ABOUT US
Phil & Marie-Anne
Phil and Marie-Anne Joiner have been married for over 38 years, have 3 grown up children and 2 grandchildren. They have worked in the areas of Church leadership, youth work and community transformation.
Marie-Anne has been a musician, worship leader and an inspirational cook for many years.
Phil,formerly a research scientist, has led church, led worship and networked with many Churches and Christian organisations in between playing with his camera and supporting Arsenal football club.​​
What is Breathe?
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Beauty, inspiration and rest are at the heart of Breathe. Phil & Marie-Anne welcome you to their spacious home (not a formal retreat centre) nestled in it’s own little valley, with 13 acres of woodland. They offer up this space for personal retreats, team getaways, fireside chats and meals around the table.
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Over the years Phil & Marie-Anne have come to understand how the senses are divine thresholds. They have tried to make this their lifestyle, curating the detail in the house, the land, the food and the atmosphere.
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"Whilst you are here, we are here for you and if you wish to chat, pray or share stories and chew over the issues of leadership and life then let’s do it!"
Phil & Marie-Anne
Who is Breathe for?
Breathe welcomes...
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- Pastors and their spouses
- Leaders of ministries & charities
- Leadership teams
- The spiritually curious, questioners & dreamers
- Pioneers & emerging leaders
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Phil and Marie-Anne have first-hand experience and insight into the unique pressures on leaders and their families. Networking with so many denominations and streams over the years has given them a greater appreciation of the rich diversity of faith expressions. A recent season of isolation has been a gift to explore faith re-evaluation and re-framing of inherited assumptions. Breathe is a safe space to process questions, doubts and health wobbles! Breathe is all about offering inspiring spaces to prompt awe and wonder, cultivate creativity & ignite imagination.
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The Breathe House is available for overnight stays. It has 6 bedrooms and can sleep up to 10 people in total.
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“So our prayer is that through the ministry of Breathe, you will find yourself reconnecting with the deep love of God for you, and recharging your soul through getting loved up, fed up and built up by hanging out with us for a while.”
Phil and Marie-Anne
The setting
Breathe has been designed to give you the perfect setting for facilitating rest, creativity and belonging. Each room in Phil & Marie-Anne’s home has been crafted for its own adventure. Additionally, the cosy cabins and garden nooks, the meandering brook and “Narnian” woodland invite you to encounter the goodness of God through His beautiful creation. Come and find stillness, experience the quiet.
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To see more of the land, accommodation and wildlife, visit the gallery pages.
The culture of the table
Jesus did so much of his ministry around food and drink. Phil & Marie-Anne place a high value on the celebration of shared meals, and have spent years growing family and community around the table.
Marie-Anne has a particular set of skills (as Liam Neeson)
"She will find you, and she will feed you!"
​In all seriousness, the heart of food at Breathe is to nourish bellies as well as souls, and Marie-Anne has an ability to create unique, healthy, home-grown dishes that cater to everyone. All food is sourced locally/home-grown, and ethical where possible.
