If you're interested in taking Clinical Psycho-Spiritual Education in Saskatchewan, we have two learning sites in the Saskatoon and Regina area.  See our website for details:  https://cpe-saskatoon.com ..read more

"We take a moment to acknowledge the pain in our province today. We stand with the community of the James Smith Cree Nation and Waldon. We acknowledge the many people around us who are still grappling with the shock of violence. We know that for our indigenous neighbors the pain is complicated, and cumulative, and includes centuries of injustice. May our hearts be tender towards our brothers and sisters and may we seek to find ways to offer compassion and patience and sacred silence. Throughout Saskatchewan, we know there is lament and fear today.  And we know that healing cannot begin un ..read more

Centuries before the Doctrine of Discovery, conversion was happening among the indigenous people's of Europe. And "heathens" was the word bestowed upon the people practicing ancient cultural beliefs. By 1100 CE, Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe. Heathenry is an ancient indigenous spirituality of Anglo-Saxon and European origin. It is ancestral and cultural in nature and includes Germanic, Scandinavian, English peoples. The religion honors multiple Norse gods and goddesses including: Odin, Thor, Frigga and Freya. Heathens learn Lore as their guiding sacred texts The Heathen re ..read more

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond ..read more

Language is power as Foucault powerfully teaches. So, empowering others to make decisions for themselves means they need information in their own language. As it pertains to the gospel, scripture should be liberated from the hands of the powerful and put in the hands of the ordinary so they can interpret for themselves as their culture informs.  Thanks Kristina Dyck for teaching our congregation what you've learned ..read more

Birding checks so many spiritual health boxes: Being out in nature Slowing down and practicing silence and patience. Learning something new Connecting with a community of like-minded individuals Some FREE birding resources: Georgian Bay Land Trust EBird Merlin Bird ID Birding for Beginners Best Beaver Valley locations for birding: Clendenan Dam Peasemarsh Conservation Area Thornbury Waste Plant Pretty River Valley Trails Bruce Trail, (Beaver Valley Section) Common birds of South Georgian Bay Purple Martins Cliffs Swallows (trow st. bridge) Juncos Horned Larks Cowbirds Blue birds Marsh ..read more

We started a new program at our local hospital, matching trained volunteers with patients for telephone visits during the pandemic. I searched for a pre-existing training program for our friendly visitors but there are very few out there. So, if you're looking for an introductory phone-visitor training this is the outline I came up to cover the basics. Each tool included time for group practice. Tool #1: Make it a great introduction: Include your first name, your role, confidentiality, the expected duration of the call  Tool #2: Ask open-ended questions.  The phone volunte ..read more

I notice first hand how a person's faith is formed in childhood. Practicing child-like trust throughout life often begins with a well-nurtured spirituality which is a gift into old age. Typically our churches offer "children's ministry" that may segregate children to basement classrooms away from adult worshippers, or a mid-week program that can seem like a free babysitting program led by faithful volunteers. However, when the faith we model to children is inter-generationally grounded, we are caring for more than a child's bible-knowledge, we are inviting them and their parents into a whole ..read more

To become a fully certified health-care chaplain in Canada (a.k.a Spiritual Care Practitioner), you will need: 1. A master's degree in theology or the equivalent 2. Minimum of four completed units of Clinical Pastoral Education (2 Advanced level) 3. 1000 hours of supervised on-the-job mentoring Once these requirements are complete, the candidate writes 3 professional papers and has an interview with a certification review team for approval to the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care.  It is possible to work in hospitals, hospice, long term care and other community settings while compl ..read more

Mastery, Meaning and Mystery: the three things patients need from their caregivers when they are dying. When people come to the end of their lives, relationship becomes more important than medicine. This is why so many cultures have companions who are gifted in calmly journeying a person into surrender.  Frank Ostaseski says death is something that is with us all the time, and she is 'someone' we can get to know throughout our lives. In preparing for death we can learn courage, wisdom and mystery as we enter into the seemingly impossible ..read more