Welcome to Spirit River Community - A Retreat Centre Without Walls
The South Saskatchewan River flows through the Canadian prairies, bringing life and beauty. In a similar way, the Spirit flows through our lives, bringing curiosity, hope, comfort, and creativity.
In the spirit of Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre, where for more than 65 years people gathered on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River for group and personal retreats, workshops, and conferences, we gather together online and in person to listen, explore, pray, learn, heal, and grow. This retreat centre closed its doors in August 2024, but the community which formed over the years continues to be vibrant and engaged, and new participants are warmly welcome.
Welcome to the SRC website. Thank you for your interest as a 'retreat centre without walls' begins to take shape. 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. ​
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Currently, presentations are only 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.
See you soon!
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Peace to you,
Sarah Donnelly, M.Div.
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Upcoming Events
Waiting in the In-Between: A Spiritual Journey Through Change
Kalyn Falk, M.A.
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Tuesday, April 8
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. CDT ​​
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(note: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. for folks living in SK)
1:00 PDT / 2:00 MDT / 3:00 CDT / 4:00 EDT / 5:00 ADT
How do we move from what was to what will be? This workshop invites participants to explore the experience of disorientation, transition, and change through the lens of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. This is a time to honor what has been, sit with the unknown, and open ourselves to new possibilities.
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A recording of this presentation will be sent to all who register. $50 CAD
Green Burials: Your Legacy - and a Gift to the Planet
Richard Rosin
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Tuesday, May 6
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. CDT ​​
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(note: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. for folks living in SK)
12:00 PDT / 1:00 MDT / 2:00 CDT / 3:00 EDT / 4:00 ADT
Many of us have spent our lives reducing our impact on our planet, from recycling and composting to lobbying and keeping our lawns chemical free. Natural Green Burials (how we have taken care of our dead long before there was a funeral industry) is the 'traditional' form of burial, practiced by many cultures and growing in popularity worldwide. Our environmental legacy lives on long after our hearts stop beating. We have much to do to prepare. This workshop will take a refreshing look at this topic.
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A recording of this presentation will be sent to all who register. No fee for Growing in Wisdom participants. $50 CAD for general public.
Dreams: Gifts of Wisdom, Insight, and Guidance
James Schmeiser, PhD
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Wednesday, May 7
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. MDT ​​
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(note: 11:00 a.m. start for folks living in SK)
10:00 PDT / 11:00 MDT / 12:00 CDT / 1:00 EDT / 2:00 ADT
Suppose someone told you that there was something [someone] that/who was available to you every night, that/who presented you with the truth about your own life and inner being, a truth that was tailor-made to your individual needs and particular life-story, that offered to guide you throughout your lifetime, and connect you with a source of wisdom far beyond yourself. And, to pursue this even further, that this gift would be given not only for personal insight, but for an awareness and guidance for the larger community.
Historical studies indicate the significance of dreams in the spiritual life of our ancestors. They were valued as a source of wisdom. Within the Hebrew and Christian Bible, dreams were experienced as communications from God - on the same level of significance as the Bible itself. Throughout the early history of the last 20 centuries, dreams continue to be revered. However, with the passage of time, the insights and support that were present in dreams have been relegated to the inconsequential. Rather than being attentive to one’s inner wisdom, the focus shifted to the wisdom of others - leaders - be they religious or social. As well, rationalistic materialism became a basic reference point, and from that perspective dreams do not have any significance in the search for wisdom. As such, institutions took over the potential wisdom of the individual. Rather than basing the foundation of a community on the wisdom and insights of each person, affirmation was given exclusively to collectivized beliefs, rituals, and traditions, presented by and focused on those in places of authority.
In our gathering, we will consider the wisdom that is given to us all - every night - and learn how to honour these dreams and consider various ways of deepening our understanding of them.
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Access to a recording of this presentation will be sent to all who register. $50 CAD
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Photo credit: Photo by Alexander Park on Unsplash
Rooted in Love: Navigating a Coup Without Losing Heart
Kalyn Falk, M.A.
