THE RETREAT MAY HAVE ENDED.
THE INVITATION CONTINUES.
The Simple Life was never meant to stay at Hay’s Wood.
As you return to everyday rhythms, take a few minutes to reflect on your experience — what served you, what God showed you, and what you’re carrying forward.
Your feedback will also help us shape future Acts retreats with the same care and intention.
Leave lighter. Carry what matters. Return with intention.
13 - 16
AUGUST
HAYS WOOD
RETREAT CENTRE
Come away and rest.Life rarely slows down on its own.
For four days we'll intentionally slow the pace.
The Simple Life isn't about filling every hour with activity. It's about creating space—for prayer, reflection, conversation, worship and rest.
Whether you're walking through the woods, sitting with a journal, sharing a meal or simply enjoying the silence, our hope is that you'll encounter God in unhurried ways.
❋ Intentional Space
Every element of the programme has been designed to create room—not just for activity, but for rest, reflection and listening to God.
❋ Prayer-centred
From daily prayer walks to our dedicated prayer room, prayer sits at the heart of everything we do.
❋ Community
Curated sessions, conversations and shared experiences remind us that following Jesus is something we do together.
❋ Simplicity
Less rushing. Less noise.
Less pressure. More presence.
More peace. More of Jesus.
Create space to slow down, quiet the noise, and be renewed in God's presence.
ThursdayRECEIVE
We begin by arriving. Not just physically, but spiritually.
As we settle into Hays Wood, we'll take time to slow down, meet one another, pray over the site and receive Christ's invitation: "Come to me... and I will give you rest."
Check-InFrom 4:00 pm
Receive your TSL pack
FridayRELAX
Today is about releasing the pace of everyday life.
Through prayer walks, creative sessions and generous free time,
we'll create space to breathe deeply and notice God's presence.
Morning Prayer WalkCurated ExpereincesFree timeSabbath BlessingFireside and Chill
SaturdayRESET
Having slowed down, we ask God to renew us.
Together we'll open Scripture, worship, pray and reflect on the rhythms we want to carry home.
Morning Prayer WalkScripture UnpluggedFree TimeEvening SessionGames Night
SundayRELEASE
The retreat doesn't end here.
Our prayer is that what begins at Hayswood continues long after we leave.
We go home refreshed, carrying new rhythms into everyday life.
Morning Prayer WalkInvitation to WorshipDepartchoose your experience
Our curated sessions are designed to help you slow down, create space and engage with the retreat in a way that meets you where you are. Choose the experience that resonates most with you and enjoy a morning of intentional rest, reflection and renewal.
Watercolour Café
THE
REST ROOM
Slow down, create and enjoy the process.
No previous experience is needed. Just a willingness to pause and put brush to paper. Watercolour Café offers a relaxed environment to explore creativity, enjoy conversation and simply be present. Whether you're painting a landscape, a favourite verse or abstract colours, this session is about finding joy in creating without pressure or perfection.
You'll leave with: Your own artwork and a reminder that slowing down can be an act of worship.
In the busyness of everyday life, it’s easy to neglect ourselves.
The Rest Room invites you to slow down through simple acts of self-care, quiet conversation and reflection.
During the session, you’ll create a Pause Pack to take home, including:
A botanical lip polish
A gentle face polish
A nourishing face mask
With ambient music, calming aromas and time to breathe, this is an opportunity to unwind, enjoy the creative process and embrace the gift of rest.
You’ll leave with:
A renewed appreciation that caring for yourself can help you care for others more intentionally, along with handmade products to continue your rest ritual at home.
ROOM
TO REFLECT
THE RHYTHM
OF REST
Discover God's design for work, worship and rest.
Busyness has become normal, but it isn't always healthy. This practical and reflective session explores how we can live with greater intention by following the rhythms God established from the very beginning.
Hosted by Kalinda, one of our Acts members, this session draws on both her personal journey and her passion for helping Christians live intentionally. Through her work in faith, planning, leadership and personal growth, she'll share practical insights that have helped her cultivate healthier rhythms centred on Christ.
Together, you'll complete a creative rhythm self-audit, explore what we can learn from the rhythms of creation in Genesis, and reflect on how your current pace of life aligns with God's design.
You'll leave with:
- A personal rhythm self-audit
- Practical rhythms to implement in everyday life
-A renewed vision for living with greater intention, margin and dependence on God
Make space to listen, reflect and write.
