Join us for a weekend retreat as we experience the subversive wisdom and fierce compassion of the feminine mystics across cultural boundaries and spiritual traditions. Discover your own inner mystic as you open to the stories of both ancient and modern-day mystics.

Throughout the weekend, participants will explore the essence of these teachings through practices such as:

• embodied wisdom connecting movement, music, breath, and stillness
• meditation and quiet reflection in nature
• contemplative prayer in both solitude and community
• active imagination using dreams, imagery, scripture, and poetry.

Connect to the natural stream of wisdom that flows through all life and allow it to integrate the fullness of our humanity with the truth of our divinity—revealing the love that ignites the sacred fire deep within our souls.

The retreat will be facilitated by Teresa Hanlon and Vickie MacArthur, with Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Program Director, serving as retreat director.

For more information and to register:

Join us at Hills of Peace Campground, June 19–21, for a women’s retreat celebrating the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. Centered on the theme Summer Solstice: Where Spirit and Soul Meet, this weekend invites participants to gather for connection, reflection, and shared experience in a beautiful natural setting.

As we move from spring to summer, we will explore the seasons and cycles of Soul and Spirit—two aspects of our human experience that are often used interchangeably, yet offer unique ways of understanding how we connect with the depth and breadth of God’s love. Our souls nurture our being like seeds in the earth, while our spirits rise and expand as we experience inspiration and the movement of God’s Spirit within us.

Throughout the weekend, we will engage in meaningful conversations, spiritual practices, poetry, nature walks, creative activities, and shared meals. Together, we will return to the question: how do Soul and Spirit work within each one of us?

The ministers for the retreat are Lanette Vawter, Director of Leadership Development, and Vickie MacArthur, with Lisa Neudorf serving as retreat director.​

Registration fee: $175
Registration deadline: June 8
Inquiries: Contact [email protected]

Join us for a women’s retreat at Ziontario campground, June 5–7, a time to slow down, release, reflect, and revitalize. Centered on the theme Nurturing the Light Within, this weekend offers space to share meaningful connection, enjoy quiet moments, and gather in a supportive and welcoming community.

​Let’s gather in the community of women—sharing fun, meaningful connection and quiet moments. Together, we will create a circle of encouragement, laughter, and spiritual renewal, a welcoming space to breathe and be.

Apostle Shannon McAdam will serve as guest minister for the retreat.

General inquiries: Contact Martha Tettenborn at [email protected]

Registration Deadline: May 26
Registration inquiries: Contact Laura MacKinnon at [email protected]

Camps and retreats are beginning across our campgrounds as we prepare for an exciting 2026 camping season across Canada. Below are the first upcoming opportunities through June, with more events to follow in the months ahead. Each campground will host additional programs later in the season. Visit the links at the end of this article to view the full schedule for each site.

Samish Island — Work Week (Apr 26–May 3)

• A week of volunteer projects including cabin renovations, landscaping, cleaning, and carpentry.
• Free food and accommodations provided.
• Contact: [email protected]

Ziontario — Camp Clean Up (May 30–31)

• Help prepare the campground for the season. Volunteer hours and free overnight lodging available.
• Saturday 9 am–6 pm. Games and movie night.
• Sunday worship and potluck.
• Contact: Becky Grigsby text 519-212-9844

Ziontario — Women’s Retreat(June 5–7)

• Theme: Nurturing the Light Within
• A time to slow down, release,reflect and revitalize. Share fun, meaningful connection, and quiet moments. Together we will create a circle of encouragement, laughter and spiritual renewal. 
• Guest ministry: Apostle Shannon McAdam
• Fees information and Registration
• Registration Inquiries: Laura MacKinnon [email protected]
• General Inquiries: Martha Tettenborn [email protected]

​​
Hills of Peace — Camp Opening Weekend (June 5–7)

• Help prepare the campground for the season with projects for all ages and skill levels.
• Contact: Caitlin Ahlstrom at [email protected]

Hills of Peace — Women’s Retreat  (June 19–21)

• Theme: Summer Solstice: Where Spirit and Soul Meet
• Join us in the beauty of Hills of Peace Campground for a weekend of connection and fellowship. 
• Registration Fee: $175
• Registration form
• For more information contact Lisa Neudorf at [email protected]

Ziontario — Loaves and Fishes Family Camp (June 27–July 3)

• Theme: Become a blessing—living the Mission Prayer as a way of life.
• A week of shared worship, rest, and play in an inclusive, intergenerational community.
• Directors: Nancy & Scott Brookshaw, Kelsey & Alex Paul Shantz.
• Registrar: Shannon Brown at [email protected] or 519-616-1995
• Download registration form 

For more information and additional opportunities visit our camping pages

Food systems shape far more than what’s on our plates—they also play a significant role in climate change. The April climate webinar, hosted by the North American Climate Justice Team, invites participants to explore how what we eat, how food is produced, and how we shop all affect both our health and the environment.

