Radical Hope: A Retreat for Ministry Personnel

A four-day retreat for United Church ministry personnel of deep rest, renewal, community, prayer, and self-care.

September 29 – October 2, 2025

Naramata BC

In-Person Only

Our hands imbibe like roots,

so I place them on what is beautiful in this world.

And I fold them in prayer, and they

draw from the heavens

light.

by St Francis of Assisi
interpreted by Daniel Ladinsky

Caring for our relationship with God, our deepest self and our vocation is one of the most responsible choices we can make as clergy - for our ministry, communities of faith, family and, of course, for ourselves.

Join LeaderSHIFT and Pacific Mountain Regional Council Ministry Personnel Support Team in Naramata, Okanagan Syilx territory, this September 29-October 2, 2025.

We invite you to come centre your spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health, in worshipful and grounded community.

Retreat Overview

• Beginning 3pm, Monday, September 29

• Closing 12pm, Thursday, October 2

this ministry personnel retreat is for…

• Supporting your time of learning, reflecting, and rest in private accommodation with all meals, snacks, and course materials provided.

• Sharing times of worship, music and intentional silence, you'll delight in the beauty of place, finding and making fun in the company of colleagues.

• Taking part in optional renewal experiences such as Healing Touch, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Yoga, Forest Bathing/Wild Church, Kettle Valley Railway hike, and Spiritual Direction

Rev. therese descamp - Retreat Facilitator

Therese has been walking personally and professionally into the places where words fail us for most of her life. She has spent 40 years designing and leading retreats, 38 years in 12-step recovery, and 33 years as an ordained minister.

Therese holds a BS in psychology from Portland State University, an MDiv from Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, and a PhD in Biblical Studies with a concentration in cognitive linguistics from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. She has taught graduate school courses in two inter-religious seminaries in spirituality, biblical studies, feminist studies and cognitive linguistics. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ, admitted to the United Church of Canada, and has worked with groups in these churches as well as the Anglican Church, the Episcopal Church, and the Presbyterian Church. Therese has co-taught retreats with a Zen Buddhist priest; co-ministered with a Jewish rabbi; and first learned meditation from a Sufi teacher.  

Therese’s current work includes an evolving form of community spiritual companionship outside the walls of church, but rooted deeply in church, community and Christ. She leads a monthly contemplative group and a prayer group, works as a spiritual director, and serves on the board of The Contemplative Society.

robyn froese -music leadership

Robyn is a professional musician, songwriter, teacher, artist, theologian and dreamer who creates and lives in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Her work reflects her passion for community, social justice, and the power of beauty to bring people together. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Worship Arts from TWU and is completing a Master of Theological Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. When not performing or running songwriting workshops, Robyn serves as a Worship Associate with Becoming Church, a United Church plant in New Westminster, while also supporting University Hill United congregation with administrative work.

Online Registration

• $750 per person single accommodation, $500 shared accommodation

• Registration is via our registration platform, SmartRec. Register now! (https://app.amilia.com/store/en/chinook-pacific-uccan/shop/activities/5378956)

Accommodation & Meals

• Accommodation and all meals are provided.