Faith Shift Conversations: Going Deeper!

We live in a time when world events are unfolding before our eyes in real-time — from the suffering in Ukraine to the devastation in Gaza, and many other places too often ignored or forgotten. As people navigating evolving faith, many of us are left wondering:

• How do we hold these realities spiritually?
• What does it mean to witness, grieve, or speak out?
• How do we respond with both compassion and integrity — especially when the narratives are complex and often polarised?

This pop-up gathering is a space for open, honest, faith-shifting conversation. A space to reflect, lament, listen, and explore how we hold the pain of the world while staying rooted in love, truth, and action.

Whether your faith feels strong, fragile, or uncertain — you're welcome.

Bring your questions, your anger, your heartbreak, your hope. Let’s wrestle with what it means to be human and spiritually awake in such a time as this.

Who is hosting the conversation?

Anna Robinson is a contemplative who draws from the mystical Christian tradition. She hosts and curates groups and retreats in person and online. Anna lives in Cornwall with Jim and their two daughters.Through gatherings, groups, retreats and guided meditation she curates space for meaningful connection with ourselves, the earth, with others and with the Divine Mystery, some call God. She is a content creator and co-host on Nomad podcast; a place for faith, doubt and re-imagination.

Anna's work draws from her contemplative practice of 20 years, from the mystics and the wisdom traditions, Celtic Christian Spirituality, the bible, wisdom texts, poetry, psychology and her pagan/celtic roots. She uses practices such as nature connection, mindfulness, breath work, the Ignatian meditation, centering prayer, lectio divina, the examen, the use of silence, mantras, invocations and blessings. She follows the cycles of the seasons in the Celtic calendar of the Northern hemisphere and the pagan and christian festivals in and around these seasons.

My husband Jim will be joining this series of conversations. Dr Jim Robinson works to support the coordination of humanitarian responses around the world (and will be bringing his own thoughts on working with those experiencing war and crisis and his shifting faith and emerging spirituality.

Investment/Cost:

This event is offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. The suggested donation is £30 for both sessions — (£15 for each session) - this helps support the time, care, and preparation that go into creating these spaces. These sessions will be recorded and sent out to those who book on, so you can catch up if you are unable to attend one of the days. The recordings will be sent out via email and available for two weeks after the event. They will then be deleted so we can all share freely and confidentially.

If you’re able to give more, you’ll be supporting others who may need to give less. And if money’s tight right now, please know you’re still so welcome — your presence matters more than the payment.

What is Faith Shifting?

Faith shifting or deconstructing/re-thinking/re-evaluating/re-imaging a faith tradition has its challenges and some of us have been harmed within faith organisations, which adds complexity. Whilst each experience is unique, connecting with others to share in an accepting and understanding environment can help us to feel seen and heard, nurturing healing and further growth. Though it will not be group therapy, there will be therapeutic aspects and benefits within the relationships and shared experience.

You may have left church or still be in a church, holding onto to your faith or leaving as fast as you can, have questions around religious institutions, power, belief, theology or something else. We ask you not to join with the thought of changing others’ beliefs, debating or arguing, but to reflect on your own experiences, accepting that others may be in a different place.

Commitment

Your presence, contribution and commitment to the group are so valuable, ideally come along to both the sessions as one will follow the other and be guided by who attends.

If you are unable to make a session, it will be recorded and shared with the group and available for two weeks before being permanently deleted.

Circle Way Method:

We draw from the Circle Way method developed by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea. This way of holding groups asserts a leader in every chair, with time for sharing individually, pausing, reflecting and open conversation. The meetings will be held by the host, Anna and all members of the group are invited to take responsibility for the space we create together. The sessions begin and end with a short pause for reflection. Please look at The Basic Guidelines on the Circle Way website so you are familiar with the method before we begin.

The groups will run the same each week:

· Arrive on zoom.

· A Pause (short time of quiet) once we have all arrived.

· A brief check in and introduction for all in the session.

An introduction with Anna and Jim setting the scene and prompt questions.

· A round of individual sharing (share as much or as little as you like).

· Open conversation within the group

· A check out, sharing any takeaways.

· A pause to end our time together.

· Goodbyes and zoom call ends.