Presenter Sally Eales, an educator in human and environmental sciences with a background in home economics, will share insights into food systems and their connection to greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on personal experience and practical approaches to stewardship, she will explore ways to reduce food waste, make informed choices about food sources, and consider how everyday decisions can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom

By Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications

It was Lent. We were following the Passion account in the Gospel of John. Steve Thompson, from the Edmonton congregation, was our preacher. Before the sermon, and with a big smile on his face—like that of a child about to do mischief—Steve took a moment to ask: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” I’m sure the question surprised at least a few of those gathered for worship that day, but everyone was certainly intrigued by it.

During the sermon, Steve explained that we can’t really understand “anything going on during the ministry of Jesus without understanding at least a little bit about the Roman Empire.” In the stories about Jesus that our four evangelists wrote we hear about injustice, marginalization, and suffering caused by the overarching reality of Empire.

When theologians speak of Empire—without an article—we do not only refer to the Roman Empire. Rather, Empire refers to systems of power that normalize economic inequality and sustain a status quo in which large segments of the population are marginalized and oppressed. The ministry of Jesus was a direct challenge to Empire 2,000 years ago. And although Empire may not look the same after all these years, it is still a reality in our lives today.

This question inspired Apostle Shannon McAdam to talk about Empire during her Easter sermon a few weeks later. What do Holy Week and Easter have to do with Empire? Below is an excerpt from her sermon exploring John 20:1–18, which is the World Church’s suggested lectionary scripture for this Sunday, April 5, 2026. Shannon begins by addressing Steve’s question, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”

        For me, I’d say it is at least weekly. It is Empire that was
        oppressing the average person in Jesus’ time, Empire that
        was doing its best to corrupt the Jewish leaders, Empire that
        was reshaping industry and changing the job market. Sound
        ​familiar? It was Empire that crucified Jesus. 

In the gospels Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God. In the original Greek this is “Basileia tou Theou.” The word “basileia” is the same word used to refer to an empire, including the Roman Empire. As odd as it may sound to us, Jesus was talking about the “Empire of God”; he was preaching and teaching about a reality in direct opposition to that of the Roman Empire—an upside-down empire in opposition to Empire. Shannon adds:

        In God’s empire, the last are first, the weak are strong, the
        Christ kneels and washes the feet of the disciples, and a
        woman is the first witness of the resurrection. Jesus wanted
        his followers to “Come and See” that a different kind of
        empire was possible. And because Jesus was killed by
        Empire, the resurrection itself is God’s unequivocal “NO” to
        Empire and the Empire’s forces of death and destruction.
        The resurrection is God saying “Come and see” that death
        and empire will not have the final word. Those we hear say
        “Jesus is Lord” are also saying “the Emperor is not Lord.”
        The Mary who proclaims “I have seen the Lord” is also
        saying “but not the Empire’s Lord.” So what could it mean
        for us, today, to say “I have seen the Lord”? And, radically,
        what could it mean for us today to say “Come and see”?
        Can we proclaim that we have been amazed by seeing the
        risen Christ in a stranger? Can we invite others into God’s
        empire of love and inclusion by saying “Come and See.”?

As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection this Sunday, I invite you to take a moment each day to meditatively walk the path of the cross with Jesus as told in the Gospel of John, chapters 18 and 19. If you are a fan of classical music, you might enjoy listening to a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion, which closely follows this scripture. Notice how Empire is present, promoting division, discord, and competition—even among the disciples. And notice how, in every action and in every word, Jesus challenges this Empire.

What is the meaning of the Resurrection for us today? The Risen Christ stands in opposition to all unjust systems in our world. It is not only a response to Empire, but a declaration that it will not have the final word, and that—as Shannon says—a different kind of empire is possible.

​A new podcast featuring Apostle Shannon McAdam has launched as part of the Brewed Awakenings series on the Faith Unfiltered podcast (formerly Project Zion Podcast). Second Cup, co-hosted with Jack Hindle, invites listeners into thoughtful and honest conversations about faith, doubt, and some of life’s big questions. Drawing on their different backgrounds, they explore what it means to be religious, Christ-like, or simply human in a complex world.

​With curiosity, humour, and openness, each episode creates space to “walk around” big questions rather than rush to easy answers. Listeners are invited into deeper reflection on faith, discipleship, and meaning-making. Stay tuned for future episodes of Second Cup.