The Retreat Association has launched its 2009 journal this month with an invitation to people in the church and beyond to discover the spiritual benefits of going on retreat.

The Retreat Association said it expected an increase in the number of people interested in going on retreat next year as the current financial crisis prompts people to seek the meaning of their lives.

The Retreats journal, now in its eleventh year, lists Christian retreat centres in the UK and abroad but also includes articles about Christian spirituality and details about local and national groups promoting Christian spirituality and spiritual direction.

The Retreat Association said it hoped to reach out to even more people in and on the fringes of the church by making the magazine available through bookshops and attending more local and national events throughout the year to publicise the organisation's work.

“While increasing numbers of people are either turning away from or have no connection with the church, we can offer a way to God that is open and accessible to everyone," said Alison MacTier, Director of the Retreat Association.

She continued, “Retreats is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Christian spirituality and the variety of retreats on offer in 2009 is wider than ever – from skills training, to general interests and hobbies, to help in tackling many of our modern-day social problems.

"For many people, the magazine is their first point of contact with the Retreat Association. The challenge for us this year is to reach out to more and more people through Retreats.”