The Ontario Generous Space Retreat has consistently been a life-giving and transformational event. This year, as we intentionally considered our theme of friendship, we once again encountered the richness of God’s presence with us, and the encouragement and hope of deep connection with each other. As I entered the new venue, I met some of…
DetailsAs the Ontario GS community prepares to gather for our 6th annual Ontario Generous Space Retreat (OGSR), we’re inviting our retreat participants and the broader GS community into some of our team’s reflections on this year’s theme: friendship. Our first reflection was by our E.D., Wendy VanderWal-Gritter. Our second reflection was from our Director of Community,…
DetailsAs the Ontario GS community prepares to gather for our 6th annual Ontario Generous Space Retreat (OGSR), we’re inviting our retreat participants and the broader GS community into some of our team’s reflections on this year’s theme: friendship. Our first reflection was by our E.D., Wendy VanderWal-Gritter. This reflection is from our Director of Community, Beth…
DetailsAs the Ontario GS community prepares to gather for our 6th annual Ontario Generous Space Retreat (OGSR), we’re inviting our retreat participants and the broader GS community into some of our team’s reflections on this year’s theme: friendship. Our first reflection is by our E.D., Wendy VanderWal-Gritter: It wasn’t long after the last Ontario Generous Space…
DetailsIn our Generous Space Groups across Canada, we open our meetings with a vision statement about “seeking the unity for which Jesus prayed.” We know our deep need of one another, even when we disagree – we see tensions as opportunities to learn to love across difference. Lately, we’ve seen tensions surface not so much…
DetailsOver the last few months, I had the privilege of joining several other Generous Space community members in auditing a course taught by Sylvia Keesmat entitled “Justice in the Biblical Story” at Wycliffe College. Sylvia, and her partner, Brian Walsh, host our annual Generous Space CampOUT at their farm in Cameron, Ontario. What follows are my…
DetailsGenerous Space Retreats include moments of resonance as we share our stories with one another. There’s something incredible about that ‘aha’ moment when you hear another person share a question, a fear, a doubt, or an experience that you are intimately acquainted with – it makes you feel less alone. At the 2017 West Coast…
DetailsOne of the most challenging but most significant spiritual lessons I have had to learn is that of relinquishment. This is not a new thought of course. I’m sure we have all been encouraged in some form to learn how to let go, to become enlarged in our capacity to cultivate acceptance. Some of you…
DetailsA couple of weeks ago, Wendy wrote a blog post about mixed-orientation marriages in the Generous Space Community. (Mixed-orientation marriages (MOMs) usually include one spouse who is straight, and one who is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.) In Wendy’s blog post, she acknowledged that there is no single “right” path for MOMs. There are all kinds…
DetailsFrom May 24 – 27th we will be holding our Ontario Generous Space Retreat at Trent University. This year’s theme will be: friendship. Human beings are hard-wired for relationship and to long for deep connection and intimacy. When we experience true friendship we are grateful. When friends wound us the pain goes very deep. In…
DetailsRecently a very poignant blog post was shared by the poster couple for mixed orientation marriages after a viral post five years ago. This recent post announces their intention to divorce. The post is long, but worth the read. On social media, it has elicited all kinds of opinions and responses. In the Generous Space…
DetailsGenerous Space Retreats are highlighted with many moments of resonance as we share our stories with one another. There’s something incredible about that ‘aha’ moment when you hear another person share a question, a fear, a doubt, or an experience that you are intimately acquainted with – it makes you feel less alone. At the…
DetailsLast fall, Generous Space partnered with a Christian agency, Shalem Mental Health Network, to put on a one day conference entitled, “LGBTQ+, Mental Health, and Faith.” After many months of planning, we were excited to offer a co-learning experience that brought LGBTQ+ individuals, parents, practitioners, pastors, social workers, and educators together to address the stigma, assumptions, and stereotypes that…
DetailsFor the 4 Sundays of Advent this year, I’m focusing on Luke chapter one up until Mary’s Song. The first week, we looked at Zechariah. The second week, Mary. Last week, Elizabeth. And now we’ll conclude our Advent reflections with Mary’s Song. Mary’s Song: The Journey to Justice Read: Luke 1: 46 – 55 Angels…
DetailsFor the 4 Sundays of Advent this year, I’m focusing on Luke chapter one up until Mary’s Song. The first week, we looked at Zechariah. Last week, Mary. This week, Elizabeth. And we’ll conclude our Advent reflections with Mary’s Song. Elizabeth: From Shame to Blessing Read: Luke 1: 39 – 45 In our first reflection,…
DetailsFor the 4 Sundays of Advent this year, I’m focusing on Luke chapter one up until Mary’s Song. Last week, we looked at Zechariah. This week, Mary. Third week, Elizabeth. And then we’ll conclude our Advent reflections with Mary’s Song. Mary: Questions Energize Faith Read: Luke 1: 26 – 38 Gabriel’s visit to Mary finds…
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