Sheldon (Mary and Martha)

Sheldon the place

A cluster of farm buildings tucked away at the end of a lane in the Teign Valley in Devon. Sheldon is owned by an independent charity (The Society of Mary and Martha). Over the past 30 years all the accommodation has been built, converted or extensively refurbished. Now with 27 guest bedrooms and a variety of chapels, meeting rooms, kitchens and other ancillary facilities we provide good space at many levels - physical, emotional and spiritual. The 45 acres of gardens, fields and woodlands also contribute to a an environment that is healing and restorative. We welcome several thousand guests each year from individual private retreatants to a few larger groups. 

Sheldon the people

Sheldon is home to an intentional community with a vocational commitment to the ministry of the centre. We are a small lay community with women and men, single and married who make up the core of the workforce. We are not life-vowed but do aim for commitments that are medium to long term - the next 'stretch' of our lives. (There are also opportunities for short term volunteering and salaried staff roles.)

Sheldon the ministry

Many of our resources are open to everyone including private and led retreats, and space for groups to run their own programme. Our specialist focus is providing resources for people in ministry, especially at times of stress, crisis, burnout or breakdown. We do this in person and through the online Sheldon Hub which has grown out of the 'real world' Sheldon ministry. This aspect is generally discreet and focused on the needs of each individual.