Photo by Imad Alassiry on Unsplash
For the past 16 years GES has presented to the Gabriola community a great number of excellent programmes that range from spiritual faith-based awareness to practical spiritual application.
Our past 18 months have forced us to reconsider the ways in which we approach our programming and continue to maintain commitment to diverse, interesting, and relevant spiritual experiences.
What that means and how that happens is changing, and based on our previous article (July 2021), “We are creating a new paradigm as we transition into a world where we all have had worldwide pandemic as part of our history. We are changing the way we are thinking about how we live in the world. No one anywhere remains unscathed by the last 16 months.”
What does that mean? How do we each of us go about finding our way? Where do we turn when it becomes necessary for us to shift? On whom do we rely to find solace, support and ‘truth’? In times such as these, questions for us become more profound and the answers even more important to seek.
Hopefully, GES as a community of spiritual seekers can support one other as we ponder these issues. Maya Angelou said, “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” How many of us have, lately, been saying “With most people being vaccinated we are getting back to normal.” The GES is considering a “new normal” at this point and looking at new ways of touching our spiritual souls.
To Come Home To Yourself
May all that is unforgiven in you be released.
May your fears yield their deepest tranquillities.May all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.
John O’Donohue
This summer the GES hosted three developmental pilgrimages created and facilitated by Rev. Karen Hollis. The content offered was intended to resonate with various and diverse spiritual beliefs and practices. Much of the success of this programme was due to the flexibility of its design. Time alone, walking in Nature, self-reflection through journaling and a gathering of Zoom meetings and outside circle gatherings to share our experiences were designed specifically to accommodate the restrictions and challenges presented by Covid. In the end we “came home”.
The coming year is ripe with programming possibilities for our Gabriola Community. You can learn more about the GES leadership (board and programme committee) meeting earlier this month and the theme ideas we’re working with.
We are committed to making the coming year rich, wholesome, exciting, diverse and wonderful! Please consider joining us.
Participate in our programmes. Engage with others in discussion and activities that promote and enhance our spiritual growth. Perhaps even become a member of our Gabriola Ecumenical Society.
Check out our September event with Maureen Wild presenting Hildegard of Bigen, and stay tuned to our list of future programmes for 2021- 2022. We would love to share meaningful time with you together. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
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Early in August the GES Board and Program Committee gathered at the Netloft to reconnect and talk about what kind of theme for this year could possibly capture the current spiritual dimensions human experience. As we sat in the shade we were warmly welcomed by Brenda Gaertner. Brenda told us the land has been resting and waiting; the land has been ok with this time of rest and welcomes the return of the people.