Hospitality Ministry at Ham Common UK Text

Community of the Sisters of the Church

An international body of women within the Anglican Communion

UK: Hospitality Ministry at Ham | Programme

Hospitality Ministry at St. Michael’s Convent

St Michael’s Convent is part of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, a worldwide Anglican religious order with ministries as far afield as the Solomon Islands, Australia and Canada - besides those in the UK.

Hospitality is an important part of our ministry and we are building on our commitment to this aspect of our work. We are increasing space for group and team meetings, and improving access to spiritual accompaniment. We are committed to renewing interest in the religious life through development of an already successful Alongsider programme.

Our history is associated with education and social work. Today many who come here for a time of quiet reflection are themselves involved in outreach to others. We welcome groups and individuals of any faith or none. Our convent home offers space in which to rest and re-charge the spirit, find new directions or maybe confirm a present path. Pleasantly situated on Ham Common, close to the River Thames and Richmond Park, we think you will find this an ideal location for retreat and reflection. We are easy to get to as travel connections from London are good. Come and enjoy some God time!

We welcome individual guests by the day and residentially and small residential groups of between 3 and 8 people.

We have three meeting spaces for day groups: a large room for groups of up to 25, a room for groups of up to 14, and a room for groups of up to 8.

We also offer a varied programme of events including retreats and workshops. A Programme leaflet is available to download by clicking here.

Guests

A place for retreat and reflection. Our guest area is integral to our convent home, creating an atmosphere which is relaxed, quiet and comfortable. We hope that your stay with us will offer an opportunity to step back from the rush of life into a place of reflection and prayer. You are welcome to join us in our daily journey of worship and to enjoy our chapel, library and extensive garden.

Spiritual accompaniment (sometimes called spiritual direction). This is an important part of our ministry and we now have available more spiritual directors. Spiritual accompaniment is offered subject to reasonable notice and an appropriate person being available. We find that those coming for spiritual direction usually offer something between £10 and £30 per session depending on their means.

Household details. Most of our meals are taken in silence. Bedrooms are simply and comfortably furnished. Each has a wash hand basin. Bathroom and kitchenette facilities are located on guest corridors. The house is centrally heated. We are pleased to cater for vegetarian and special diets provided that we are given advanced notice. Residential guests are asked to bring with them their own towel and soap; this helps us to keep costs down.

Suggested donation for guests.

£15 for the day with a meal

£10 for the day without a meal

£35 for 24 hours (residential guests)

Those who are unable to pay this amount may apply to be helped by a bursary fund resourced by those who are able to pay more - please contact the Hospitality Office. Additional donations for the Community’s work are always welcome!

Small Residential Groups

We are pleased to welcome small residential groups wishing to make a retreat. Our house is popular with cell groups and parish teams seeking a few days of reflection and renewal. A good group-size for us is between 3 and 8. A separate room is made available as a meeting space.

Suggested donation for small residential groups.

£35 for 24 hours for each person, and, £20 per day for use of a meeting room.

Groups

Large meeting space. Overlooking our garden, this is a pleasant location for a group gathering (20 in-the-round/25 lecture style). This meeting space is on the first floor and comprises two rooms: a main meeting room and an adjoining and smaller sitting room. This area provides a place of communion and prayer for parishes and faith groups, and, NGOs and similar organizations find this a good space for meetings and training.

The main meeting room incorporates a kitchenette which includes a small fridge, a washing-up area and tea & coffee making facilities. Also available in the main meeting room: a white board, flip-charts, and an overhead projector and screen. In the smaller room there is a TV, video and DVD. Toilet facilities are adjacent to the meeting space.

Medium meeting room. In the heart of the convent and with easy access to the garden, this ground floor room offers a congenial space for groups of up to 14. This room is ideal for parish team meetings, cell groups and those wishing to meet for a quiet day. Available in this room: tea & coffee making facilities, white board, flip-chart and pens. Toilet facilities are close by.

Small meeting room. With a lovely view over Ham Common and situated on the second floor of the original, Georgian house, this room offers space for a group of up to 8. Light and spacious, this is a good room for conversation and for quiet. Available in this room: tea & coffee making facilities. Toilet facilities are on the first and ground floor. Access is only by stairs.

Suggested donation for day groups.

Large meeting space: £80 per day: includes a non-refundable deposit of £20.

Medium meeting room: £50 per day: includes non-refundable deposit of £10

Small meeting room: £25 per day: includes a non-refundable deposit of £10.

Your donation covers the booking fee and tea & coffee. Day groups are asked to bring a packed lunch with them. If the Chapel or any other room is reserved for your use in addition to your meeting space we ask that a further donation of £20 be made. If a Sister of the Community leads your group we ask you to make a donation of at least £30 in addition to the booking fee.

Cheques. Payable to the ‘Church Extension Association’.

Access. For those who need it, a small lift gives access to the guest area and the large meeting room on the first floor. Two external doors are ramped. Wheelchair access in the house is limited.

When we are open and closed. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to accommodate Guests or Groups on Mondays (though an exception is made for a longer retreat). Weekend guests normally leave by 3pm on Sunday. There are also times of the year when we are closed: usually the first part of January, after Easter, and part of August.

How to Contact Us

Enquiries and bookings may be made by telephone between 9 am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday, or, by email by clicking here.

St. Michael’s Convent

56 Ham Common

Richmond, Surrey

TW10 7JH

020 8940 8711 ext 102

For further details relating to our ministry of hospitality, please contact us by clicking here.

How to Find Us

By Public Transport from Central London

District Line (London Underground) or train (from Waterloo or by the North London Line) to Richmond Station then Bus No. 65.

From Richmond

Bus No. 65 (towards Kingston) from outside Richmond station to Ham Gate Avenue. Takes about 15 minutes and costs £2 (less with a Travel or Oyster card). There is also a taxi rank at Richmond Station: approximate cost to convent is £6-£8

From Kingston

Bus No. 65 (towards Ealing Broadway or Brentford) from the centre of Kingston to Ham Gate Avenue. Takes about 10 minutes and costs £2 (less with a Travel or Oyster card).

By Car

We are on the A307 between Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames. We have good parking.