| | 🫂 He Calls Us Friends
🙌 Worship — Friend of God 💛 Friends Days — Recap 🤝 Friends of The Wellspring Scheme 📅 September 2026 Event 🎟️ Special Event - 17th October 2026 🔙 August 2026 Recap 🏡 Cottage for Hire 🏘️ Venue Hire 📔 Dates for your Diary 🙏 Prayer Diary - August 2026
🎵 Breath Of Life
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“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…” — John 15:15 |
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Dear Friends,
This past weekend, we held our two Friends Days at The Wellspring, and it was a real joy to welcome people who have walked with us, prayed for us, encouraged us and shared in different parts of the journey.
There is something deeply significant about friendship. At its best, it speaks of trust, belonging, shared life and the freedom to know and be known. And yet, wonderful as human friendship can be, Jesus takes the word somewhere even deeper when He says to His disciples, “I have called you friends.”
This is not simply a warmer way of describing our relationship with God. Jesus is revealing something extraordinary about the kind of relationship He has opened to us. We are not kept at a distance, merely receiving instructions from a Master we hardly know. Through Him, we are invited close — into relationship, conversation and participation in what the Father is doing.
The Bank Holiday Monday (31st) Friends Day was blessed with sunshine, and guests were able to make full use of the spaces — inside and out. The Saturday (29th) event turned out to be rather wetter than we had imagined! Plans for people to enjoy the grounds and sit outside had to be reconsidered as the rain continued to fall. But after such a long, hot and unusually dry summer, it was difficult to complain. Instead, we found ourselves celebrating the thought of local fields and farms receiving the water they had so desperately needed.
Perhaps there was a picture for us in the rain, too.
Ground that has endured a long dry season does not need to strive harder; it needs rain. What has become parched begins to soften. Roots are refreshed. Hidden life is nourished. What appeared dry can begin to grow again.
There are seasons in our spiritual lives when something similar is true. Friendship with Jesus is not another demand placed upon us. It is an invitation to remain close enough to receive from Him — His presence falling like rain upon places that have become weary, dry or thirsty.
As we journey through September, our prayer is that we would increasingly discover what Jesus really meant when He called us friends: people welcomed into His presence, trusted with His heart, and invited to walk with Him in what He is doing.
Blessings,
Joe and Cathy
Wardens, The Wellspring Ledbury
www.thewellspring.uk
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🙌 Worship — Friend of God |
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(Click on the above image to view the video) |
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Who am I that You are mindful of me That You hear me when I call Is it true that You are thinking of me How You love me it's amazing
I am a friend of God I am a friend of God I am a friend of God He calls me friend
God Almighty, Lord of Glory You have called me friend |
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“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” — Philippians 1:3-5 |
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Each Friends Day began and ended with a time of worship led by Cathy.
In the morning, Cathy shared 'The Wellspring Story – Following a Voice in Faithful Pursuit', where she reflected on the many things God has said to us directly or through others over the past 3 years which have helped guide our decisions and brought us to where we are today.
Joe followed with 'The Wellspring Work – Leaning into Something Lasting', looking at how the original calling to establish The Wellspring is now taking practical shape through our events, retreats, venue hire, Cottage, online ministry and the growing work behind the scenes. He also previewed the Friends of The Wellspring scheme - see below for further details.
After lunch, there was time to relax, talk, explore The Wellspring and take part in a variety of afternoon activities, before gathering again for an open Q&A and a final time of worship and prayer.
We are especially grateful to Steph, our dear sister and administrator, for setting up a shop in the barn where she sold house plants and preserves to guests, as well as managing a prayer board. Our warm thanks to all those who visited the barn, purchased items or left a prayer.
The atmosphere across both days was warm, relaxed and full of genuine fellowship. It was especially encouraging to have the opportunity to spend unhurried time with people who care about The Wellspring, to share more openly about where we have come from, what God seems to be doing now, and some of the hopes we carry for the future.
