Nourish & Flourish Retreat with the Open Sanctuary

The Community of the Open Sanctuary

Nourish & Flourish

Retreat and Ordination Ceremony 2026

St Mary's, Perth | 28–30 September 2026

by Reverend Angela Maughan

We are delighted to announce the details of this year's Community of the Open Sanctuary Retreat and Ordination Ceremony, taking place at St Mary's, Perth, from 28th to 30th September 2026.

Our theme for this year's gathering is Nourish & Flourish — an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly sustains us. In the midst of busy lives and the many ways we serve others, this retreat offers an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and return to ourselves with gentleness and compassion.

These three days have been thoughtfully designed as a nurturing space for rest, renewal, and connection. Together, we will explore how nourishing our inner lives strengthens our relationships, deepens our spiritual practice, and enriches our sense of community. When we give ourselves permission to pause, we often rediscover the quiet wisdom that has been waiting patiently within us all along.

Ministers' CPD

Before the retreat begins, we will gather for our annual Ministers' Continuing Professional Development Session on Monday 28th September from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. This session is open to all members who would like to attend.

We are pleased to welcome Simone from So Feng Shui, who will introduce us to the principles of Feng Shui and explore how our homes and personal spaces can support greater balance, harmony, and wellbeing in our daily lives.

The Retreat

The retreat will commence at 3.00 pm on Monday 28th September, with arrivals from 2.45 pm, allowing time to settle into the space and begin our time together gently.

We are deeply honoured to welcome Karen Redpath as our retreat facilitator.

Karen is a Transformational Mindset, Embodiment, and Soul-Alignment Coach whose work spans more than forty years across nursing, leadership, training, and holistic practice. Her unique approach blends grounded professional expertise with intuitive insight, creating supportive spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, release limiting patterns, and move towards greater authenticity and alignment.

As a certified Silent Counselling Practitioner and Global Trainer, cacao ceremonialist, and experienced facilitator, Karen brings together embodiment practices, breathwork, energy work, and ritual to create experiences that are both deeply grounding and gently transformative. Her work reflects a profound belief in the power of intentional community and the healing that can emerge when people feel truly seen, witnessed, and supported.

Throughout the retreat, Karen will guide us through experiences designed to encourage reflection, restoration, and personal growth, creating opportunities for both individual insight and shared connection.

A Creative Pause

On Tuesday afternoon, we will also be joined by Audrey from The Potting Shed, who will lead a creative workshop decorating artificial candles. This gentle and mindful activity offers a chance to slow down, express creativity, and enjoy a moment of quiet grounding within the wider retreat experience.

Ordination Ceremony

Our time together will culminate in the Ordination Ceremony on Wednesday 30th September.

We will have private use of the Oratory throughout Wednesday morning until 11.30 am, and ministers are kindly reminded to bring their gowns and stoles for the ceremony.

Departure will be at 12.00 noon following the conclusion of our celebrations.

An Invitation

We hope you can begin to imagine what these days may offer: a safe and welcoming space where you can rest, reflect, create, connect, and grow.

Whether you arrive seeking stillness, inspiration, community, or renewal, our hope is that you leave feeling nourished, uplifted, and more deeply connected to yourself and others.

We hope that your creativity is rekindled, your spiritual connection strengthened, and your sense of belonging within our community renewed.

When we nourish ourselves, we nourish those around us.

When we flourish individually, we flourish together.

We look forward to sharing this special time with you.

With warmest wishes,

The Community of the Open Sanctuary 🌿