| Thank you for allowing me to be a volunteer at Sheldon. I've really enjoyed being here as part of the team. Thank you as well for all that Sheldon has become for [my husband] and me. I found it very special and moving being present on Thursday morning when it was "our turn" to be prayed for. We do very much appreciate the faithful prayer ministry that you continue here, day by day, week by week. We will also continue to pray regularly for you. And of course we will continue to tell others in ministry about Sheldon and the very special place it is. May God's love continue to enable you - as individuals and as the precious community that is Sheldon. |
| Dear Community. Just a note to say thank you for a great work-week. In spite of the hot and sweaty weather and the work schedule it was just the relaxation I needed! And a real pleasure to be at Sheldon and to help (I hope) with keeping it going. ... Many thanks to you all. |
~ I could work at my own pace.
~ Varied jobs - so not boring or monotonous.
~ Good company.
~ Everyone pulling together.
~ Excellent and varied food. |
~ There was clarity about what we had to do but no pressure.
~ There were frequent and regular proper breaks which gave a sense of rhythm to the day: - work/socialising/rest
~ There was a general atmosphere of peacefulness and friendliness, but without it being overly intense or oppressive.
~ The food was excellent - interesting, varied, wholesome. |
~ Hospitable and welcoming
~ Stuff to do etc
Pound House a bit stuffy and hot at night. Table top fan might be a help to warm blooded folk like me. |
~ of the friendly acceptance of all, whoever and whatever we are
~ of the quiet time of reflection and prayer at the beginning and ending of each day - the work was good too!
My stay might have been more helpful if there had been a list of those involved in the work week. This would have helped those of us who have a poor memory of names!!
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| ... The predictability of the quality of the food and the warmth of the welcome (and the calm of morning prayer and compline). The unpredictability of the weather, and what task we would be asked to accomplish next. |
~ working in someone else's garden
~ walking
~ baking
~ totally accepting ministry of community
~ chance to escape from 'living above the shop'
~ Eucharist and blessing of fields
~ space
My stay might have been more helpful/enjoyable/productive if ...
getting used to narrow/firm beds/early rising/early to bed. A BBQ/musical evening.
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... of the friendliness and cheerfulness of the community and the relaxed atmosphere. Everything proceeded with quiet efficiency. The guests were OK too! Fat Pigeon bar a great asset! Food excellent. Carl's cheerful humour and his care of the members of the community.
Being new to work week, it would have been helpful to have had some suggestions as to clothing, footwear, equipment to bring along included in the paperwork of the invitation. Some proper coffee - the Traidcraft instant is awful. I could have spent the week sorting out the workshop! |
| Mally Yates - article for Newsletter about 2005 Summer Work Week |
... please be assured that my body feels amazingly unstiff and exceptionally healthy today, which I'm actually rather surprised, and extremely pleased, about. I would like you to know that I most certainly received far more than I gave. I really appreciated the trust and the time to be alone, as well as the social time meeting some lovely people. As the day progressed and I worked, sang and meditated along the way, something very profound was going on beneath the surface. Although from the outset I knew that for me the volunteering wasn't just about wanting to do gardening or being helpful to you, I was affected more deeply by being at Sheldon than I had anticipated. I'm sure you get testimonials of this sort all the time about the energy and spirit of the actual place, and people saying things like "it felt like coming home", well I had all of that and something more - very personal for me at this particular time. I would say it was especially a homecoming to part of myself that has been somewhat neglected and/or temporarily lost, so I'm left with a feeling of bereavement each time I recall the day now and so I am longing to return - both to Sheldon and to my mislaid self . It was especiallty significant that it was Easter Saturday. I will, of course, be working on how to revisit myself in the same full sense without being physically present at Sheldon but... Meanwhile, on a far more superficial level - I really did love being and working there and inevitably, have formed a bit of an attachment to the garden/s already! I'd like to know if you could make more use of me. |
| It was lovely to hear from you and thank you for your 'care' of us during the week. I'm glad the feedback from the visitors was good, we certainly enjoyed looking after and talking to so many interesting people. We came home feeling invigorated by our week. We enjoyed much of the work and were so interested to experience the workings of a really efficient kitchen. I was pleased to see Sheldon for myself, [my husband] having spoken about it so much. We loved the beauty and peace of the Chapel and so much appreciated the opportunity of worshipping twice a day with the community. The countryside was looking beautiful and one afternon the sun just caught the top of the hill opposite Sheldon and it was transformed. Love from us both. |
