We Who Sing, Pray Twice

WHIRLOW SPIRITUALITY CENTRE

Whirlow Spirituality Centre is a place to be still, find rest and meet with God.

Its hidden chapel, set in a peaceful garden on the edge of the Peak District, welcomes individuals, groups and churches. Slow down, relax, learn and play. Explore your spirituality through prayer, reflection and resourcing from the Christian tradition.

The centre provides a safe space for people to connect with God, themselves and others on the same jour-ney. We offer Whirlow Spirituality Centre at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit as a sanctuary along with resources and people to support those searching, exploring and journeying on the road to who they are meant to be in God.

We offer the opportunity to slow down, reflect, reLax, learn and play. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit provides a beautiful context for prayer, reflection and worship.

"Join us for …
Space To Be self-directed meditation
each Sunday morning 8.30 am to 9.15am Reflective Communion each Tuesday at 9.45am
3rd Sunday at 7pm
Reflective Worship
1st Sunday of the month at 7pm“

Starting with a gentle body and voice warm-up and some simple rounds, we
move on to learn songs and chants in four- part harmony.
We appreciate that some people will be unfamiliar with this type of singing – or
with any type of singing! – so we help you find the part that best suits your voice, whether you sing high, middle or low.
Songs are learnt by ear, with simple hand movements as a guide – no musical
experience is needed.
After a break for refreshments, we return to sing the songs in a more contemplative atmosphere. Someone will lead each part, so no-one is on their own.

The focus of the session is singing the songs together…we become immersed in the harmonies and the words, and the “dazzling silence” that can follow offers a way into stillness, to prayer or meditation.
We sing songs from a variety of sources such as the Taize community in France, Wild Goose/Iona Community and others from the Judeo-Christian tradition.
All are welcome: all those seeking to open themselves to God, or to find or deepen their experience of God; churchgoers and non-churchgoers, Christians and non-Christians alike.

ABOUT THE GROUP

Gill Greenwood has trained as a natural voice singing practitioner and is a member
of the Contemplative Fire Community.

Nick Cocking has sung in music groups at a number of churches, most recently at
Christ Church, Pitsmoor.

David Beddow enjoys working with the St Clement’s Church Choir in Horsley, Derby-
shire.

Linda Batten has enjoyed We Who Sing evenings for the past 4 years and, as a
Quaker, found them peaceful, fulfilling and uplifting. She also enjoys teaching
singing.

Gill Upham has been coming to the Whirlow evenings since 2013 and they have become an essential element of her spiritual wellbe- ing. Gill sings with a natural voice choir.

Mark Strong writes sacred songs and teaches singing in the natural voice tradition