Ancient Streams Fall 2021
 
What a summer we’ve had–heat waves, fires, day after day of smoky skies, Covid numbers rising again, the tumultuous events around the world…I, certainly, have felt the need to continually find my grounding in God as the Source of life, love and peace in the midst of it all. I’ve also realized once again how much I need the companionship of others who are also seeking to grow deeper roots in God. Accompanying each other in our journey of longing for God is one of the primary goals of Ancient Streams. Together we intentionally pursue practices that bring us into a greater awareness of God’s presence, love and transforming power–in our own lives and in His kingdom.
 
Our Fall Outdoor retreat at Bertram Park, Kelowna has become one of the rhythms we enjoy as a way to experience God’s loving presence in the world all around us. This is an afternoon and early evening with times of solitude and community, connecting with God and each other through prayer, scripture and attentiveness to God’s presence in His creation. Each year this day has been a special gift to us. I wonder what He will have for us this year! We’ve set the date for Sat., Oct. 2 and will be following Covid restrictions as they apply to our outdoor setting.
 
Along with our retreat day, this fall we are offering a twice a month small group (formerly our monthly meeting) which will be focusing on prayer. Jesus exhorted his disciples to remain in Him as a branch remains in the vine. Our group will be exploring some of what this oneness that Jesus described in John 15 is all about. We will be learning from some of those who have walked ahead of us on this ancient path, sharing together in our own practice of prayer, scripture reading, meditation and contemplation. Are you longing to connect more deeply and intimately with God? Then, come along and join us on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.  Contact us at ancientstreams10@gmail.com for more information, and so we can plan appropriately. 
 
We hope that these offerings will be an encouragement to you and perhaps others you know.
Blessings,
     Nancy Keery & Ancient Streams team
 
Fall Outdoor Retreat:
Date: October 2, 2021
Time: 12:30pm-7:00pm
Place: Bertram Park, Kelowna: upper parking lot
Cost: $15.00
Please RSVP ancientstreams10@gmail.com
 
Small group on Prayer & Christian meditation:
2nd & 4th Thursday evening of each month: 7:00pm-9:00pm
First meeting will be the 4th Thursday, September 23, 2021
Please RSVP ancientstreams10@gmail.com
 
Advent Retreat:
Saturday, November 27, 2021
More information to follow!
 

 “I will be like the dew to Israel;
       he will blossom like the lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
      he will send down his roots;
his young shoots will grow.”
     Hosea 14:5   

As I sit down to write this invitation, I am reminded that it has been a year now since we all went into “shut down” mode here in Kelowna. We, and the entire world have been through a very difficult year with colossal changes. What have been some of the effects on our lives and in our souls? Ancient Streams is offering a day retreat as a space to meet with God and reflect on our experience of this past year—the challenges, losses and also the opportunities and gifts.   We will explore together some of the dynamics most of us have faced–how to live in a climate of fear and a constant sense of uncertainly. Could it be that our 2020 experience has actually been preparing us to deal with fear, ambiguity and uncertainty? In the words of Hosea 14, how have our “roots” been sent down deeper in God? What “young shoots” are growing in us, bringing us hope and the joy of newness of life? Our desire is that we will discover more intimately how God’s loving presence grounds us, and His Spirit keeps offering us a way of peace that shapes our souls to be more like Jesus.   Paul Martinson, a spiritual director and elder with YWAM will be joining the Ancient Streams team in facilitating this retreat day. We would be delighted to have you join us as we carve out time to be with God, both alone and in community, opening our hearts to Him through scripture and prayer practices.   Please RSVP ancientstreams10@gmail.com to register and receive the Zoom link.   Date: April 17, 2021 Time: 9:30am-4:00pm Cost: $25.00

“Hanging Out in the Christmas Story”

The story of Jesus’ birth is a full one with many characters, many weavings in and out—a young woman and man in Galilee, an elderly priest and his wife from the elite of Judaism, astronomers from Persia, a jealous king, low class shepherds in Judean fields, a business man–an inn keeper, even animals—a donkey, sheep, (who else was in the stable? cattle? a barn cat? a servant girl?). Then there was the star… and angels… Am I forgetting anyone? Oh yes, of course, a baby, vulnerable and helpless!

This is a rich story with depth, intrigue, love, commitment, tenderness, aching need and urgency, along with exuberant joy! What if you spent time wandering around in this story this Advent Season? What would it be like to hang out with the characters, ponder what their life looked like when all this happened, walk in their shoes, feel some of what they might have felt? I wonder what kind of unique rendition of the story we would have to tell by Christmas eve. I wonder what kind of an affect it might have on us—this year, in the midst of a pandemic. Even with all the centuries separating us, how might we find the story relevant to us today?

