Here beginneth the third and final chapter of the events surrounding my sabbatical!

After my experiences in San Francisco, I took a week out to tour some of the other sights along that coast - including Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Los Angeles, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

On my return to the UK, I then journeyed to the beautiful county of

Somerset to the retreat centre run by the other 9 Anglican Franciscan

sisters here in this country. It is set in Compton Durville, South Petherton in the heart of the rural beauty of the countryside where peace and tranquility surround their religious  community. In as much as the San Franciscan sisters meet the needs of the local community by going out into it, the sisters in Compton Durville meet their community's needs by

allowing people to come to them. It is the only Franciscan retreat centre in the county and consists of a manor house, with converted barns and outbuildings all with their own charm.

Theirs is a ministry of 'hospitality' whereby they provide spiritual direction, guided and silent retreats, give talks and lead quiet days to name a few. Groups and individuals receive pastoral and spiritual care, support and guidance and the sisters are on hand throughout the week.

They also have a regular pattern of daily services in their chapel which seems to radiate peace. Imagine as you enter the only sound you will probably hear is the song of a blackbird as it sings to it's heart's content outside the chapel!  What a wonderful way to encourage one to become focused in readiness for worshipping our Creator God!

The flow of guests was constant during my stay there. In chatting to some of them it is obvious that many come regularly and from different parts of the country. They feel that this is a valued way of charging batteries and receiving the healing and soothing love of God through the ministry of the sisters. Part of the sisters' calling is caring for the spiritual needs of others and, in so doing, providing for their physical needs as Well - all the domestic duties that are involved in cleaning loos, changing beds and generally ensuring the smooth running of the centre are carried out as part of their sacrificial ministry.

My stay there gave me a wonderful opportunity of having time to reflect and just 'be in the presence of God.' I felt held and nurtured, coming away with a real, overwhelming sense of God's love for me.

It has been an enormous privilege and wonderful experience of being alongside Franciscan sisters, both in San Francisco and Somerset and now I am grappling with the challenges which the Franciscan way of life poses for me in my own lifestyle and daily living. They are:

(i)    an acceptance of all people despite race, background, sexual orientation, culture etc.,

(ii)   what it really means to get alongside others,

(iii)   my attitude to possession and wealth - and for the future to ask 'Do I actually need this, or is it that I want it?'

In the hallway of the convent in San Francisco there is a small poster which says: 'joy is being Franciscan'. That phrase sums it up as with joyful steps the sisters follow the way of Jesus Christ through the example of St. Francis.

With warm greetings

                           Angela