Adversity in Advent:

the political, the pastoral, and the prophetic

Advent can be a spiritually fertile season, with all of the programmes and ritual that anticipate the wonder of Christmas. But the conditions of that first Advent were not characterised by a mounting excitement. God’s people were, rather, full of tension and worry. Our reflections will explore some of the roots of their sense of adversity and how these continue to find expression in the Church’s wistful longing for a better world. Our time together will hopefully help equip you as you prepare to preach through Advent.

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Guest Presenter: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Andrews is the Principal and Helliwell Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Wycliffe College. Prior to that, he was Bishop of Algoma, and before that President and Vice-Chancellor of Thorneloe University, Sudbury. He was ordained in the Diocese of Nova Scotia in 1986 and went on to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University in 1995. Dr. Andrews was the Rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Alban the Martyr and Dean of the Diocese of Saskatchewan, in Prince Albert, where he was also Principal of the James Settee College for Ministry, a training initiative for First Nations’ church leaders.       

Agenda: As is our custom, the retreat will begin at 10:00am on Monday with registration and coffee, and we will have an opening presentation before lunch. We will conclude at 2:30pm on the Tuesday afternoon, following the same schedule as has been used in previous years. Monday afternoon is free time for personal rest and recreation until 4:30pm. During that time, the Bishop will be available for 1/2-hour private conversations. Accommodation and meals are provided. Ms. Val Clarke will be making her debut as our retreat facilitator.

Registration Deadline: Friday September 14, 2018.

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Who can attend: This event is open to all paid Clergy in the York-Credit Valley Area.

What it costs: There is no registration fee; the retreat is fully funded from the Area Council budget. No-shows and groundless cancellations may be subject to charges.

Confirmation emails and further information about the retreat will be sent to the email address you provide when you register online. Be sure that it is an account you access regularly.