Welcome
Reflect on your spiritual journey
The annual Images of Spirituality gathering follows a long Christian tradition of “taking time away.” It is an occasion for women to come and rest for a while in a quiet place away from their daily pre-occupations. In an atmosphere of openness, freedom and love, women gather to explore facets of spirituality, theology, and worship. Each participant has the opportunity to reflect on her own spiritual journey in order to return home rejuvenated by the weekend experience.
Join us each spring for a weekend filled with listening, sharing, singing, creating, laughing, and meditating, always with great people and good food in a wonderful, woodland setting.
The Images of Spirituality includes presentations, reflections on biblical texts, music, small group discussions, activities, connecting with other women, contact with nature, and times for quiet reflection, prayer and worship. The weekend culminates in a participatory Eucharist, led by an ordained minister.
The gathering starts Friday evening and ends after lunch on Sunday. There is ample opportunity to walk in the woods or just relax and chat.
We respect each denomination and its particular traditions. Women may participate in the worship services in ways appropriate to their own beliefs and as their tradition allows. For Roman Catholic women, a Sunday evening mass is held in several parishes in Calgary.
Comments from past participants
“A prayerful, joyful, faith-filled time.”
“To see the Christian commitment of other women is very affirming in my own journey.”
“I appreciated the opportunities for input, for conversing with fellow spiritual pilgrims in small groups and large corporate worship.”
Mission
For Women, By Women
Images of Spirituality is a Christian ecumenical gathering organized by Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Church women. It is a week-end of spiritual nourishment, refreshment, and fellowship for all Christian women.
Mission Statement:
To offer women in Southern Alberta an opportunity to explore the richness and diversity of Christian spirituality in an atmosphere of openness, support, creativity, Christian love, and freedom.
To promote friendships between women of all walks and stages of life.
To affirm the ministry of women.
We Value:
- Feminine images of God
- Feminine examples of faith
- Exploration anchored in scripture
- Sensitivity to language
The Planning Committee for the 2025 Images Gathering:
- Alicia Dykstra (Chair)
- Connie Cunningham
- Maureen Misura
- Nancy Stock
- Ruth Lund
- Joan Carson
- Margaret Hunziker
Share Your Gifts!
The Images gathering is possible through the grace of God and the ministry of women who volunteer to plan and carry out the gathering each year.
If you are interested in helping Images happen, in small or large ways, please contact us.
History
Celebrating and Affirming Women
In 1988 the Anglican Church of Canada held a women’s conference at Huron College, University of Western Ontario, to focus on The World Council of Churches’ declaration of the Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women.
Women from all parts of the Anglican communion in Canada were invited to attend, or to send representatives from the various diocese. These women were asked to attend by the Bishop of their particular diocese.
The women from the Calgary Diocese were Patricia Curtis, Norma Farquarson, Margaret Hunziker, Nina Chiba, Maureen Firmstone and Corinne Wikjord from Medicine Hat. There may have been others who also attended but these are the ones identified.
The theme of the conference was “Images of Spirituality”, and it was designed to explore issues of spirituality for women in the Anglican Church.
Several days of discussion among the women attending, all of whom had differing viewpoints, it seemed, resulted in a commitment by each diocese to implement an action plan that would be appropriate for their particular diocese. This action plan was drawn from the recommendations of the conference.
On their return from the conference, the women of the Calgary Diocese resolved to develop an Anglican women’s conference each year which was to be called “Images of Spirituality”.
In 1997, the planning committee completed considerable work to re-develop Images as an ecumenical gathering for women. The mission statement was revised, the planning committee sought ecumenical involvement, and women from all denominations were invited to the 1998 gathering.
Today, Images of Spirituality is an ecumenical gathering organized by Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Church women for women of any Christian tradition.
The theme song for Images is She Flies On, an expression of the Holy Spirit as a feminine image of God.
Images of Spirituality
Themes and Speakers list
Please click the decade button below for a summary of each year.
