Ashburnham Place Hospitality Statement
Ashburnham Place has its origin in our founder’s desire that the house and its community were set apart for a special purpose, a sanctified place where people would meet God.
As a community, we desire to practice hospitality in the way that Jesus did.
Much of our hospitality is focused on providing the Church in all its shapes and sizes a set-apart place to pray, worship and learn together. We do this prayerfully in our mission to extend God’s kingdom in all the world.
We also see that Jesus gave a particularly warm welcome to those that were judged and marginalised by society. We draw on the wisdom of the Benedictine hospitality and St Benedict when he states: ‘All guests who present themselves are to be received as Christ, for he himself will say: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”’
Practising hospitality to God – making room for Him in our lives – is also displayed by our willingness to make room for the foreigner, the outsider. When Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, he reflects that the practice of Christian hospitality is not only generous, but also costly as we may need to cross some cultural and religious boundaries. We become the neighbour by caring, respecting and providing for the stranger with whom we cross paths.
Living in an era where the fear of strangers (xenophobia) is increasing, practising the love of strangers (philoxenia) is a biblical quest as well as a significantly counter-cultural one.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews reflects on a significant unseen reality: ‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.’ Hebrews 13:2
Thus, we seek to welcome all God may send our way, honouring each person as beloved and of infinite worth. Our hospitality is expressed in providing meals and accommodation; offering attentive presence and creating rhythms of rest and refreshment as we serve with joy. Moreover, there is space for personal pastoral conversation and prayer.
We are committed to ensuring that our land, buildings and community together embody a culture of open-hearted welcome that reflects God’s kingdom in Ashburnham Place as a precious and sacred space.
(The ACT Hospitality statement is underpinned by an operational framework. If you have any specific questions around a booking please contact our bookings team)
