“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins.”
Luke 5: 37-38
Greetings from Carmel
One of our intercessors received a dream about Carmel during this past week. It was a vision of Carmel restoring the current ground and increasing our influence. In celebration some of our leaders were sharing a bottle of wine. The wine was almost finished but there was a promise of more. In the dream, the leader encouraged those surrounding him to share out the last of the bottle so that they could open the new.
Firstly, this is such an encouragement that our Father speaks to us, and over us. Secondly, it speaks of restoring what has come before. It also points to a new beginning and growth which we can celebrate. Wine symbolises a new covenant, provision, celebration, and the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to pursue the GOD who is always faithful to His promises, to complete the ministry set before us with generous hearts, trusting for provision in this new season.
This past weekend, Carmel’s leaders have been prayerfully discerning where GOD is leading Carmel’s ministry and how best to work towards this vision. There are some exciting plans for the coming months to better utilise the spaces we have available for ministry, build additional classrooms and conferencing venues, and equip and empower the ministry team living and working at Carmel.
We have some school groups visiting and we pray for their time to be blessed. Please don’t delay to book for the Women’s Retreat which will be a time to seek GOD’s voice in the midst of life. We are also excited to welcome Beryl and Derek Puffett who will be hosting a pastor, missionary and ministry leader’s retreat in October. We hope that many people in the ministry will receive rest and refilling during this week. If anyone would like to sponsor a ministry leader please contact us.
May GOD bless and keep you.
Suzanne Mackay
The Carmel Trustees
Break away from the bustle of life to experience Carmel for your next group retreat, conference or day-event.
Come together for a time of restoration, networking and refocus for the year ahead. Make your group visit an experience to remember through our range of accommodation, dining and meeting venues, while enjoying our breath-taking Victoria Bay views, beautiful gardens and quiet spaces too.
Come together for family time, rest and fun
30 September – 9 October 2023
The School Holidays are a special time at Carmel, for all to come together for rest and a good amount of holiday fun.
The Carmel team will be running daily activities for kids of all ages and adults too… and for rest and restoration, our garden walks, many quiet spaces and chapel are perfect to gain the rest you may need (spiritual, emotional and physical).
To experience school holidays at Carmel, watch our holiday highlights video below.
Whether you are staying over or a day visitor, we look forward to you joining us over the school holidays. To book your school holiday accommodation, please click to contact us or call the office on 044 889 0019.
Experience our Winter Special at Carmel
Until the end of August 2023, we are running a Winter Special! When booking 2+ nights, receive 30% off your B&B accommodation! And for the winter camping enthusiasts, receive 50% off our campsite accommodation when booking 2 nights+.
Break away from the busyness of life to rest and restore, while you enjoy our beautiful gardens, quiet places, B&B sea view rooms or camping options, Victoria Bay views and dining.
The discount is from regular season pricing and additional dining options are at standard pricing.
Greetings from the Ministry Team
Throughout the year Carmel hosts a variety of interesting, special interest programmes and spiritually enriching seminars. Carmel staff as well as highly regarded teachers and specialists lead these programmes.
Read more below on our upcoming programmes and to stay informed about future ministry events visit our Ministry webpage.
Ministry Leaders Retreat
Presented by Derek & Beryl Puffett
Date: 10 – 13 October 2023
Our Ministry Leaders Retreat is designed to be a place of healing and restoration for pastors, especially those who are struggling in difficult personal situations, or those who have become exhausted in the battle and are desperately in need of rest and recuperation.
– Restore
The retreat provides the opportunity for complete rest, support, care and personal prayer ministry for those in key, full-time positions of leadership within a church, organisation or business.
– Refresh
These specially designed retreats are not intended merely as holiday breaks away from everyday life, but as time given to God for Him to work deeply in the lives of those who attend.
– Re-envision
This retreat is not built around a structure of formal meetings. They are led by the experienced Ellel leaders and simply offer space, time and care to facilitate God’s restoration for your whole being: body, soul and spirit.
Whether you are in need of personal restoration or are seeking the Lord for direction and renewed vision for your life and ministry, these specialised leaders’ retreats provide the necessary secure and loving environment.
To learn more about the presenters, Derek and Beryl Buffett, click here. For further enquiries and to book your place, please contact us or call the office on 044 889 0019.
Women’s Retreat
Presented by Katharine Marsden & Suria Scholtz
18 – 20 August 2023
The Still, Small Voice: Finding GOD in the midst of life
Based on 1 Kings 19
This women’s weekend retreat is an opportunity to create a sacred space in your life, to wait upon the Lord in the beauty of His creation and be refreshed, renewed and strengthened.
Over the course of the weekend we will be exploring God’s narrative in our lives as we ‘re-remember’ our lives in the context of a loving God who knows us in our inmost being. We will be using contemplative practices including prayer walks, meditation and periods of silent reflection to allow God to work his unforced rhythms of grace in us.
There are three options to join:
Day visitor: R990/per person
- Programme Fees
- Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch (no breakfasts)
Shared: Stay over (2 nights): R1560/per person sharing
- 2 person shared Sea View accommodation (2 nights)
- Programme Fees
- All meals included: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch.
Single: Stay over (2 nights): R1870/per person
- Sea View accommodation (2 nights)
- Programme Fees
- All meals included: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch.
To book your place, please email bookings@carmelmail.co.za or call the office on 044 889 0019.
Carmel Prayer Room
If you would like to be a part of the Wednesday Prayer Room, we pray in the chapel every Wednesday morning from 07h00 – 08h00. If you are not able to join, we have created a dedicated email newsletter which you can sign-up on the link below and we will keep you updated.
We pray that God may continue to fill our guests with renewed hope, enthusiasm and restoration. We pray that Carmel will continue to be fruitful place, bringing the much needed restoration our guests are seeking and that God’s blessings may be poured over them. May God’s presence be at Carmel as it is in heaven.
We would love for you to partner with us in prayer for Carmel. Please continue to hold the staff of Carmel and the Carmel Community in prayer.
Carmel's ongoing legacy
The shared testimonies over the many years of Carmel’s history inspire confidence. God continues to be at work and use Carmel for His ministry. So many leave rested, encouraged, and restored, by the love of Jesus. The ripple effects of Carmel continue into eternity. All praise be to God!
In being able to continue the work of Carmel for future generations to come, we are seeking our valued guests and friends of Carmel for donations or bequests, in leaving a legacy into Carmel’s future. There are many specific projects we have on our hearts to implement the mission of Carmel, and many ways in which to become involved.
If being a part of Carmel’s legacy is on your heart, we would love to share our vision and projects with you in more detail and how you can be a part of Carmel’s bright future.