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  • “This weekend has been a gift.” “
  • I was blessed to feel God in this beautiful setting.”  
  • “I was able to let go and just be with God.” 
  • “I learned to embrace the silence.”  

These are a few of the comments from participants who attended the first weekend of the Diocese of New Westminster's Spiritual Formation Retreat “Pro Mundi Vita” (For the Life of the World), a  spiritual weekend retreat, that is uniquely Anglican, where the Holy Spirit can move to personally transform participants to more actively engage in Christian life and mission.” 

The Retreat facilitation team is led by the Rev. Eric Mason, with assistance from the Revs. Steve Bailey, Clarence Li, Faun Harriman and project co-ordinator, Pamela McElheran.    

One of the major goals of this pilot project is to  “meet people where they are and respond to their needs in order that they might be better equipped to further their spiritual journeys.”Evaluations revealed that participants felt this goal was met. The weekend offered the freedom to “let go” of busy lives and “rest in God” through scripture, worship, literature, silence, art and small group gatherings.  

Twenty participants will attend the second of three Retreat weekends Oct 27 to 29  at Camp Elphinstone in Gibsons. The subsidized $30 participant fee includes all accommodation, meals and snacks. The project has been generously sponsored by The Anglican Foundation of Canada, The Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster.

The third and final weekend of this Pilot Project is scheduled for Feb. 23-25, 2018 at Loon Lake Retreat Centre in Maple Ridge. Registration for the Feb. 2018 weekend will open at the end of November 2017. Early registration is recommended.

For more information contact: Project Lead: Eric Mason     

Project Co-ordinator:  Pamela McElheran     

 

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  • Small groups reflect on the retreat exercises to gain insight into new ways to engage in prayer as a way of life.
  • Structured exercises support individuals to seek God in rest and contemplation.
  • Small group reflections focus on developing a fuller life of prayer using examples of creative tools. 
  • Spiritual formation exercises support individuals to “rest” with the Word as they reflect on their faith journey.