Program Brochure

Click here to see our new Centre Programs Throughout The Life Cycle of Ministry brochure!

Click here for the brochure in a poster format.

Upcoming Centre Events

Starting Well Alberta 2013 Rundle's Mission Retreat Centre
November 18th-21st, 2013

Small Church BC 2013 Springbrooke Retreat Centre
April 10th - 11th, 2013

Starting Well Toronto 2013
Toronto School of Theology
June 10th-13th

Starting Well Maritimes 2013
Tatamagouche Centre
June 17th-20th

Take Care Ontario 2013
Crieff Hills Community
Sept 25-27, 2013

Recent Centre Events

Small Church Atlantic 2012 Holiday Inn, Truro NS
October 24th-25th, 2012

Small Church Ontario 2012 Crieff Hills Community
November 8th-9th, 2012

Starting Well 2012
Toronto School of Theology
June 11th-14th

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

From time to time the Centre offers stand-alone events for clergy and others in ministry.

We were privileged to host the Rev. Dr. Arthur Boers from February 25th-26th, 2008 who spoke on the topic of dealing with difficult behaviours within the church. It was a very enriching event with a wide range of participants and several workshops.

Watch for updates and other event offerings in this space.

CENTRE EVENTS THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE OF MINISTRY

Annual Events of the Centre

The Centre has a concern for enhancing and supporting the work of clergy and other ministry professionals through all stages and phases of service. We encourage you to consider which of these programs would be beneficial to you or someone you know.

Centre events are now open to all clergy, diaconal ministers and designated lay ministers of the Christian faith. We value the gift of ecumenism and the opportunities which it offers for learning and understanding.

Starting Well

Starting Well is an event for those who are new to ordained or commissioned ministry. It is an opportunity to reflect on pastoral identity, context, the transition out of seminary and the needs and challenges of the first few years in this role. Time is given for case studies, worship, fellowship and encouragement.

This is a mid-week event with both residential and commuter options. Starting Well runs in a three year cycle of topics. Entry is possible at any of the three years. Starting Well is open to those ordained or commissioned within the last four years or who have attended the event in the previous three years.

Click here for more information about the program and its content and philosophy.

Take Care

Take Care is designed for the middle years of ministry. In the past, various topics have been covered during this residential retreat including issues of mid-life. The goal is to focus on
self-care and well-being in the midst of pastoral ministry.

More information about the program and its history.

Making the Most of Retirement

Since 2006, this event has been offered for clergy who are approaching retirement (within 10 years) or who are newly retired, and their spouses. Typically this is a 3 day, 2 night residential retreat with a commuting option. This event is planned by the same design team as Starting Well and officially became a Centre event in 2007.

Clergy are welcome to come by themselves, but our feedback has shown that those who brought their spouse, whether clergy or lay, found it to be a very important opportunity to explore the issues surrounding retirement together.

Small Church

Beginning in 2012, this event, entitled A Way Forward for the Small Church, is being offered for clergy and congregations whose existence is shaped in rural realities across the country. This is a 2 day, 1 night retreat with a commuting option.

Participants and facilitators have discovered a rich experience of holding this event with small groups from congregations, who are able to articulate and reflect on the particular context of their own community.