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A Haven of Peace, a Piece of Heaven
The Bield at Blackruthven
Retreat and Conference Centre

The Bield Blog
Our blog is written by members of the Pastoral Team, reflecting on various experiences at the Bield and their spiritual significance. If you would like to recieve notifications of new blog posts, them please subscribe at the bottom of this page.


A Spirit of Presence
Over the past several months, I have been reminded of the importance and simplicity of presence. It is the essence of the Bield, whether...

Bield at Blackruthven
2 days ago2 min read
126 views


Being with the resurected Jesus
Wandering through the Bield grounds today, I paused to gaze at the empty cross made more visible through the trees by the draping of the...

Bield at Blackruthven
May 62 min read
33 views


Journeying through...
The month of April has begun in spectacular style at the Bield. The many coloured flowers in the walled garden and the planters have...

Bield at Blackruthven
Apr 82 min read
165 views


Time to dance again with the daffodils
Small yellow daffodils have emerged at the foot of our cross, the carpets of snowdrops are beginning to fade away, dead looking branches...

Bield at Blackruthven
Mar 133 min read
120 views


Be still and know that I am God
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 There is something very special and very sacred about silence. As an extrovert, I never...

Bield at Blackruthven
Feb 192 min read
84 views


Arise and Shine
“ Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you ” Isaiah 60:1 As I start to emerge from the advent...

Bield at Blackruthven
Jan 102 min read
116 views


We grow accustomed to the dark
We grow accustomed to the Dark - When Light is put away - As when the Neighbour holds the Lamp To witness her Goodbye - A Moment - We...

Bield at Blackruthven
Dec 3, 20242 min read
205 views


Invited by Sunlight
The garden today is covered in fallen leaves, yellow, golden brown and red carpeting, with such a colourful pattern, the still green...

Bield at Blackruthven
Nov 7, 20242 min read
167 views


Nature as Prescription
The title of this blog is the name of a project being rolled out by WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) in their ITV television campaign....

Bield at Blackruthven
Oct 9, 20242 min read
139 views


Embodying Joy
“To lust for joy is to lust for the God of life. To make joy where at first it seems there is none is to become co-creator with the God...

Bield at Blackruthven
Sep 3, 20242 min read
173 views


Fruit of the vine - AND the work of human hands
It may not have felt like much of a summer, with many rainy days and only a few bright sunny ones. However here at the Bield we have...

Bield at Blackruthven
Aug 6, 20242 min read
170 views


Encounter with the Woman at the Well- the Retreat Association Icon
This month at the Bield, we are blessed with the gift of the Retreat Association Icon residing with us. We are welcoming guests and day...

Bield at Blackruthven
Jul 3, 20243 min read
212 views


Come like little children
The photo shows the latest addition to the grounds of the retreat centre- the Japanese Garden- lovingly designed and developed by the...

Bield at Blackruthven
Jun 11, 20242 min read
168 views


Our Beautiful Magnolia Tree...
Blossoming flowers, emerging buds, growing grasses – springtime is a wonderful, colourful time, lifting our spirits in celebration of the...

Bield at Blackruthven
May 2, 20242 min read
196 views


Beauty in not knowing?
Having spent the last three Easter weekends at the Bield, it felt a little strange this year to not be here. The Bield closed to guests...

Bield at Blackruthven
Apr 3, 20242 min read
297 views


The feast of St Felicity and St Perpetua
In our morning chapel service last week, we celebrated the feast day of St Felicity and St Perpetua, two young African women from...

Bield at Blackruthven
Mar 12, 20242 min read
219 views


Remaining in the Space Between
As this season of Winter draws to a close and we wait for the coming Spring, we are faced with the challenge of staying in the present...

Bield at Blackruthven
Jan 30, 20242 min read
215 views


The God Star
Happy new year from all of us at the Bield! One of the things I love about this time of year is the stars. The darkness of January can...

Bield at Blackruthven
Jan 16, 20242 min read
156 views


Be Still and know that I am God
All too quickly it seems autumn has ended, and winter is here. The last few leaves have fallen and look like jewelled ornaments, with...

Bield at Blackruthven
Dec 5, 20232 min read
180 views


Sounding The Bell
“From the rising of the sun, to the place where it sets, the Name of the lord is to be praised “ Psalm 113:3 On a recent visit to a...

Bield at Blackruthven
Nov 9, 20233 min read
197 views
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