Château d'Emines · near Namur, Belgium
Harvest
Retreat
Our first retreat ever — four days at a family castle near Namur with the Sunday Gathering community from Brussels. Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November.
Welcome to the first ever Sunday Gathering retreat
Hosted at the family castle of one of our community members near Namur, this is a chance to deepen the connections we've been building all year, land together for a while, and harvest the fruits of what we've been growing as a community.
This is not your typical retreat. In the spirit of Sunday Gathering, it's a co-created experience: everyone is invited to contribute in their own way, share their gifts, and help bring the retreat to life.
There will be proposed activities and key moments for us to gather, alongside plenty of space to rest, connect, explore and let things unfold organically. And of course we'll keep exploring what we care about most — connection with self, with others, and with something greater.
We begin and end together: arrivals on Thursday 19 November between 18:00 and 20:30, and we finish together around 15:00 on Sunday 22 November. Participation in the activities is optional — we only ask everyone to join the opening circle on Thursday and the Sunday Gathering on the last day.
Theme one
Connection with self
As we explore the theme of harvest, we root deeply into ourselves and notice what we've been carrying. Where we have come from, and especially, who we are now. We take the time to slow down and to feel what in us asks to be acknowledged, appreciated, and — as gently as a leaf falling from the tree — released.
Photo by Nadine Vermeulen
Theme two
Connection with others
Harvesting is a collective labour of love. After tending to our shared space all year, we collect the fruits of our efforts! This is a time to celebrate and nourish these relationships we are co-creating and — just maybe — start to dream up the seeds that we will plant next season.
Photo by Nadine Vermeulen
Theme three
Connection with something greater
A plentiful harvest is the result of many hearts and hands, but it is only possible thanks to graceful forces — like sun and rain. What is guiding the growth in our lives? What is fostering life in us? What makes our existence meaningful? And what unique gifts have been bestowed upon us that can contribute to the whole?
Photo by Johan Legraie
Photo by Johan Legraie
Our commitments
How we choose to be together
The retreat is an extension of the Sunday Gathering. Together, we continue exploring connection with self, others and something greater, while putting into practice the principles of co-creation, generosity, sharing our gifts and openness to the unknown.
These commitments are invitations to guide how we show up during this time we will share together.
01
Co-create rather than consume
We each have something to offer and we each play a part in bringing this retreat to life. We contribute our presence, energy and unique gifts in ways that feel authentic and sustainable for us.
02
Take responsibility for ourselves
We practise expressing our needs, feelings and boundaries, asking for support when needed, and respecting the needs and boundaries of others.
03
Communicate with care and honesty
We speak about and to one another with respect. When difficulties or tensions arise, we address them directly and openly, seeking understanding rather than blame.
04
Listen to understand
We meet each other with curiosity and presence, without rushing to judge, fix or offer advice. We seek to understand what kind of support is welcome.
05
Respect confidentiality
We treat what others share with care and discretion. We are free to share our own experiences, while respecting the privacy of other people's stories.
06
Honour consent and freedom of choice
We participate wholeheartedly while respecting our own limits and those of others. Everyone is free to say yes or no, take a break or simply observe, without needing to justify themselves.
07
Care for each other and our shared space
We approach one another and our surroundings with respect and gratitude, sharing the practical tasks that make our time together possible.
08
Stay present and open to the unknown
We embrace uncertainty, remain curious and allow ourselves to be surprised by what unfolds, without needing to control, plan or document everything.
These commitments are a practice. What matters is our willingness to stay curious, take responsibility and keep finding our way back to connection.
Our home for four days
Château d'Emines
A family château set in eight hectares near Namur, with generous rooms, old trees and open grounds for gathering, creating and wandering.
Visit the château websitePhoto courtesy of Château d'Emines
Choose your place
Every ticket covers all four days, meals and accommodation. Numbers of each type are limited to keep the balance of the group.
Regular participant
€180
No particular responsibilities beyond your one meal shift — and you help others come at a reduced price.
RegisterFacilitator / musician
€120
Offer something to the programme, especially new creations and collaborations. Limited tickets to keep the balance.
RegisterVolunteer
€90
Arrive Thursday 12:00, stay Sunday until 18:00, help set up and clean up. 6–8 tickets for committed volunteers.
RegisterKnow before you go
Getting there
Château d'Emines is a 15-minute drive from Namur station. There is a public bus, taxi vans organised closer to the date, and parking on site.
Sleeping
Dorm rooms of at least 6 people, mixed or split by gender — your preference. Bring your own sheets or rent them for €15.
Eating
Two large meals a day (brunch and dinner), self-serve breakfast and snacks throughout. Vegetarian and mostly gluten-free.
One shift each
Everyone signs up for a single ~1h30 cooking or clean-up shift across the whole retreat. It won't clash with the programme.
Four days together
Arrivals Thursday 18:00–20:30, ending Sunday around 15:00. We ask everyone to stay for the full retreat.
Sixty people
Places are limited to 60 so the retreat stays intimate. Opening circle on Thursday and the Sunday Gathering are for everyone.
Allergies, room preferences and anything else — let us know on the registration form and we'll take care of it.
For facilitators & musicians
The Harvest Retreat is a place to propose your ideas. Any — and indeed several — ideas are welcome. We'll select what best fits the overall programme, and there will still be open slots for co-creation on the spot.
The castle
Three rooms in a row with wooden floors and plenty of natural light, 35–50 m², themed self, others, and something greater.
The club
A 50 m² room with a stage that can be made completely dark — for music, film, movement and late evenings.
The outdoors
A tree-lined walk, a large open green, and plenty of corners of the grounds left to discover.
Sixty places · 19–22 November
Come connect with us
Questions about tickets, travel, food or the programme? Write to Ani at sundaygatheringbxl@gmail.com.