1989-1999
|
Year |
Theme |
Presenter(s) & Worship leaders |
|
1989 |
Exploring the Feminine Side of Spirituality |
Rev. Kathleen Zang, Rev. Sally Boyles |
|
1991 |
Growing Together |
Vi Smith |
|
1992 |
Transitions |
Pat Curtis |
|
1993 |
Called and Gifted |
Rev. Kathleen Zang (Anglican) |
|
1994 |
Fullness of Life |
Sister Rita Stang & Sandra Forsythe |
|
1995 |
Sisters on a Journey |
Eileen Sutcliffe (workshop by Sister Ita Connery) |
|
1996 |
Blessings and Celebrations |
Susan Dumoulin |
|
1997 |
In the Beginning: Praising our Creator |
Rev. Lynn McNaughton (Anglican) |
|
1998 |
Textures of Desire |
The Rev. Canon Gertrude Lebans (Anglican) and Ms. Ann Turner (Anglican) (Toronto) |
|
1999 |
Milestones: Where we have been and where we are going 10th Anniversary |
Rev. Sally Boyles & Rev. Kathleen Zang (Anglican) Worship leader: Rev Julia Craig |
2000-2009
|
Year |
Theme |
Presenter(s) & Worship leaders |
|
2000 |
Playing with God: Discovering the Metaphor of Life |
Susan Graham-Walker (Anglican Diocese of Toronto) Worship leader: Rev. Julianna Wehrfritz-Hanson (Lutheran) |
|
2001 |
“That we all may be one”: Celebrating Faith Journeys |
Facilitator: Pat Curtis (Anglican) Worship leaders: Rev. Kathleen Zang with Pat Langlois and Margaret Waterchief Music Facilitator: |
|
2002 |
Creativity and Our Story |
Carolyn Pogue-Phipps (United) Worship leader: Rev. Judy Chapman (United) |
|
2003 |
Christian Women Today: To what are we called? |
Sarah Donnelly (Roman Catholic) Worship leader: Rev. Jean Morris (Presbyterian) |
|
2004 |
We are in God’s Hands; We are God’s Hands |
Pat Curtis (Anglican) Worship leader: Barbara Andrews (Anglican) |
|
2005 |
Call to Wholeness |
Rev. Jean Morris (Presbyterian) Worship leader: Rev. Jan Craig (United) |
| 2006 | A Call to Prayer: Cultivating your Sacred Garden | Sister Rose-Anne Engel (Roman Catholic)
Worship leader: Rev. Cathy Fulton (Anglican) |
| 2007 | Rainbow Joy | Rev. Helen Smith (Presbyterian)
Worship leader: Rev. Marty Tuer (Lutheran) |
| 2008 | Be Still ... | Sarah Donnelly (Roman Catholic/Anglican)
Worship leader:Rev. Jean Morris (Presbyterian) |
| 2009 | She Flies On
20th Annual Gathering |
Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton (Anglican)
Worship leader: Rev. Julianna Wehrfritz-Hanson |
2010-2019
|
Year |
Theme |
Presenter(s) & Worship leaders |
| 2010 | And it was good… | Carolyn Pogue (United) Worship leader: Rev. Marty Tuer |
| 2011 | Formation of the Human Heart: Walking with God | Dr. Marilyn Elliott
Worship leader: Rev. Pilar Gateman (Anglican) |
| 2012 | Living Faith Everyday | Rev. Julianne Barlow (Koivisto) |
| 2013 | Seasons of Life...Wisdom from the Psalms Ps 30:11 |
Rev. Christine Conkin (Anglican) |
| 2014 | Exploring the Creative Breath of God |
Kathie MacDuff (Anglican)
Worship leader: Rev. Julianne Barlow (Koivisto) |
| 2015 | Seeking Sophia:Walking with Wisdom. Psalm 62:1. | Rev. M.J. Leewis-Kirk, AOJN |
| 2016 | Mandalas for Spiritual Growth & Healing Psalm 31: 2-3 |
Sr. Ita Connery, FCJ Worship Leader: Rev. Carolyn Herold (Anglican) |
| 2017 | And So We Wait…Our Spiritual Journey of Transformation Isaiah 40:31 |
Sarah Donnelly, M.Div Eucharist Service: Rev. Carolyn Herold (Anglican) |
| 2018 | Holy Women Inspired by God | Shirley Cunningham, MA, MSW, LCSW. Worship Service: Rev. Julia Kimmett (United) |
| 2019 | Praying Outside the Lines | Rev. Sara Boyles (Anglican) Worship Leader: Rev. Carolyn Herold (Anglican) |
2020-2029
|
Year |
Theme |
Presenter(s) & Worship leaders |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | Grounded in God Virtual Retreat |
Rev. Julia Kimmett (United) |
| 2022 | Encounter at the Well: A Journey to Wholeness Virtual Retreat |
Alicia Dykstra Dawna Richardson (FCJ Centre) Rev. Joan Carson (Anglican) |
| 2023 | Being in the Presence of God: Where Christian and Celtic Spirituality Join | Rev. MJ Leewis-Kirk |
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 | ||
| 2026 | ||
| 2027 | ||
| 2028 | ||
| 2029 |
Comments from past participants
“Again, a wonderful spirit-filled weekend. I look forward to this gathering all year long.”
