Naramata Centre shutting until end of August

[Carolla]

Five Oaks in Ontario - about a 90 minute drive outside of Toronto - is exploring an exciting partnership for redevelopment of its site - I started a thread with link to their newsletter. It think it's a creative solution & I hope many will continue to enjoy it in future.
http://wondercafe2.ca/index.php?threads/five-oaks-centre-green-redevelopment.1115/

 

[Tabitha]

Just an update to say the CUPE strike is resolved. Centre is still closed. I walked the labyrinth there today.

 

[Tabitha]

annual mtg set for a Sat at end of June. initially in Kelowna now moved to Penticton and chance to be on the grounds Friday afternoon. Apparently move was possible because strike is over.

 

[Tabitha]

Grumble Grumble the "Board" have extended the deadline for nominations to the Board. When I asked who was currently staying on the Board I was told "that information can't be released". BS. Why would I apply to be on a Board and not know who I'd be working with? A non-Board member posted last years minutes that list last year's Board members and the one new addition. So we can "guess" at who may be stepping down. This process certainly lacks transparency. (and I do personally know and like many of the Board members)

 

[Delightful Life]

man, silly domesticated primate politics

even commie-pinko UFO abductee hippies can be prone

and so it goes

 

[Faerenach]

Isn't this the second UCCan education centre to close recently? Are there any viable ones left? Closing places like this seems counter productive to me. How will people get exposed to new ideas and ways of doing things now? Talking from 'Head Office' doesn't seem to have much effect on the attitudes and activities of many local congregations.

Hi Kay,

There are two Education Centres still around - Tatamagouche in Nova Scotia, and Five Oaks in Ontario (near Paris). Five Oaks, as Carolla alluded to, is in the very exciting planning stages of a redevelopment with the group called "Earthship". Definitely worth keeping an ear out for.

As for how people will get exposed to new ideas and ways of doing things... I'm not sure that 'Head Office' ever had that much effect on that. (And that's speaking as someone currently sitting in 'Head Office'!) That, and the General Council Office folks were, if I'm not mistaken, actually discouraged from connecting directly with congregations for a while. That's broken down some with the fluctuating forms of Conference - Alberta North West Conf., for example, is in a very different place than Maritime Conf. But there's still a hesitancy to be seen as 'top-down', as well as a real lack of capacity to be able to directly engage. Now, the staff here focus on resourcing and encouraging new ideas and ways of doing things that are already popping up - there's just no longer the ability to do the planting.

 

[crazyheart]

@Faerenach, what about Dr. Jesse Saulteaux Centre near Boisevaine, Man?

 

[Faerenach]

@Faerenach, what about Dr. Jesse Saulteaux Centre near Boisevaine, Man?

@crazyheart, the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre is actually considered a Theological School, not an Education Centre. It's still going strong! Their Keeper of the Circle right now is Adrian Jacobs (Ganosono), who is a very kind and very wise man. He speaks about how 'the land is our faculty'.

 

[crazyheart]

It was a wonderful place to go and I remember some of the First Nation's staff with fondness.

 

[Faerenach]

It's long, but very excellent.

 

[Tabitha]

so yesterday was bittersweet with worship at Naramata Centre's Beach. This morning has been the Board providing information and the attendees asking for clarification. The AGM is this afternoon. This evening is a potluck at the Centre.