Sometimes the clearest conversations with God happen when we slow down long enough to notice them. Through guided prompts, Scripture and quiet reflection, this session will help you process your thoughts, capture what God may be saying and record the journey you're on.
Whether you're an experienced journaler or picking up a notebook for the first time, this is simply an invitation to pause and reflect.
You'll leave with: Meaningful journal entries and practical prompts to continue your reflection beyond the retreat.
How It Works
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Tell us a little about yourself, what you would you would like to get out of the reand your preferred curated sessions.
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Adults: £30
Children (12-17): £15
Children (12 and under): FREE
If you haven’t done so, please make your payment to:
Acts Seventh-day Adventist Church
Sort code: 40-39-04
Account number: 92035057Please use the reference: ACTSRETREAT26
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In the weeks leading up to the retreat we'll share prayer prompts and reflections to help prepare your heart.
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We'll send you The Companion - everything you need to know before arriving, including spiritual preparation, packing suggestions and practical information.
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Make your travel arrangements and let us know if you need help coordinating transport.
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Come expectant.
Come rested if you can.
Come as you are.
rest
starts
here.
FAQs
who is the simple life for?
The Simple Life is open to all Acts members and their families. Whether you're seeking rest, renewal, deeper community or simply time away with God, there's a place for you.
how do the curated experiences work?
On Friday morning, you'll have the opportunity to choose two Curated Experiences from four unique options. We'll ask for your preferences before the retreat so we can prepare each experience and ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
are meals provided?
The Simple Life is a self-catering retreat, giving you the flexibility to prepare your own meals and enjoy them at your own pace.
We'll provide food during our Friday evening Sabbath Blessing & Agape Feast and Saturday Games Night, creating opportunities to gather, share and enjoy community together.
what should i bring?
We'll send a full packing list before the retreat, but we'd recommend bringing:
Your Bible
Comfortable clothing
Suitable footwear for walking
A reusable water bottle
Toiletries
Any medication you require
A heart ready to slow down and seek God
what are the scripture cards?
Before the retreat, our Prayer Team will pray over a collection of carefully selected Bible verses. During the weekend, you'll be invited to choose one Scripture Card to take home as a personal encouragement and reminder of God's promises, praying through that passage during the weeks that follow.
why is it called the simple life?
The Simple Life is an invitation to step away from the pace and pressures of everyday life and rediscover the rhythms of work, worship and rest that God intended. More than a weekend away, it's an opportunity to make space for His presence and return home with practical rhythms that continue long after the retreat ends.
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No. While we'd encourage everyone to join the main worship gatherings and devotional moments, the retreat has been intentionally designed with plenty of space to rest. Free time isn't a gap in the programme - it's part of the experience.
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Absolutely. The Simple Life is built around intentional margin. Throughout the weekend you'll have opportunities to enjoy the site, explore the local area, spend time in prayer, connect with others, or simply embrace the gift of slowing down.
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Then that's perfectly okay.
The Simple Life isn't about keeping busy - it's about creating space. If, during your free time, what you need most is to sit quietly with a coffee, take a walk, or simply rest, we encourage you to do exactly that. Some of the most meaningful moments of the weekend may happen in the spaces between the programme.
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Yes. Children are an important part of The Simple Life. During the main gatherings, we'll provide age-appropriate activities linked to the retreat themes, alongside a dedicated space for younger children. During the Curated Experiences, a children's programme will be available so parents can fully participate.
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Every attendee will receive The Simple Life Journal before the retreat begins. It contains guided reflections, prayer prompts and journalling activities to help you prepare spiritually beforehand, engage more deeply throughout the weekend and continue reflecting after you've returned home.
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The Prayer Room will remain open throughout the retreat as a dedicated space for quiet prayer, reflection and meeting with God. Members of the Prayer Team will also be available at designated times if you'd like someone to pray with you.
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Please let us know by completing your Retreat Information Form. We'll do our best to accommodate your needs and ensure everyone can fully enjoy the retreat.
*Please not this only applicable to our Friday evening Sabbath Blessing & Agape Feast and Saturday Games Night,
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Yes, please do! You're welcome to enjoy the surrounding area, including nearby walks and beaches. We’ll be providing a list of local amenities shortly.
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f there's anything you're unsure about, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the planning team (Adrian, Darryll, Elle and Louise).
We're here to help and want you to feel prepared and expectant as we journey together.