Clergy Gather for Advent Day of Recollection

Thirty clergy from across the Diocese of East Anglia — both priests and deacons — gathered at Clare Priory on Tuesday 2 December for a Day of Recollection marking the beginning of Advent. Hosted 

Hosted by the Augustinian community at Clare, the day was led by the Rt Rev Alan Williams, Bishop of Brentwood, who guided participants through a period of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

Bishop Alan invited the clergy to step back from the demands and pace of parish life to consider afresh the meaning of the adventus Domini — the coming of the Lord — in their own lives this year. He reflected on the diversity of ministries and personalities present, noting that despite many differences, one truth was held in common: each person carries within them a space that only Christ can fill.

During a later session, Bishop Alan offered a reflection on Mary’s interior life. He highlighted the Greek verb used in the Gospels, often translated as “treasured” or “pondered” — a word that can also be rendered as “juggled.” Mary, he explained, “juggled” the many events unfolding around her, yet in the midst of that movement and uncertainty, she discovered a deep stability and stillness rooted in God’s presence.

The quiet atmosphere of Clare Priory — one of the earliest Augustinian foundations in England and a long-standing place of retreat — provided a fitting environment for clergy to pray, rest, and reconnect with the heart of their vocation as Advent begins.

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