via zoom: Syncletica, Desert Mother with Jill Renison, Wednesday 21 April, 10.30am to 12 midday

We’ve all heard of the Desert Fathers, but the sayings of the Desert Mothers remain, on the whole, forgotten, unquoted and unexplored.

Joins us as we examine the life of the most prominent Desert Mother, Amma Syncletica of Alexandria. Leaving behind a life which offered wealth and luxury, she sold all her family’s possessions and gave the money to the poor. She retreated to the desert and lived the life of an ascetic. There she attracted disciples whom she formed in the spiritual life.

We’ll look briefly at the phenomenon of desert spirituality in general and then consider life for women in the desert. We’ll explore some of Amma Syncletica’s sayings and consider their relevance for us today. Repentance and compunction, prayer and stillness, perseverance in coming to know God better, spiritual growth, silence and meditation are common concerns of the Desert Mothers. Syncletica’s sayings abound in pithy statements drawn from real life and are marked by a common sense that she shares with other great female saints.

We invite you to read and reflect on these Sayings of Amma Syncletica prior to the session.  Also to view the Map of the Desert of Egypt, Palestine and Sinai.

Jill Renison is Associate Priest at St John’s Anglican Church in Camberwell. Most of her professional life has been spent teaching in the Catholic education system. She surprised her friends (and herself) by seeking ordination soon after an early retirement. She is a trained spiritual director and an oblate of St Mark’s Benedictine Abbey, Camperdown.

Please book for the April Spiritual Reading group using the form below and pay via bank transfer.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99533381771?pwd=L2tPMnhNY25MWHh3VXFkMWhselZrZz09

Meeting ID: 995 3338 1771
Passcode: 587767

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The monthly Spiritual Reading Group continues on zoom for the first half of 2021 on the third Wednesday of each month, from 10.30am to 12 midday. These sessions are facilitated either by Philip Harvey, the Carmelite Librarian or by Susan Frykberg, the convenor of the group. All are welcome to join the zoom session.

The sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month, 10.30am to 12 midday. Please note the change in DAY and TIME from previous years.

19 May Details coming soon

16 June Carol O’Connor on The Poetic World of R.S. Thomas