celebrated for his love of nature. This Centennial year we deepen our embrace of the earth with joy but also lament. We are facing a climate crisis that demands urgent attention. We invite you to join us, in learning about the environment, to consider the lilies (and orchids) of the field and the birds of the air, to consider nature with wonder and awe during the many opportunities we provide this year. We also invite you to express that love with passion and commitment, looking for ways to live more sustainably yourself, to show others how it can be done, and to challenge the government and other leaders to legislate for and build a sustainable, carbon neutral world.

Members of the community will be in Glasgow for COP26, and we are planning a weekend to reflect on our response to the conference. Simplicity, humility, reverence and commitment are the qualities we wish to celebrate in this Centennial year. Humility, love and joy are the hallmarks of our Franciscan life.

The Franciscan experiment in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion has witnessed a deeply relational spirituality: we are all part of one another—the human family, the animals, insects, plants and even the minerals. We want this Centennial year to be a time when we can celebrate with you and to build for a resilient, fruitful future. Appropriately, our programme year begins with quiet reflection and prayer.

Climate Justice Reflection Day

Saturday 4th December

The Climate Justice Reflection Day is facilitated by Jonathan Herbert.

The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This day will be an opportunity to hear reflections of the Conference from a range of those who were there in a variety of capacities including:

Jonathan from Hilfield Friary who was there as part of Christian Climate Action maintaining a presence of prayerful protest
Br Clark SSF, our Guardian, who was there as part of the Franciscans International delegation lobbying inside the conference
Andy Lester, Head of Conservation A Rocha UK who had an exhibition space inside the conference.

The day will feature their report back, a panel discussion, Eucharist, and lunch.

Suggested donation £25 to include lunch.

Day finishes at 5.30pm.

Guilt-free crafting time

Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th December

A time to come together away from the all the craziness of the season to relax and have time to craft. Expect good company and fun in cosy surroundings providing a relaxing time to finish all those pesky craft projects you have been meaning to finish or have a go at something new. Facilitated by Suzi but come and share your own crafty passions with like- minded crafters!

For more information and booking please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk

Suggested donation £230 to include materials, meals and accommodation.

If you would like to stay on the Tuesday night preceding the event a further donation of £45 per night is suggested making a 5 night stay £275.

Arrivals from 4pm Wednesday 8th. Course starts at 6pm.

Course finishes at 12pm on Sunday 12th. Please talk to Suzi about staying for lunch.

100 Oaks for 100 Years

Saturday 18th December

2021 is the centenary of Hilfield Friary. What better way to mark such a significant event in the life of an organisation than doing something that will have a positive impact for the next 100 years and beyond? That’s why we are planting ‘100 Oaks for 100 Years’. The trees will be planted as part of our new wood pasture. This is a very valuable habitat, home to many special species. In 100 years it will begin to mature, our gift to 2121!

We have invited 100 groups and individuals who represent something of the past 100 hundred or next 100 years at Hilfield to come and plant one of our centenary oaks.

Come and help us to celebrate on Saturday 18th December. The day will start at 11am with a Centenary Service. There will be food, entertainment and an opportunity for everyone to share their stories of the Friary whilst planting and blessing the trees.

Join us for all or part of the day. No need to book. Check for updates to the day on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HilfieldFriary and the Hilfield website Home page http://www.hilfieldfriary.org.uk/ or contact Suzi on 01300 341345 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you!! For more information, booking and if you would like to stay for the weekend please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk

Christmas at the Friary

Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th December

Be a part of our Friary Family away from the craziness and consumerism of the ‘normal’ world before Christmas. Join us as we prepare and await the Birth of the Christ Child in the beautiful surroundings of Hilfield.

The programme will hopefully be sent out the week before Christmas so that you can choose which activities you would like to be involved with.

For more information and booking please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk

Suggested donation £240 to include all meals and accommodation.

Arrivals from 4pm Thursday 23rd.

Programme finishes at 12pm on Monday 27th. Please talk to Suzi about staying for lunch.