Join us as we explore these questions together and take some time to “hang out” in Galilee, the road to Jerusalem, Bethlehem… in a field, a palace, a cave…During our retreat we will meet together as a group for direction and prayer, followed by extended times for silence. Near the end of our day there will be an opportunity for you to share your experience with others in small groups. Paul Martinson will conclude the retreat by celebrating communion with us, which is always a unique experience.   

Our retreat will be a bit different this year, as we have decided that it is best in light of the pandemic to host our retreat via Zoom. This doesn’t mean that you will be on the computer all day. As mentioned above, we will be coming together as a group, and then giving a lengthy time for personal reflection a couple of times during the day, finishing up together. We are disappointed not to meet in person and share in this special day physically present to each other, as we have in the past. However, we also recognize that this venue has some benefits as well—one being that we’ve invited Mary Reimer (spiritual director and leader of Imago Dei, Winnipeg) to join our team as we facilitate the day.  I wonder what other gifts we might receive as we create space in our own homes as a place of prayer and retreat for a day…

Please RSVP ancientstreams10@gmail.com to register and for more information or assistance with Zoom connection. We’re seeing this as an opportunity to be creative within the restrictions we are under this year, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.  We’re looking forward to a meaningful day apart and yet together, for God promises to meet with all who seek Him.
 
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2020

Time: 9:30am-4:00pm 

Cost: $20.00

 

For more information and to RSVP e-mail Nancy Keery at ancientstreams10@gmail.com by November 26th.

At our Fall Retreat last Saturday, a group of us spent the afternoon outdoors getting a taste of how “the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth!” The unsettled weather–gusts of wind, cloudbursts of rain, sunshine and blue skies– all colliding together made for a very interesting and ever–changing landscape and view. We were also given a rainbow in the mix. I believe each of us would agree with Evelyn Underhill’s words, “In the created world around us, we see the Eternal Artist, Eternal Love at work.”  We certainly witnessed the “Eternal Artist’s” work and experienced a gracious touch of His “Eternal Love”. We are very grateful to be able to start off the fall season together in this way.

We are looking forward to our monthly meetings beginning in October. This is an evening of sharing in contemplative practices focusing on prayer and a deepening life with Christ. This year we will be reflecting on Ronald Rolheiser’s book, The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality as a way of continuing our learning and growth in God. Please note that we will be meeting the fourth Thursday of the month, (not the fourth Wed. as we have in the past). We plan to offer these times with the option to be in person or by Zoom, so be sure to let us know which way you plan to attend by e-mailing ancientstreams10@gmail.com.

Finally, our Advent Retreat day will be Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. We are hoping to have this as an in person retreat day (with physical distancing in place) with an option to attend by Zoom. If you could let us know which option you would be likely to take it would help us in our planning.

“By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being…”                                                      Romans 1:20 (The Message) While there are many things that we do understand and can explain about the created world and our Creator, eventually our knowledge and concepts come up short, and we realize that creation invites us into a place of mystery. Think about the process of a baby forming in her mother’s womb and then being born into this world. We can give scientific explanations for it all, but in the end, who isn’t awed by the “miracle of birth”? If we’re honest, there comes a point when like Job our mouths are shut and we hear God say:   “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?            Tell me if you understand.     Who marked off its dimensions?            Surely you know!     Who stretched a measuring line across it?           On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—      When the morning stars sang together           and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7   This year at our Outdoor Fall retreat we would like to explore how being attentive to God’s creation leads us into considering “the mystery of His divine being”. What might we experience of God, our world and even ourselves as we take time to pay attention to his presence in his gift of creation? How might this affect us? How might we find it restorative? I wonder how learning to “be” even as creation “is” might eventually affect the way we are with others and in the uncertainty of our times. I wonder what you might discover…      Join us for a time of quiet reflection in God’s amazing world. There will be an extended time for silence and solitude as well as corporate times of prayer, scriptures, a meditation and opportunity for sharing your experience with others. We will be observing appropriate physical distancing during our retreat time, and have decided that each should bring their own food instead of having a potluck supper this year. We hope that you can join us. Being together in person is such a gift these days! Date: Saturday, September 26, 2020 Time: 12:30pm-7:00pm Location: Bertram Park, Kelowna, B.C.  (meet in the sports field just below the upper parking lot) Cost: $15.00 Please RSVP so we can plan our numbers responsibly: ancientstreams10@gmail.com “The glory of God—let it last forever!     Let God enjoy His creation!”             Psalm 104:31 (The Message)

In his book, Streams of Living Water Richard Foster sums up his chapter on the Christian contemplative tradition with these concise thoughts:
 
            Q.  What is the Contemplative Tradition?
            A.   A life of loving attention to God.
            Q.  Why should we explore it?
            A.   Because through it we experience the divine rest that overcomes our
                  alienation.
 
