Guided Retreat | My Weakness. His Strength | Joe and Cathy Silmon | 25 Sep 2026

The Gift at Bethany

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

Join Cathy and Joe at The Wellspring for a gentle and reflective retreat exploring the words of the Apostle Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In a world that often values strength, control, and self-sufficiency, many of us quietly carry places of weakness—struggles we wish would go away, prayers that seem unanswered, or limitations we cannot overcome. Yet this retreat offers a different perspective: that these very places may become the meeting ground of God’s grace and power.

Through three guided teaching sessions, followed by unhurried times of personal reflection, we will journey together from honesty, through surrender, into a deeper awareness of Christ’s presence within our weakness. The final session will provide space to draw the threads together and, for those who wish, to share what God has been doing.

Set in the peaceful surroundings of The Wellspring, this day is an invitation to slow down, listen, and encounter God in a fresh and personal way—discovering that His grace is not only sufficient, but present, active, and deeply transformative, even in the places we find hardest to bear.

Retreat areas will be available both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Numbers are limited to 15 to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, allowing personal space for reflection.

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Programme

10:00-10:30am – Start – Welcome/Registration/Hot drinks

10:30-11:30am – Session 1: Naming the Thorn. From awareness to honesty before God.

11:30am – 11:35am: Short Break.

11:35am – 12:30pm: Session 2: The Turning Point. From resistance to surrender.

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch.

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Session 3: Strength Made Perfect. From absence to encounter in weakness.

2:30pm – 2:35pm: Short Break.

2:35pm – 3:30pm: Session 4: Resolution and Response. Drawing the threads together. Sharing.

3:30pm – 4:00pm: End – Coffee/Cake.

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About Your Quiet Day Leaders

Cathy and Joe Silmon are passionate about creating spaces for people to seek and encounter God. With years of ministry experience between them (in teaching, worship, evangelism, discipleship and prayer) they aim to help others discover God’s presence in the stillness, while providing a warm welcome and hospitality. They have been married for 30 years and have two grown-up children.

About The Wellspring Ledbury

The Wellspring was founded by wardens, Joe and Cathy Silmon, in early 2023 as a non-denominational Christian retreat and events centre. Established to serve, support, and resource the Body of Christ primarily in the Malvern Hills and surrounding three counties areas, we organise and host public and private events, provide venue hire, plus rental of a residential, self-catering, retreat cottage.

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Venue Info

If you've not visited The Wellspring before, we recommend you view our Contact page where you will find directions and other helpful info in the 'Visit Us' section.