One of the greatest joys of the Friends Days was simply recognising again that The Wellspring was never intended to be a journey we make alone. We are deeply grateful for every person who has prayed, given, encouraged, visited, served, shared a word at the right moment or simply walked alongside us.
To everyone who joined us over the two days — thank you. We came away encouraged, grateful and excited to see how these friendships will continue to grow in the months and years ahead. |
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🤝 Friends of The Wellspring Scheme |
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"We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth."
— 3 John 1:8 |
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The idea of creating a Friends of The Wellspring scheme was first raised at our Friends Day in August 2025. The response from those who attended was encouraging, and it gave us confidence to explore the idea more fully rather than rush into launching something before we knew what it should become.
In the months that followed, we spent time praying, listening and gathering feedback from those who had been present when the possibility of a Friends scheme was first mentioned. We also began looking at the way other UK retreat houses and Christian centres, including Lee Abbey, Ashburnham Place and Ffald-y-Brenin, structured their own Friends schemes.
One thing that stood out was that regular Friends events and gatherings did not generally appear to be a major feature. That may simply reflect the more national profile of these larger centres, where Friends are spread much more widely and relationships can naturally be less personal.
The Wellspring is rather different. We are a small retreat house, and many of those who walk with us, pray for us, support us or simply keep in touch, are local to the area and known to us personally — in many cases, the relationships extend beyond The Wellspring itself.
Because of that, we felt the defining characteristic of our own Friends scheme should be relationship and opportunities to gather together.
Our aim is therefore not simply to create another mailing list or giving scheme, but to facilitate a group of people who feel connected with The Wellspring and with one another. To make that possible, we are planning a programme of Friends-only events and gatherings throughout the year.
As these gatherings inevitably carry a cost, membership of the scheme will require a minimum subscription of £5 per month, per person. That minimum contribution will primarily help us cover the cost of providing the Friends events themselves. Any additional amount given above £5 will help sustain the wider life and ministry of The Wellspring.
What Friends will Receive Access to a private Friends area of The Wellspring website, including an online group, prayer notices and volunteering opportunities 5–6 Friends events and gatherings each year Half-yearly Friends news updates
Scheduled Events & Gatherings
The current programme of upcoming Friends events includes: 14 December 2026 — Friends Christmas Gathering, 4:00pm–6:00pm 17 April 2027 — Friends Morning Walk, 10:00am–12:30pm 4 June 2027 — Friends Evening of Worship and Prayer, 7:00pm–9:00pm 28 August 2027 — Friends Open Day 1, 10:00am–4:00pm 30 August 2027 — Friends Open Day 2, 10:00am–4:00pm 22 October 2027 — Friends Quiet Day, 10:00am–4:00pm
We hope these gatherings will provide a mixture of fellowship, worship, prayer, retreat and simple opportunities to spend time together.
How to Become a Member
To become a Friend of The Wellspring: Visit the main Friends information page at: https://www.thewellspring.uk/friends Click the Become a Friend button. Complete the application form on the Become a Friend page and click Submit. You will then be redirected to the Friends payment-method page. If you would like 100% of your subscription to come directly to The Wellspring, you can choose to pay by monthly standing order. Alternatively, for the convenience of card payments, you can pay by debit or credit card by entering your chosen monthly subscription amount in the payment form. You can cancel your Friends subscription at any time. If paying by standing order, please cancel it directly with your bank and email [email protected] to let us know. If paying by debit or credit card, go to the Subscriptions tab in your account profile and select Cancel.
Above all, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has already walked alongside The Wellspring in so many different ways. The Friends scheme is simply one way of giving that relationship a little more shape and creating more opportunities for us to journey together in the years ahead. |
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“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 |
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Join Cathy and Joe at The Wellspring for a gentle and reflective guided 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 be a time to receive prophetic music ministry from Cathy.
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.
