Forthcoming Retreats
Get a glimpse of the contemplative experiences we are preparing for you. These upcoming retreats are in the planning stages, designed to continue our shared exploration of the Christian Wisdom tradition. Stay connected to be the first to know when registration opens.
Looking to register for current retreats? Click here.
Save the Date
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November 5th, 2026, Online: "Why Ritual? The relationship of stability and openness in contemplative prayer", with Paula Pryce
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December 10th 2026, Online: "The Faces of Mary An Advent Retreat of story and practice", with Gillian Drader, Kellie Brown, Lorie Martin.
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April 22nd 2027, In Person, Vancouver Island: "Tending the Threshold: Drawing on the Wisdom of the Three Marys", with Heather Ruce
Our Facilitators
This retreat is facilitated by Gillian Drader, Lorie Martin, and Kellie Brown — three deeply experienced companions in the contemplative tradition who have hosted retreats together before and collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and pastoral wisdom to this gathering. Lorie Martin is a longtime board member of The Contemplative Society (TCS) and an Anglican priest in Chilliwack, BC, where she runs the Centre for Spiritual Renewal located at St. Thomas Anglican Church. Gillian Drader is also a longtime TCS board member and a holistic therapist, bringing both contemplative and therapeutic gifts to the retreat space. Kellie Brown has long been involved with TCS and currently serves on the retreat committee; she is a student at Vancouver School of Theology (VST) and a theologian. Together, they offer a blend of spiritual direction, theological reflection, and holistic care grounded in years of shared practice and retreat leadership.
The Faces of Mary:
An Advent Retreat of story and practice.
An Online Retreat with Gillian Drader, Kellie Brown, Lorie Martin.
Thursday 10 December 2026, 6:30-8:30pm Pacific Time.
This evening Advent retreat offers time in the collective with the facilitators bringing fascinating facets of Mary. A variety of quiet, stillness, and hands-on practices will emerge from story and heart-felt sharing. The faces, postures, and heart of Mary hold the paradox of waiting; like winter when nothing seems to be happening, but so much is going on beneath first glance. Mary guides us with the art of holding paradox - waiting while much is being prepared to emerge. Together we will deepen into the necessary waiting and wondering of Advent in patient trust with what we can’t “see” - a quiet form of resistance to a culture that speaks of unlimited growth.
Registration opens in October 2026.
"Tending the Threshold:
Drawing on the Wisdom of the Three Marys."
An In-Person and Online Retreat with Heather Ruce.
Thursday 22 April 2027 at 7pm to Sunday 25 April 2027 at 12pm PST.
The in-person retreat will be held on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Details to come.
Heather Ruce
Heather Ruce facilitates Wisdom practice circles, groups, retreats, and schools. She offers teaching and guidance in various embodied Wisdom, contemplative and mindfulness practices including Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, sacred chanting, lectio divina, conscious work, Gurdjieff Exercises and Movements in service of seeing through the heart. Her approach is especially informed by her Masters education in family systems therapy and depth psychology and the teachings of Cynthia Bourgeault in the Christian Wisdom Tradition, Deborah Rose Longo in sacred movements, and Steve Hoskinson in the integration of trauma healing and complexity science through his model Organic Intelligence. Find out more about her at heatherruce.com