“Absolutely excellent. Loved the atmosphere, the singing, the speakers. What a perfect balance – of challenge, variety, rest and God’s message of love.”
“I found the communion with and support of other women in itself very spiritual – but the intimacy and obvious presence of our Lord in the women of our small “group” was amazing.”
“This has been a very lovely weekend of community blessed by the Spirit. It nourished my spirit.”
“I had the most wonderful weekend in many years! Thanks to you all and thanks to the good Lord for sending us here. ”
Images 2024
Cultivating a Garden of Contentment
"I have everything that I need - the secret of being content".
In a world that is constantly seeding discontent so that we will consume more and more products, how might we learn with Paul what it means to truly be content with all that God provides and in all circumstances, without becoming complacent to the injustice around us.
1. What it means to call Jesus our Lord and our Shepherd.
2. How the Apostle Paul learned the secret of contentment.
3. Active contentment – models from Scripture and history.
4. The heart of Worship as the root of contentment.
During the weekend we offer opportunities to worship, sing, craft, walk, have conversations and ground ourselves in creation and the importance of justice and peace in our world. Together we’ll learn through teaching and small group discussions what it means to be truly content.
SESSION LEADER
The Rev. Faye Reynolds
Rev. Faye Reynolds is a retired pastor having served within the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada since 1986. She has worked in church worship ministries, women’s ministries and a variety of roles with the Executive Staff of the CBWC and is currently the Refugee Coordinator. She lives in Lethbridge with her husband, Stephen – also a retired pastor and their 2 adult daughters. Faye has written many Bible studies for Canadian Baptist Women including a series of 16 women of the Bible called, The Great Canadian Bible Study. She currently writes a monthly reflection received by about 250 women. Her favourite things are walking, reading, painting, playing guitar and time spent with the people she loves.
Worship Leader
The Rev. Betty Piwowar
Born and raised in Southern Alberta, Betty has been an Anglican priest since 2001. She currently serves as the Diocesan Chaplain to the Anglican Church Women (ACW) and is the Honorary Assistant at St. Martin’s Anglican Church in Calgary as well as supply clergy for the Diocese throughout Southern Alberta.
Her first career was in education. After teaching for 24 years, Betty was a lay chaplain at Foothills Hospital for four years before attending seminary in Saskatoon.
Betty is no stranger to ecumenism, having studied in a tri-facility seminary encompassing the Anglican, Lutheran and United traditions and serving in multi-denominational parishes throughout her career.
In her spare time Betty reads, gardens, travels and walks. She is blessed with three daughters, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Gallery of Images 2024
2025 Dates
Theme: Based on Psalm 23:2-3
“He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for His name’s sake.”
Information on the weekend speaker and worship leader is being confirmed and will be forthcoming.
March 28th – March 30th, 2025
Friday evening to Sunday afternoon
Entheos Retreat Centre
242032 Range Road 40
Calgary, Alberta
T3Z 2W8
Registration
come...take time away
Join us for a weekend filled celebrating God’s great gift of creation, how it can enable us to connect more meaningfully to God, listen more clearly for God’s purpose in our lives and experience God’s peace more fully.
Theme: Based on Psalm 23:2-3
“He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for His name’s sake.”
Information on the weekend speaker and worship leader is being confirmed and will be forthcoming.
Friday March 28th – Sunday March 30, 2025
Registration Form:
Please use a separate form for each person registering
Please click to download your Registration Form (PDF format)
A non refundable $150 deposit must accompany each registration form.
Early Registration Fee before March 7th, 2025: $280.00 double occupancy $300.00 single occupancy
Late Registration Fee after March 7th, 2025: $300.00 double occupancy $320.00 single occupancy
Payment Options:
(1) Cheque Enclosed ______
Cheque Payable to: Images of Spirituality
c/o 54 Alcock Close, Okotoks, AB T1S 1R8
(2) e-Transfer (preferred) ______
To inquire about payment by e-transfer, contact the Registrar
at info@imagesofspirituality.ca
Invite a friend! We look forward to seeing you once again, or for the first time!
Blessings from your 2025 Images of Spirituality Planning Committee.
Alicia (Chair), Connie, Nancy, Ruth, Maureen, Marg and Joan
Comments from past participants
“Love being with women from all generations and backgrounds; love the opportunity to be with older women who have wisdom and grace and pass this on to me so freely.”
“The setting (facilities) was very comfortable, and the food was very good. The support staff was very kind and helpful.”
“What a wonderful weekend – exactly what I needed, to be reminded and refilled with the joy of our Lord through music, creativity, fellowship, sharing, nature, communion, etc. A beautiful time indeed!”