Chinook Winds Region Ministry Personnel Retreat

hosted by LeaderShift and Chinook Winds Regional Council

February 9-12, 2025

Sanctum retreat centre, caroline, ab

Established in 2004, Sanctum is a unique facility of service – of spacious and simple elegance – nestled on a pristine 100-acre parcel of woodlands and open fields, with a spring-fed river flowing through it. The retreat grounds are a blend of groomed trails and mature forest inviting exploration.

In-person only

Escape the winter chill and join your colleagues for a rejuvenating experience that will reconnect you with God, your calling, the earth, and your truest self. Come and be refreshed and empowered, and leave with a personalized plan for your own flourishing and well-being in ministry.

Retreat Overview

• Sunday, February 9 at 4 pm til Wednesday, February 12 at 2 pm

This retreat is going to be very different from many others you might have been on. We aren’t asking you for leadership and we aren’t going to give you ten things to make you a better minister. Rather we want this to be a time to connect with colleagues and friends; to fed in worship, maybe take time for a hike in the snow or even just sit by the fire and read.

We want to create space for you to connect with God, yourself, and one another. In the past few years, you have been asked to hold up your congregations, your communities, and your families through unprecedented times, and now it is time for you to spend a little time healing and connecting. It’s time to focus on nurturing you and your soul, rebuilding your connection with the Divine. So come and join us on this retreat and lets flourish together.

The Chinook winds region ministry personnel retreat will include:

• exploring issues impacting clergy, and what belonging, healing and wellbeing look like for us as ministry leaders

• enjoying restorative activities together, including time in nature

• creating a personal development plan for wellness and flourishing in ministry

• beautiful worship and singing

• strengthening our relationships as ministry leaders

Rev. L.M. “ribbons” harris

Rev. Ribbons Harris is the Founder and Executive Director of The Parsonage Project, which provides clergy resources to build resiliency, unite and care for their communities, and provide safe space for clergy to rest and recuperate as they consider their next steps in ministry.

Rev. Harris holds an MTS in theology and ethics from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a BSLS in psychology and history from Excelsior. She has expertise in critical incident stress management, and psychological first aid.

Rev. Dr. Karen Medland

Karen is the Pastoral Relations Minister for Chinook Winds Regional Council. Karen was born and raised in Scotland where she received her BA in Social Sciences with Public Policy. When she moved to Canada with her family in the 1990’s she became involved in the local United Church and eventually went to Vancouver School of Theology for her MDiv. After serving in congregations for over 15 years, Karen then served on the Office of Vocation team, and now as the Pastoral Relations Minister. Karen is particularly interested in the impact of personal and community trauma on the church and its leaders. 

rev. michelle slater

Michelle is the Regional Minister for LeaderShift, for Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Councils. With 25 years of congregational ministry experience, she is passionate about creating opportunities for ministry leaders to be encouraged, supported and inspired, and to reconnect with their deepest calling.

Online Registration

• $250 per person (single accommodation)

• $200 per person (shared/double accommodation) - use discount code LSDOUBLE at registration checkout

• Registration is via our registration platform, SmartRec. Register now! (Chinook Winds Ministry Personnel Retreat | Event Registration | Chinook Winds & Pacific Mountain Regions UCCan Store (amilia.com))

• Subsidies available to make this retreat accessible to all paid accountable ministry personnel

Registration closes Friday, January 24, 2025.

Accommodation, Meals, Travel

Registration fee includes all meals and accommodation. Let us know if you’d like to carpool with someone, and we will connect you if we can!