The South Saskatchewan River flows through the heart of Saskatoon, SK. Photo: Sarah Donnelly
Welcome to Spirit River Community - A Retreat Centre Without Walls
Our Mission Statement: Creating sacred spaces for thoughtful conversation, building warm connections, and welcoming transformational learning.
Many rivers flow through the Canadian prairies, bringing life and beauty. In a similar way, the Spirit flows through our lives, bringing curiosity, hope, comfort, and creativity.
Welcome to the SRC website. Thank you for your interest as a 'retreat centre without walls' continues to take shape. To learn more about the initial concept for this retreat centre, please click on the 'About SRC' page above. I'm convinced that with the guidance of thoughtful and prayerful facilitators, meaningful connections can be formed and nurtured online. I invite you to subscribe to the Spirit River Community e-newsletter to be informed about our upcoming presenters – please see the bottom of this webpage to subscribe.
With the exception of a gathering being offered in Manitou Beach, SK Canada in June, all presentations are being offered on Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to you following your registration for a program. If the presentation is recorded, a copy of this recording will be sent to you to watch/review following the event.
Almost all of our past workshops have been recorded, and access to these presentations can be purchased by visiting the 'Shop' page on this website. Many have been discounted - enjoy!
Finally, Brian Pearson was kind enough to invite me to share some of my spiritual journey on his podcast, Mystic Cave. His thoughtful questions drew out stories and memories which I am pleased to share with you here. Below is a link to his blog, and after reading this you will see the link to the podcast:
https://www.brianepearson.ca/post/purgation-to-illumination
See you soon - peace to you,
Sarah Donnelly, M.Div.
Upcoming Events
Faith at the Edges:
The Mysterious Ways of Soul
Brian E. Pearson
Wednesday, May 6
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. MDT
9:00 PDT / 10:00 MDT (includes SK) / 11:00 CDT / 12:00 EDT / 1:00 ADT
There is nothing clear and simple about faith. The Bible purports to have answers, but often contradicts itself. The church assumes the authority of interpreting the will of God, but then shamelessly entangles God’s interests with its own. Personal faith launches us upon a journey of discovery that may reflect our religious allegiances, but it ultimately demands that we... (learn more)
Living the Virtues:
Reclaiming Wholeness from What Distorts Us
Kalyn Falk, M.A.
Two Tuesdays, May 12 & 19
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. MDT
12:00 PDT / 1:00 MDT (includes SK) / 2:00 CDT / 3:00 EDT / 4:00 ADT
Many of us have learned to think about virtue through the lens of perfectionism—something we’re supposed to perform flawlessly to be “good enough.” But what if virtue isn’t about achievement or moral striving, but about alignment, healing, and growth? What if the true sign of virtue is not how well we behave, but what kind of fruit our inner life begins to bear?
In this two-part workshop, we’ll explore nine inner distortions—including the traditional “seven deadly sins” along with fear and deceit—not as shameful failings, but as wounded responses to deep human longing. For each distortion, we’ll reflect on a corresponding healing virtue, and the spiritual fruit it can grow in us when nurtured over time... (learn more)
Book Study: Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years
Author: Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Book Study Facilitator: Sarah Donnelly, M.Div.
Four Wednesdays, May 13, 20, 27 & June 3
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. MDT
12:00 PDT / 1:00 MDT (includes SK) / 2:00 CDT / 3:00 EDT / 4:00 ADT
A four-week book study, featuring this highly anticipated conclusion to Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s spiritual classics, The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire. Each book study will include a review of the material and lots of time for small group sharing. Facilitated by Sarah Donnelly, Fr. Ron will join the first three book studies if he is available, and will join us for the last hour of the June 3 book study for questions and conversation.
Each phase of life presents us with its own unique opportunity to connect with God and to bless those around us -even and perhaps especially in those later decades when careers, raising kids, and mortgage payments are behind us. So argues beloved author Ronald Rolheiser. During life’s first years, we embark on a search for meaning and discover in ourselves a profound, unquenchable thirst for the Divine. And when we reach adulthood, we realize that we are called to give our lives away - to our spouses, children, careers, friends, and neighbors in need. But in the end, we must learn to let it all go... (learn more)
Take Time to Forgive
Sr. Teresita Kambeitz OSU
Thursday, May 28
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. MDT
12:00 PDT / 1:00 MDT (includes SK) / 2:00 CDT / 3:00 EDT / 4:00 ADT
Repeated:
Saturday, May 30
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. MDT
9:00 PDT / 10:00 MDT (includes SK) / 11:00 CDT / 12:00 EDT / 1:00 ADT
With the aid of visuals, stories and reflection times, we will consider five stages in the process of forgiveness and the importance of taking prayerful time for the process to raise awareness about ourselves, God, and others. We will also reflect on five styles of forgiveness and the meaning and benefits of forgiveness.
learn more about May 28 workshop here
Kything: Communion with the More-Than-Human World
Shawn Sanford Beck, M.Div.
