Reimagining the Divine in a Changing World

A Retreat with

Thomas Jay Oord & Anna Robinson
Launde Abbey, Leicestershire, UK

In an age of shifting faith, this retreat offers sacred space to explore what it means to believe, belong, and become anew. Together, we’ll weave theological conversation with contemplative practice, open-hearted reflection, and honest dialogue.

Rooted in the rich soil of Open and Relational Theology, this gathering invites you to imagine a God that is dynamic, responsive, and deeply loving—a God that is not distant or controlling, but participates with us in the unfolding of creation.

Here, there is room for both wonder and doubt, mystery and clarity, silence and laughter. We’ll journey as companions — theologians, seekers, wanderers, and questioners — each bringing our stories to the shared table of divine exploration.

Who is this retreat for?

Nomads. Sojourners. Spiritual Seekers.

Those who may find themselves in the wilderness and liminal spaces.
Those on a journey from certainty to mystery and unknowing.
Those searching for deeper meaning and connection with themselves, the Divine and with others.
Those who believe love is still central to it all.
Those who want a more inclusive spirituality rooted in the Christian tradition and open to other wisdom traditions.

What to Expect

Morning and afternoon Gatherings: Thought-provoking sessions with Thomas Jay Oord exploring love, divine power, and the open future of God.
Contemplative Practices: Guided meditations, silent reflection, and gentle body-based practices led by Anna Robinson, drawing from Celtic, Christian, Contemplative and nature-based spirituality.
Evening Reflection: Discussions and contemplative practices where theology meets lived experience - exploring questions like:
What does God’s love look like after certainty falls away? Who is God to me now? How do we hold faith and freedom together?
Rest and Renewal: Time to wander Launde Abbey’s grounds, enjoy the woodland, walk the labyrinth, journal in the medieval chapel, and savour nourishing, locally grown food.
Community and Connection: A small, inclusive group where your story, voice, and questions are welcomed with compassion and respect.

What You’ll Take Away

Inspiration: New ways to understand divine love, freedom, and relationship.
Deepened Inner Grounding: Practices of stillness and attentiveness that help you listen to the sacred within and around you.
Language for Evolving Faith: Theological and contemplative frameworks to name what you’ve experienced in your journey of deconstruction and reimagining.
A Sense of Belonging: Connection with others navigating similar paths - a reminder that you’re not alone.
Tools for Integration: Journaling prompts, reflective exercises, and spiritual practices you can continue at home.

Voices from Previous LiveLightDwellDeep Retreats

“A wonderful, nourishing, nurturing space to come as you are, explore life, spirituality and faith in an open ended hospitable way. To bring yourself, your experiences , your doubts into a safe space” Caroline

“An inclusive, warm, welcoming space to come and be. To let your soul emerge as your mind rests a little. A place to reconnect with yourself and feast off the wisdom shared by others as they also spend time in reconnection” Amy

"An enabling and safe space to explore shifting perspectives in faith and life"

“A time for encouragement, reflection and opportunity for exploration and growth” Barbara

“A nonjudgmental safe sharing of the faith journey for those who are questioning and exploring… who may have once been sure about what they believe but now find themselves not so sure.” Mary

“ A very safe space to be authentic and explore your journey in faith and life” Terry

“Meeting with a group of people who are safe in a wonderful place to talk, discuss, be challenged, find a place of depth.” Chris

“Very accepting and welcoming, wherever you are on your journey of faith” Karen

About the Hosts

**Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D.**

A theologian, philosopher, and author, Dr Oord is Director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology. His work explores the nature of divine love, the problem of suffering, and how freedom and relationship shape transformation.

“Just as we will never grasp the full meaning of God, we will also never grasp the full meaning of love.”

― Thomas Jay Oord, The Nature of Love: A Theology

I believe new and better way of thinking are possible. We learn new information in other domains of life and propose new theories. Why not so with theology? No one can figure out God fully, but I think we can make progress. Tradionalists often don’t realise that past Christians constructed their theologies in response to the concerns of their day. And they were shaped by the science and philosophy of their times. I think the gospel of love is always in need of reformulating in light of fresh insights. The task of theology is ongoing” Interview with Simon Cross, Chair of PCN Brain (Progressive Christian Network)

“A God worthy of our worship cannot be Someone who causes, supports or allows genuine evil. In fact, I believe it is impossible to worship wholeheartedly a God who loves halfheartedly. We might fear a God who helps sometimes but other times chooses not to, but we cannot admire this God unreservedly.”

― Thomas Jay Oord, The Uncontrolling Love of God: An Open and Relational Account of Providence

“The God who could prevent any genuine evil unilaterally is responsible for allowing genuine evil. The one who could stop genuine evil by restraining the perpetrator of evil is morally responsible—or better, culpable—for permitting the painful consequences. We don’t consider morally exemplary those who fail to intervene to prevent horrific events and atrocities, if such prevention were possible.”

― Thomas Jay Oord, The Uncontrolling Love of God: An Open and Relational Account of Providence

**Anna Robinson**

Writer, retreat leader, and host with *Nomad Podcast*, Anna is the founder of *LiveLight DwellDeep*. Her work explores the evolving landscape of faith through contemplative and Celtic Christian traditions. She creates spaces for reflection, silence, and conversation where the sacred is rediscovered in everyday life.

“Anna provides a safe place to be honest and open about your deconstruction/place where you now find yourself on your faith journey. She refers to the mystics for wisdom and openly share aspects of her own journey and resources she has found helpful. She creates a warm and caring space to be open with others who find themselves in a similar place” Chris

“Anna is like an anchor, a non- judgemental guide. She holds you, sees you, hears you and enables you.” Jane

About Open and Relational Theology?

Open and Relational Theology begins with this simple, radical claim: God is love — not controlling or coercive, but inviting, responsive, and relational.
In this view, the future is open, shaped by our choices and God’s loving partnership with creation. Every act of love participates in the divine story unfolding.

Launde Abbey

Launde Abbey History
A historic Augustinian retreat centre surrounded by rolling hills and gardens. The Abbey offers peaceful accommodation, a medieval chapel, and locally sourced meals from its walled garden. Guests are welcome to join the community’s rhythm of prayer—Morning, Midday, and Evening.