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 preoccupations. 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 Weekend 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 all denominations and their particular traditions. Women are encouraged to participate in the worship times in ways appropriate to their beliefs and traditions. On Sunday women are invited to attend the ecumenical worship service as part of the conference or choose to attend their own churches.
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 weekend 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 dioceses. 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 within the Anglican Church.
Several days of discussion among the women attending, 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 redevelop Images of Spirituality 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 women, for women of any Christian tradition.
The theme song for Images of Spiritualty 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) Worship Leader Rev. Joan Carson (Anglican) |
| 2023 | Being in the Presence of God: Where Christian and Celtic Spirituality Join | Rev. MJ Leewis-Kirk AOJA (Anglican) |
| 2024 | Cultivating a Garden of Contentment | Rev. Fay Reynolds (Baptists) Worship Leader Betty Piwowar |
| 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 2025
Resting in Grass, Following the Stream:
New stories and practices for rediscovering our Earthy God
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.
Scriptural Reference:
“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.” Psalm 23:2-3
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.
SPEAKER
Sarah Arthurs
I grew up a near neighbour to the land of the Tsuut’ina with frequent visits to the Weaselhead for “walks” with my family. I was oblivious to my treaty relatedness, as a white settler, to the Indigenous communities of Canada, to all that kept us apart and all that could bring us together. I am still walking out of that unknowing. The communities which shape me include the Rocky Mountains on the horizon, Big Blue Skies, the blowing in of Chinook winds, the secret wildflower sanctuary where Rosie (Havanese poodle) takes me most days, the comings and goings of my children’s lives and the neighbours, landscape and wild creatures of Prairie Sky Cohousing Cooperative. Other significant communities are Hillhurst United Church (member), the Calgary Interfaith Council (ED), and Green Exodus, a community journey to fall into the love which is Earth again.
My bumper sticker, courtesy of Mary Oliver.
Pay attention, Be astonished, Tell about it.
Worship Leader
Robin Hope Galey
Robin guides Wild Church Calgary gatherings and ministers at the United Church in Diamond Valley. Robin began preparing for ministry leadership in 2019 after a 20-year communications career. She earned master’s degrees in theology (2021) and Divinity (2023) and wrote a thesis exploring the role of light in process theology. Robin has also studied Buddhism, Yoga, Contemplative Dialogue, Permaculture Design and Respect Education, and these lessons inform her ministry. She is a mother of four adult children, occasional custodian of many pets, unpublished poet, and environmental and social justice advocate..
Gallery of Images 2024
2025 Dates
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
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: cheque or e-transfer
For further information, contact the Registrar at info@imagesofspirituality.ca
Invite a friend! We look forward to seeing you once again, or for the first time!
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!”