Tuesday, June 2
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. MDT
9:00 PDT / 10:00 MDT (includes SK) / 11:00 CDT / 12:00 EDT / 1:00 ADT
This workshop will not be recorded, and so welcomes only those who are able to participate on Zoom at the time it is being offered. Registration is limited to 10 participants. Participants are asked to have taken Shawn’s ‘Three Seeds of Ecological Spirituality’ workshop prior to taking this workshop.
Kything is a "psycho-spiritual technology" inspired by the fiction of Madeleine L'Engle and developed by the priest and psychologist team of Louis M. Savary and Patricia H. Berne almost 40 years ago. In this new revision of the technique by GreenSpirit Chaplain Shawn Sanford Beck, you will explore the theory and experience the practice of using your deep imagination to engage with the more-than-human persons of the green world around you. Remember: Creation is always speaking; it is often we who are not listening. Kything will help you rectify that situation...learn more
Getting Comfortable with Grief
Joyce Aitken, RMA, CMC
Thursday, June 4
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. MDT
10:00 PDT / 11:00 MDT (includes SK) / 12:00 CDT / 1:00 EDT / 2:00 ADT
If you are grieving a loss or if you have ever struggled with knowing how to respond to someone else’s loss, this workshop is a gentle conversation about grief. Joyce’s connection, kindness and understanding holds space for people in all stages of grief with validation and reassurance that they are not alone. Some of the topics discussed in this conversation will include:
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Societal attitudes about grief
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How we can find healing in grief
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How we care for children experiencing grief
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How we address pet grief
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How to work with our guilt and regret
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Practical suggestions for providing compassionate support to others who are grieving
Joyce’s book, Sincere Condolences: What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say, was included in Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s top recommended books for 2022 as an honourable mention. Fr. Ron wrote:
That’s ten books, but there’s an honorable mention: Joyce Aitken, Sincere Condolences: What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say. Aitken lost her husband to suicide and found that...learn more
Creation and Creativity:
A Day Out at Watrous-Manitou, SK
Shelly Manley-Tannis and Shawn Sanford Beck
Tuesday, June 9
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration is limited to 10 participants - this is an in-person gathering
Join Rev. Shelly and Chaplain Shawn for a day of natural beauty, eco-spiritual exploration, and generative creativity. We’ll be delving into the mysteries of Christian Animism and Kything (in both theory and practice) as well as engaging our inherent gifts of creativity and artistic expression in relationship with God’s beloved world. You can look forward to some gentle walking, enjoyment of the charming Wellington Park, and exploration of the Labyrinth, as well as the hospitality of the North Green - Rev. Shelly’s retreat space... (learn more)
Growing in Wisdom:
Seeking Deeper Generativity
Registration is now open for this exciting two-year program - offered on Zoom - during which participants explore the Spirituality of Aging in community.
Learn more by visiting the website, and watching two informational videos.
This program beings in September 2026. We invite all interested participants to apply for the program prior to June 1, if possible
Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity is an ecumenical program, grounded in the mystical Christian Tradition, open to learning from other interfaith and spiritual traditions, and designed for those seeking to engage in their maturing years with wisdom and grace. It is a program that welcomes participants who have the time, interest and energy to engage in a dynamic two-year adventure of learning and exploration. This is a time in which we can begin to look back on the life we have lived and find openness to new or previously undeveloped inner vistas. In this program we explore what is most fruitful and life-giving for us, especially as we age, and what a maturing relationship with God (by whatever name you use) could look like. Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity invites you to explore how you might commit yourself to giving both your life and your death to the world, in a way that both are the ultimate gift and blessing you give to others.
Down the River...
Additional workshops and retreats being offered in the fall and winter months will be posted in the coming weeks. Stay tuned - and thanks for subscribing to the SRC newsletter!