These are particularly poignant words for us as we live in a world which is so full of fear, anxiety, strife and unrest. We continue to be convinced that the emphasis of Ancient Streams to create spaces where we encounter God together in solitude and community is of utmost importance, perhaps even more so with the effects of the pandemic. Life has changed in these past months, and there remains much uncertainty ahead of us. Now more than ever, we feel the need to connect with God in solitude and silence which is so essential to living a life rooted in love, not fear, and overcoming the internal alienation that Foster talks about. As a team we feel our own need to continue to “ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it” so we will “find rest for our souls” (Jer. 6:16b). Likewise, we are committed to walking with others who have this same desire to continually “come to Jesus, take up his yoke and learn from Him” discovering the rest that is found in Jesus’ gentle and humble heart. (Matt. 11:28-29). Together we fan the flame of our desire to seek “a life of loving attention to God”, finding His peace in the midst of stormy times and praying that His light shines from within us to those around us.
 
Over this past year Ancient Streams has sought to offer this kind of accompaniment through our Fall/Outdoor, Advent Day and Weekend retreats as well as our small groups that meet regularly throughout the year. Through these times of spiritual companionship, we seek to bring teaching and encourage spiritual practices found in the “ancient paths” of our faith, practices that keep rooting us in God’s love and truth. We were especially grateful to have Paul Woodyard and Ruth Des Cotes from Imago Dei Christian Communities with us for our Seton House retreat just before everything began to shut down due to Covid 19. Afterwards we realized what a special gift it was to have been with each other for that weekend. With all the chaos of the pandemic that followed, we recognized how beneficial the teaching and focus on deepening our relationship to God through prayer was to helping us walk in these uncertain times.

Ancient Streams has also passed a new milestone. It has been just over a year since Ancient Steams has partnered with Trinity Legacy Foundation enabling those who wish to financially support our ministry to receive a tax receipt for their donations. We are grateful to God that this connection was made possible and want to thank again those who have given over this past year. We greatly appreciate your financial support, especially in light of the economic stress caused by the pandemic. Nancy Keery is particularly grateful for the monthly support that helps free her up to focus on leading Ancient Streams. Thank-you too, for the support that many of you give to our community in so many other ways.

Looking ahead, we are planning to have our Fall/Outdoor retreat again this year on Sat., Sept. 26. Since we are outdoors, it should not be a problem to keep the necessary physical distancing in place. This is always a very meaningful time connecting with God and each other in His spectacular creation here in the Okanagan. We are making plans as well for our monthly meetings starting in October and also our other retreats. This past spring we were grateful for Zoom which allowed us to carry on our small group gatherings and were surprised how well we were able to connect even though we were not in person. We anticipate offering a combination of Zoom and in person gatherings where possible in the coming months.

May God bless you and fill you daily with His Spirit and grace,
Ancient Streams team

************************************************************************************************
If you wish to contribute to the work of Ancient Streams you may do so in one of two ways:

1. E-mail transfer to:  foundation@trinitykelowna.ca   As a note in the e-transfer please write “AS10” so that the foundation directs your money to Ancient Streams.
2. Make a cheque payable to: TBC Legacy Foundation. Please be sure to include our identification “AS10” in the cheque memo so that the Foundation knows to direct your money to Ancient Streams.  Then either:
   • Give your cheque to anyone of our leadership team at any Ancient Streams meeting or retreat.  We will then forward it to the Trinity Foundation.
   • Mail your cheque directly to TBC Legacy Foundation, 1905 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC,  V1Y 7V7
   • Hand deliver your cheque in a sealed envelope addressed to: TBC Legacy Foundation, and drop it off at Trinity Church, 1905 Springfield Road, Kelowna.

Please note that all donations received will be directed to our General Funds to support Nancy Keery unless you specifically indicate for it to be used for Retreat Purposes.  In this case these monies will be separated and used to offset the cost of retreats and provide scholarships within our community.

 

We will be hosting a physically distanced meeting – with an option to zoom – on this Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00pm. If you are interested in joining us, please send an e-mail to ancientstreams10@gmail.com please also indicate whether you wish to attend in person or via zoom, and we will give you the physical location of the meeting or the necessary link and instructions to log on and be a part of this time of connection.

Easter Season – Paschal Mystery

For our May and June Ancient Streams monthly meetings we will be looking at the process of transformation we go through as we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ. This process, known as the “paschal mystery” describes the profound  mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. Through His death and resurrection, a way has been opened up for us to experience loss and death, not as an ending, but as a doorway into new life.

As the first followers of Jesus, the disciples experienced this process. They went through all the horror and trauma of watching Jesus crucified on Good Friday. They witnessed the finality of his death and felt the pain and loss of all that they had hoped for. However, on Easter morning the tomb was discovered to be empty, and Jesus appeared to the women and later in the day to several others. By evening of that first day of the week, Jesus appeared to the group of them that were gathered together behind locked doors. Can you imagine their overwhelming joy at seeing Jesus in the flesh right there before them? The intensity of those past three or four days must have been completely overwhelming. Their very hearts and minds had tasted cruel death, and then they were astounded by His resurrection!