For more information or to book your place, visit our "My Weakness, His Strength" event page. |
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🎟️ Special Event - 17th October 2026 |
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“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 |
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Join David Vincent at The Wellspring in Ledbury for Your Kingdom Come Here, a timely and strategic event aimed at church and Christian leaders with responsibility for mission, evangelism, and prayer. The day will be shaped around themes from David’s forthcoming book of the same name - publication set for September 2026.
If you're not familiar with David and his work, here's a helpful video of him being interviewed by James Aladiran of Prayer Storm.
The day will explore what it means to pray the words of Jesus — “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” — not as a familiar phrase, but as a strategic call to discern, love, serve, and intercede for the places God has entrusted to us.
Drawing on themes of Kingdom authority, heavenly perspective, land and place, spiritual responsibility, worship, prayer walking, and building prayer infrastructure, David will help leaders think deeply and practically about how prayer can become rooted in the life of a locality.
This is not simply a day about personal prayer, but about prayer that is relational, Kingdom-minded, place-aware, and locally responsive — prayer that seeks the renewing presence of God in churches, communities, neighbourhoods, and regions.
Attendance at this important event is free (donations to The Wellspring Ledbury are appreciated) and will include hot drinks, a buffet lunch, and afternoon cake. Places are limited to 26 (maximum of 2 guests per applicant) so please reserve your place as soon as you can.
For more information or to reserve your place, visit our "Your Kingdom Come Here" event page. |
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“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” — Psalm 9:1 |
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August is always a slightly different month for us. Like January, we intentionally keep the calendar free from public events, creating a little more breathing space in the rhythm of the year.
That certainly did not mean The Wellspring was quiet. Alongside our Friends Days, we were pleased to welcome a number of groups using the venue in different ways — these included a ladies’ knitting and crochet group, a men’s retreat group, and a leadership away day. We also welcomed both new and returning guests to the Cottage during the month.
It's always a joy to see the different ways people make use of the spaces here — whether for retreat, rest, fellowship, creativity, conversation or simply time away from the usual pressures of life.
August reminded us again that ministry does not always need to look like a programme of events. Sometimes it is simply about making room: offering a place where people can gather, pause, connect and receive what they need in that particular season. |
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“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31 |
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Wellspring Cottage is a sanctuary of solitude surrounded by rolling hills and marked by peace and tranquility - an ideal location for wayfarers and pilgrims to stop, rest, and connect with the Lord.
Find out more about Wellspring Cottage by visiting the Cottage page on our website; or check availability and book your stay through our Live Booking Page. |
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“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20 |
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We provide venue hire for churches and other Christian groups of up to 25 — depending on requirements.
In addition to the spaces hired, we can offer a range of catering options for your day, plus additional hire of facilities — projector, projector screen, whiteboard, etc — as needed.
If you are interested in bringing your group to The Wellspring, you'll find further information on our Venue Hire web page. |
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“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 |
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🙏 Prayer Diary - September 2026 |
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“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” — Jeremiah 33:3 |
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We would appreciate your prayers during September in the following areas:
Please 🙏 for The Wellspring, that it would be a safe haven to all who visit, and a place of encounter for those needing to hear from God.
Please 🙏 for The Team (Cathy, Joe, Steph, Jutta and Susie), as we continue to guard and curate this beautiful work that God has given us, and that we would hear and know His will as we move forward.
Please 🙏 for our Friends and Volunteers who support the work of The Wellspring in different ways, that they would experience a regular flow of living water in their lives.
Please 🙏 for groups Hiring our spaces this month, that they would be blessed by the venue and its peaceful surroundings, that they would encounter God's presence here, and enjoy times of peace and fellowship as a group.
Please 🙏 for those staying in The Cottage, that they would experience God's peace and rest, and that those who come specifically seeking direction or a word from the Lord, would hear from Him.
Should you feel during your prayers for The Wellspring that the Lord might be saying something through words, pictures, scriptures, etc, please write to: [email protected].
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Click the image above to listen to Cathy's album "Breath of Life" on SoundCloud. |
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