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Tuesday, May 13
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. CDT ​​
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(note: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. for folks living in SK)
1:00 PDT / 2:00 MDT / 3:00 CDT / 4:00 EDT / 5:00 ADT
This workshop will explore practices for staying spiritually grounded in times of global uncertainty. Through reflection, discussion, and embodied practices, we will explore how love, connection, and intentional care can sustain us through empathy fatigue, burnout, and the search for purpose in uncertain times.
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Access to a recording of this presentation will be sent to all who register. $50 CAD
Photo credit: Photo by RODRIGO GONZALEZ on Unsplash
Free-Form, Intuitive Mandala Making for Well-being
Jean Epp-Gauthier
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Tuesday, May 20
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. CDT ​​
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(note: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. for folks living in SK)
12:00 PDT / 1:00 MDT / 2:00 CDT / 3:00 EDT / 4:00 ADT
What are mandalas? The mandala is a circular motif. The word mandala means center, circumference or “magic circle” and expresses wholeness. For thousands of years, the mandala has been used as an art form worldwide, especially to express the sacred. It is a powerful symbol and a tool for meditation, insight, healing, and even transformation. Mandala creation enhances well-being and can be an avenue to self-exploration.
This course is limited to 10 participants. In this workshop participants will be introduced to mandalas, set an intention or theme for their mandala, have the time to create, and then enjoy some time for (optional) interpretation and sharing - to explore mandala symbolism, choice of colour and forms, and glean possible meaning and insights your mandalas may have for you.
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Access to a recording of this presentation (but not personal sharing) will be sent to all who register. $50 CAD
Ongoing Classes
The Soul of a Pilgrim:
Eight Practices for the
Journey Within
Sarah Donnelly and Nancy Phillips
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Eight Thursdays, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. CDT
March 6 & 20, April 3 & 24, May 1 & 15, June 5 & 19
One chapter each session​​
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2:00 PDT / 3:00 MDT / 4:00 CDT / 5:00 EDT / 6:00 ADT
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Registration now closed. However, if you would like to receive a copy of the recordings, and participate in future classes, please send an email to SpiritRiverSK@outlook.com. Registration fee remains $50/8 sessions.
An eight-part book study. The renowned author and abbess of the online retreat center Abbey of the Arts, Christine Valters Paintner takes readers on a new kind of an inner journey to discover the heart of God. Eight stages of the pilgrim's way - from hearing the call to coming home - are accompanied by scripture stories of great biblical journeys and the author's unique and creative practices of prayer, writing, and photography. ​
March 6 - The Practice of Hearing the Call and Responding
March 20 - The Practice of Packing Lightly
April 3 - The Practice of Crossing the Threshold
April 24 - The Practice of Making the Way by Walking
May 1 - The Practice of Being Uncomfortable
May 15 - The Practice of Beginning Again
June 5 - The Practice of Embracing the Unknown
June 19 - The Practice of Coming Home
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A recording of each session will be sent to all who register. No fee for Growing in Wisdom participants. $50 CAD for general public.
Down the River...
The following presentations will be offered in the coming months - mark your calendars!
Near Death Experiences - Hope, Hypoxia and Hypothesis - Rev. David Maginley
​Tuesday, June 3, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. MDT on Zoom
Befriending Shame: How to be Present to the Feeling We Most Want to Avoid - Janelle Schneider
​Tuesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT on Zoom
Praying in Colour - Kathy Berken
​Tuesday, June 17, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT on Zoom
Paul the Apostle: From Tribal Zealot to Global Disciple - Sr. Teresita Kambeitz OSU
Saturdays, September 27, October 25, November 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Three Seeds of Ecological Spirituality - Shawn Sanford Beck
​Workshop 1 of 2
Tuesday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT on Zoom
Kything: Communion with the More-Than-Human World - Shawn Sanford Beck
Workshop 2 of 2
Tuesday, November 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST on Zoom
Whole Care for Health Care Professionals Part 1:
Nurturing Body, Mind, Heart, & Spirit in Chaotic Times - Karen Scott Barss
Tuesday, November 18, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST on Zoom
Whole Care for Health Care Professionals Part 2:
Nurturing Our Relationships & Communities in Daily Practice - Karen Scott Barss
Tuesday, November 25, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST on Zoom
Befriending Winter: Practices for Cultivating Delight - Rev. Caroline Penhale Lukacs
​Tuesday, November 20, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST on Zoom