Heart's Rest

This Facebook page is an invitation to journey by heart guided by the pulse of Love that draws all into being. We are indebted to our spiritual traditions, particularly The United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ; however, we welcome all to the journey and are enriched by those doing the work of the heart.

Maybe, the best way to know Heart's Rest is to get a sense of what we've been up to in the past few years. Retreats relating to spirituality and the environment began our work several years ago - a combination of field trips, reflection, meditation, and prayer. The "Work That Reconnects" brought a Joanna Macy leader to support those concerned about the environment in dealing with a sometimes sense of hopelessness. Alanna Mitchell, an award winning writer from Toronto on the threat to our oceans led another retreat as part of our "Convergence Series." Alanna had this to say about her time with us:
"I just wanted to thank you so much for the astounding level of inspiration I found during the weekend. I have been talking about ever since . . . I found myself amazed at how deeply the concepts of faith, hope and forgiveness infused the weekend. I can't recall ever before spending so much time and energy and creativity on those concepts in one concentrated time and place. I think we created a see end . . .that will live on." Alanna Mitchell 2013

The Convergence Series brings together widely varied streams of intellectual and spiritual knowledge within the context of open-heartedness. The next one is planned for 2016.

Heart's Rest also offers Therese's column "Still Points", a series of short reflections to get us thinking and open our hearts and sometimes move us to laughter. All back issues are available on the website.

Heart's Rest works with our local United Church to explore what ministry looks like outside the box. With only six members, the church partners with Heart's Rest to find creative ways to be in the community, like our spiritual lending library in a local gift store, like some of the retreats we've organized to build community up and down our valley through the "Power of Place" retreats led by The Center for Whole Communities in Vermont.

Look for an upcoming worship not so worship opportunity for all in the community starting in October in a local restaurant on one the days it's closed. Music, conversation, soup/salad supper put on by the sustainable food folks in our community, and a time at the local youth drop in centre for children to sing while the adults go deep. It's called "A Wide Spot in the Road". Stay tuned!

In September 2015, a retreat at a nearby ashram is scheduled that centers on the work of Teilhard de Chardin. There is also a monthly Contemplative Day that uses Lectio Divina meditation on Scripture, provides wide spaces for silence and a time to creatively encounter the heart which finishes with communion.

Let us know how we can help you or your community do the work of the heart and encounter the Holy that shimmers in all of creation.