The disciples were living in the midst of and witnessing first hand the paschal mystery of Christ. The interesting thing as we follow their story, is that this mystery is in reality a process. It’s not just Good Friday and a quick Easter three days later, and they understand it all. We read in the gospels how it took a season of time and many appearances of Jesus for them to start to grasp what was happening. They went through weeks of adjusting to this new reality. I wonder what it was like. Did a painful memory of Jesus on the cross come back to them, causing them to cry, “No. It’s impossible. I saw him there limp and dead in Nicodemus’ arms!” Then he would appear again, and joy would flood through them. Back and forth for many weeks, their minds were slowly adjusting to the truth of his resurrection and a whole new reality.

Eventually they had done enough adjusting and readjusting that their minds and hearts were ready for a fuller letting go of their expectations and hopes for what following Jesus was all about. They were finally ready to let go of their hope of Jesus living on the earth in the flesh as a man, bringing about a political reign. God had moved them along sufficiently so that Jesus could lead them once again to the Mount of Olives area–the same area where this paschal mystery had begun in the garden. Would they ever pass that area without reliving the memories of hearing him crying out, surrendering his will to the Father’s will? Now, 40 days after his resurrection he led them to that general area again. However, this time it was they who would release their wills and submit themselves to God’s way as they received his blessing and watched him ascend up into heaven and disappear into the clouds. Luke concludes his account of the Ascension, “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” They were undergoing a profound transformation.

What about us, as followers of Jesus Christ all these many years later? How do we undergo this process of transformation? What do our “dyings and risings” look like as we seek to follow our Passover Lamb? We all experience loss, disillusionment and confusion in our journey of following Jesus Christ and seeking His kingdom in our lives, but do we embrace the paschal mystery inherent in each loss? Do we even recognize that we are in a crucial process that is conforming us to Christ’s life and character? For the next two meetings we will be considering these questions with the help of Ronald Rolheiser’s understanding of the paschal mystery in his book, Holy Longing. He writes, “The paschal mystery is the secret to life. Our happiness depends on our properly understanding it…Ultimately our happiness, peace and maturity depend on our appropriating this mystery into our lives.” Join us as we explore these questions and seek to “appropriate this mystery into our lives” that we may more completely follow our Lord and Saviour.

We will be hosting a zoom meeting on this Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm. If you are interested in joining us, please send an e-mail to ancientstreams10@gmail.com and we will give you the necessary link and instructions to log on and be a part of this time of connection.

At our meeting we will spend some time with the devotional below to help us continue to reflect on this Easter season. You may want to read it and reflect on the questions ahead of time.

May you be encouraged in Christ,

Nancy Keery and Ancient Streams team

A woman and a man
speak in the garden. 
The woman in her tear-blurred vision
presumes the man a gardener.
Recognition thunders through her
when he calls her name. 

Here he is,
he who Thursday prayed in anguish
prostrate beneath the olive trees,
he who Friday stumbled, struggled 
in staggering steps
up to Skull Hill
where she heard the hammer reverberate,
watched helplessly as he was hung 
on that leafless tree, 
himself the bruised and stricken fruit.

Sunday she came to the garden
under cover of the sleepless dark—
what else could she do?

But now she had seen him
standing before her,
heard him speak to her, 
entrust her with a message to the others. 
Heart racing, legs and feet flying,
mind spinning, she ran to relay the news.
How could it be? 

Did she realize that in the dawnlit dew
she with him in the garden witnessed
Eden’s transgression transposed into an unthinkable new key? 
From a forbidden tree, Adam took and ate,
then shifted the blame.
On a cursed tree, her Rabboni gave himself utterly,
opened a path beyond fig-leaf coverings of shame. 

Here before her 
the Master Gardener,
he who stooped low 
to clear invasive roots of sin and death,
who subjected himself willingly 
to thorns and the scorching heat of day,
who entered the inchoate clay
and emerged, piercing through darkness
and clearing the way to the Tree of Life
at the centre of a new heaven and a new earth.

Eve had let the serpent’s words take root, 
originally reached for knowledge beyond her;
but today she ran, the first to bear Easter witness,
proclaiming what she knew:
“I have seen the Lord.”

Behold the man:
Purple-robed, thorn-
crowned, lash-torn,
yet in full possession
of the tongue he does 
not use to defend himself.

Behold the king bearing
the cross beam, stripped 
of his seamless tunic,
who even in his torment
cares to say to his mother,
“Behold your son,”
and to his disciple,
“Behold your mother.”

Hear the fount of Living 
Water say, “I thirst;” 
the Resurrection and the Life 
cry, “It is finished.”

Behold, the man, the king, the I AM
lifeless in the garden tomb.