The Society of the Sisters of Bethany is a religious order for women within the Anglican Communion founded in 1866. The Sisters are a group of women who feel themselves to be called by God to live as a family in Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. By prayer and activity, the Sisters seek to share in the work of reconciling the divided Churches of Christendom and the whole world to the glory of God the Father. By simplicity of life-style, the Sisters try to identify with those for whom they share in Christ's work of intercession in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the 1980's the Community was invited by the then Bishop of Portsmouth to be a praying presence within his Diocese, (there being no presence of the Anglican Religious Life within the Diocese). The House of Bethany at 7 Nelson Road, Southsea was first opened in 1986, and since 1998 it has been the home of all the Sisters.

Each day the Sisters meet regularly in Chapel for the recitation of the Divine Office and for the daily Eucharist which provides the framework for their day. They pray daily for the unity of Christians; the intention of the Eucharist every Thursday is for Unity followed by an Office for Unity. On Fridays they keep a three-hour Prayer Watch before the Blessed Sacrament, and in addition each Sister has her own special intentions. Each Sister makes the offering of herself in the hidden life of prayer within the Community in the belief that God desires and accepts that offering.

The main active work of the Sisters is to offer hospitality to those who want to "Come apart" for a while, or for a time of quiet. A number of Sisters have received training in Spiritual Direction, and different aspects of retreat work, which includes leading Quiet Days and preaching. Other work of various kinds is undertaken including missions, parish work and Girl Guides.

The House of Bethany itself is a resource for the parishes. The Sisters welcome those who join them in their daily worship in Chapel, they provide a prayerful environment for meetings of church groups of various kinds, parish away days, prayer groups and Julian meetings. The Sisters host a monthly programme of Open Quiet Days which always welcomes newcomers. The library is available to those who wish to use the resources and study - it houses the library belonging to the Readers' Training Course.

Under the patronage of the household at Bethany, the Sisters seek to live a life that is the expression of a shared concern to love and serve God and one another after the example of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

QUIET DAYS

A Quiet Day is time spent with God - time for prayer, reflection and relaxation

DAILY TIMETABLE OF SERVICES TO WHICH VISITORS ARE WELCOME

The Eucharist/Mass is celebrated daily

UNITY

At the heart of each Sister's vocation is a call to prayer, sharing in Christ's work of reconciling humanity to God. Praying in the Spirit which unites us all to Christ and in Christ, for the wholeness of broken humanity, for the integrity of creation, for the peace of the world and for the Kingdom of God.

Our motto - "SILENTIUM ET SPES"
- IN QUIETNESS AND IN CONFIDENCE -
Let us pray to the Lord.

COLLECT

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ,
when living among us, honoured with his presence the home at Bethany. Give us grace like Lazarus, to walk in newness of life,
like Martha to feed Christ in serving our brothers and sisters, and like Mary, attentive to your word, to be fed by him who is the bread of life, our Saviour; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen