A number of diocesan clergy gathered together at the Bethlehem Retreat House in Nanaimo from April 4-6 for a time of quiet reflection. Retreat leader was Bishop Jane Alexander of the Diocese of Edmonton who delivered five talks entitled “Drinking Living Water”.
Bishop Jane focused her reflections on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. She also led participants through a guided meditation on the prayer of St. Theresa of Avila that affirms in us that ‘we are the only hands and feet Christ has on earth.” Wonderful times of music and worship regularly punctuated the silence of the retreat.
Bishop Jane challenged participants to return home with a renewed sense of calling and an assurance that the love of God in Christ surrounds us. In the words of poet W.H. Auden, she reminded participants that
“He is the Way, follow him through the land of unlikeliness; You will see rare beasts and have unique adventures; He is the Truth, seek him in the kingdom of anxiety; You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years. He is the Life; Love Him in the world of the flesh; And at the marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.”
A special anniversary was recognized at the closing Eucharist as participants celebrated the tenth anniversary of Archdeacon Ron Harrison as our diocesan Administrative Archdeacon. Archdeacon Harrison presided and Bishop Alexander gave the closing homily of the retreat.
Bishop Jane focused her reflections on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. She also led participants through a guided meditation on the prayer of St. Theresa of Avila that affirms in us that ‘we are the only hands and feet Christ has on earth.” Wonderful times of music and worship regularly punctuated the silence of the retreat.
Bishop Jane challenged participants to return home with a renewed sense of calling and an assurance that the love of God in Christ surrounds us. In the words of poet W.H. Auden, she reminded participants that
“He is the Way, follow him through the land of unlikeliness; You will see rare beasts and have unique adventures; He is the Truth, seek him in the kingdom of anxiety; You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years. He is the Life; Love Him in the world of the flesh; And at the marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.”
A special anniversary was recognized at the closing Eucharist as participants celebrated the tenth anniversary of Archdeacon Ron Harrison as our diocesan Administrative Archdeacon. Archdeacon Harrison presided and Bishop Alexander gave the closing homily of the retreat.
(Images: Above the closing Eucharist of the Retreat, Below, The Venerable Ronald Harrison)