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Sisterhood of St. John the Divine
July / August 2018
Have a safe and happy
Canada Day from SSJD!
We have many amazing weekend retreats, quiet Saturdays and special opportunities coming up!  
Click on any of the poster images below to download the poster
to share with your church, family and friends!
As the memories of winter’s snow and ice melt away, the lazy days of summer have finally arrived with a blazing start to the July long weekend. Children rejoice as school is over for another year and parents rush to fit in as many activities as they can into summer break. 

It is great time to celebrate Canada’s 151 st Birthday with family, friends, and food. In the hectic pace of our daily lives, we all need time to stop, rest, and reflect.
 
As Carl Sandburg said, “We must each find time for oneself. Time is what we spend our lives with. If we are not careful we find others spending it for us. . . . It is necessary now and then for one to go away by oneself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask, 'Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?' . . . If one is not careful, one allows diversions to take up one's time—the stuff of life.” 

St. John’s Convent Guest House offers three Quiet Garden Days ( July 14, August 11, and September 15 ) that allow for time for personal reflection. Inspired by the Quiet Garden Trust in England; these are days to relax, renew and rest in the beauty of God’s outdoors, as well as to enjoy the Sisters’ chapel and library. Find answers as you walk the winding path of our labyrinth. In case of rain, there is plenty of space indoors to wander, sit, dream, and pray.
 
All too soon, the late days of summer will be upon us and we will start to look for ways to keep regular activities in our daily lives. Compassionate Chair Yoga is an excellent way to include low-impact exercise into your schedule. No yoga experience is needed to stretch your body, mind, and spirit. Held on alternating Tuesdays, starting September 11 and led by Barb Rosen , certified Kripalu (Compassionate) Yoga Teacher.
 
In late summer, the daylight hours give way to evening; the increased darkness can mirror the emptiness, loneliness, and despair of grief. The Guest House is offering Transforming Grief weekend retreat ( September 28 - 30 ) to help lift the darkness and shine a light on the path as we move forward in our lives. Led by Rev. Max Woolaver , parish priest at St. Andrew’s Grimsby, and graduate of the Shalem program for Spiritual Directors, he will ensure the time together will carry a gentle, sacramental character.
 
St. John’s Convent Guest House welcomes you to come and enjoy the amazing array of colours in our gardens and grounds, a peaceful oasis in the city.
 
~~ Jeanette Strong, Guest House Team
Quiet Garden Days  
Saturday, July 14 
Saturday, August 11
Saturday, September 15
 
Registrations must be RECEIVED one week prior to event.

Inspired by the Quiet Garden Trust in England, these are days to relax, renew, and rest in the beauty of God's outdoors, as well as to enjoy the Sisters' chapel and library.

In case of rain, there is plenty of space indoors to wander, sit, dream, and pray.

We begin with a brief time of prayer; then a Sister will offer suggestions on how to use the day. The rest of the morning is yours.

The Eucharist is celebrated at noon, followed by dinner, and the afternoon is again free, with a brief gathering at 3:30 pm when you will have the option of sharing the fruits of the day followed by a closing time of prayer.
     
Click here for more details.
Compassionate Chair Yoga
 
Alternate Tuesdays
  • starting September 11

Join us in a practice of compassion for your body, mind and spirit. Wear loose comfortable clothing suitable for the Yoga practice.

  • 10:30 am to 1:15 pm
  • 1 Hour Yoga practice followed by service of Holy Eucharist at Noon and Dinner (10:30 am to 1:15 pm).

Recommended donation for each session: $38 ($20 for Yoga practice, and $18 for dinner: the portion for the Yoga practice will go as an unreceipted donation to the Sisterhood.) Payable by personal cheque or cash only.
 
Led by Barb Rosen , a certified Kripalu (Compassionate) Yoga Teacher
Weekend Retreat     
     
Transforming Grief

September 28 - 30  

Grief is transformative; of that, there is no doubt. Yet, because of the suffering that attends the grief experience, we shrink from its embrace. In so doing, we miss much of what the Body of Christ has to offer us by way of guidance, sustenance and companionship in our suffering.

As grief itself is transformational, we seek the guidance of the Spirit in transforming our experience of grief.

Our time together will carry a gentle, sacramental character. Guided by a unique perspective on the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, we will enfold our life experience with Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, particularly St. John of the Cross, silence and song.
We pray that our time together will secure for us not only a methodology for future practice but a refreshing and grounding experience of Grace.


Led by The Rev. Max Woolaver , parish priest at St. Andrew’s, Grimsby

Click here for more details.
Individually Directed Retreat  
Tuesday-Thursday, October 2-4, 2018  see here »

A Heart's Journey - A Sacred Journey      
October 12-14, 2018 (Monica Brown & Hilary Musgrave)  see here »  
 
A Celtic Well of Wisdom SORRY - FULL BOOKED!
November 2-4, 2018 (J. Philip Newell)  see here »  
 
J. Philip Newell - EVENING LECTURE & BOOK SIGNING
November 2, 2018 7PM see here »


Click here   to see all scheduled upcoming opportunities! 
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