Events and Retreats

hosted by Camp Columbia

Women’s Spring Retreat Weekend. “Radical Women, Fierce Faith”.

To be at Camp Columbia in Springtime is a great delight to the senses and the soul. The Spring Women’s Weekend “Radical Women, Fierce Faith” was held there from 11th to 13th April, 2008. 25 Radical Women from all over the Island and from as far away as Toronto and Lillooet gathered together to sing, worship, pray and refresh or make new friendships.

Sister Doreen McGuff, SSJD gave lively, thought provoking sessions on the lives of 4 Radical Women who showed Fierce Faith in times of great turmoil in the Church. They were Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), Dorothy Day (1897-1980) and Joan Chittester (b. 1936). All these long-lived women, with their fierce faith, made great impact on the troubled churches of their times. Sister Doreen encouraged the women present to learn by their example so that they could become leaders, with a fierce faith, making a difference through Active Love in the broken Church today. She said that the bonds of Active Love, which the 4 chosen women displayed, are far stronger than what divides us. The Rev. Dawn Braithwaite led very spirit-filled devotions, Diane Bell, with her angelic voice, was the Music Leader, Cathy Beise had everyone Stretching and Praying and Canon Barb Coleman shared Camp stories.

Saturday afternoon was spent doing Radical Women crafts, enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the woods or just soaking up the welcome sun on the beach before the entertaining “Camp Columbia Idol” show in the evening. Some women stayed up to watch the movie “Joan of Arc” who was definitely another woman with a fierce faith.

Everyone went home refreshed in mind, body and spirit and already excitedly talking about the Fall Women’s Weekend – October 24th to 26th, 2008. Sarah Donnelly, BA, M.Div will be leading “Be Still and Know That I Am God”, the Rev. Sheila Flynn will be the Spiritual Director and Diane Bell the Music Leader.

Written by Pip Woodcock