Looking for New Board Members

Calling Generation Z, Baby Boomers and all generations in between!

We’ve extended the application deadline as we continue to search for a person under the age of 30 to join Naramata Centre’s board of directors. Come and contribute your generation’s perspective to help ensure the centre will be there for your own kids as it has been for you.

We’ve also extended the deadline for individuals over 30 who would like to bring their experience to the table to ensure a sustainable future for Naramata Centre. We seek new board members to replace those whose terms are ending.

The extended deadline for applications for all board member positions is now May 15, 2024.

Please read the Board Director-Role Expectation Summary and email your expression of interest to board@naramatacentresociety.org by May 15, 2024.

With gratitude,

Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Accepting Nominations for Honorary Society Members

“It takes a village to raise a child.” A similar concept can be said for Naramata Centre. It takes many society members to keep the centre’s doors open. In fact, some members have dedicated years of their time – as well as their talents, skills and plenty of elbow grease – for a single reason. They are committed to ensuring the centre can continue to inspire individual and collective transformation in a safe, inclusive, sacred space.

Do you know someone who fits this description? Each year at the Naramata Centre Society’s annual general meeting, the society grants honorary membership to two members whose significant and long-term commitment and contributions to Naramata Centre stand out. We consider the following: the length of time the individual has been involved in the centre; the person’s role and contributions to the life and work of the centre; and the person’s alignment with the centre’s mission, vision and values.

If you would like to nominate someone for an honorary membership, please complete

the application form and submit your nomination by April 15, 2024. If you have any questions, we’re happy to answer them. Please contact us at board@naramatacentresociety.org.

With gratitude,

Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Land Sale Update

Greetings during this in-between season – between winter and spring, between things going to ground and new life rising up. In the Christian tradition, we’re in the time of Lent, when we open ourselves to noticing what keeps us apart from life lived fully as the Divine intends, not just personally, but also as a society. It’s a time of lament, when Christians remember the cost Jesus paid in seeking a just world, and it’s a time of dawning hope, acknowledging that ultimately death cannot overcome life and despair cannot overcome hope.

It seems fitting that we write to you in this season to let you know that the Naramata Centre Society, with the agreement of the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada, have agreed to the conditional sale of land where Robson House (also known as Children's House) sits. This property borders Third Street, Gwendoline Avenue and First Street. 

We know this could give rise to lament. Many of us have precious memories of times spent on that land. Yet, we also hold profound hope that the old is giving way to the new, and that funds from the sale will seed new life, new ways of being and learning, and new ways for our community to connect at Naramata Centre. Not just for the sake of ourselves and the centre, but for the sake of the world, because time spent at the centre renews and restores us in our efforts to love and protect all creation. 

We encourage you to visit the Land Development page on our website to learn more about the sale.  

We also expect that there will be a time of offering our thanks for the property being sold and to share memories of time there, and to speak of dreams for what is being birthed with the property’s relinquishment. 

With gratitude,

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Searching for a U30 Board Member

Are you under the age of 30? Maybe you know someone who is.

Maybe you grew up attending Naramata Centre programs and value the friendships and community that thrive here. Maybe you’ve only been to Naramata Centre once, but it changed your life and want others to experience the same joy.

Naramata Centre’s Board of Directors is seeking one member under the age of 30. We’re looking for young people who understand what the Centre has to offer and want to see it succeed. Don’t forget – volunteering for a board looks good on a resume and helps open career doors!

Please read the Board Director-Role Expectation Summary and email your expression of interest to board@naramatacentresociety.org

no later than March 15, 2024.

Help us create the Centre you want your own kids to attend someday. Help us ensure Naramata Centre still thrives when you’re a grandparent!

It’s Go Time! How You Can Help Keep Naramata Centre’s Doors Open

2023 has been Naramata Centre’s best year in some time. The child and youth program saw greater participation this summer, and lunches prepared by the kitchen made a welcome return. Turnout was strong for some of the summer adult programs, and online programs throughout the year are growing in popularity. 

We’ve made good progress so far. But we’re not out of the woods yet.

Naramata Centre’s Board of Directors is working hard to keep the Centre open. But to put it as plainly as possible, the urgency is real. Without change – sustained change – the Centre will cease to exist. It’s not a cost problem. Rather, we have a significant revenue problem. The Centre is simply not sustainable with current operating deficits. 

That’s why we have created a solid strategic plan to ensure Naramata Centre’s sustainability. It is our blueprint for how Naramata’s supporters can work together to guarantee the Centre’s fortunes continue to improve.

The plan can work, but it requires action by all of Naramata’s supporters. Please read the plan to understand the urgency and the threat to the Centre.

The strategic plan outlines two phases:

• Phase One (2023-2026) focuses on sustainability and

• Phase Two (2026-2028) focuses on revitalization.

Thanks to feedback from Naramata Centre’s community of supporters, we know that our top priority is to make the Centre sustainable. To do so, we must focus on three interrelated parts that serve a common purpose: 

• Our people: We must have enough staff, volunteers, partners and participants to deliver our mission.

• Our finances: We must have enough sustainable revenue to cover the expenses of our people and site to deliver our mission. 

• Our site: We must invest and care for the grounds and facilities to shelter, feed and facilitate the people.

Each of these three pieces is necessary for Naramata Centre to fulfil its purpose, which is to inspire individual and collective transformation in a safe, inclusive, sacred space. If we cannot achieve all three, any other purposes or priorities are moot.

As you can see, for the next few years, creating stability, building capacity and fostering collaboration will occupy all our efforts.

A thriving, sustainable future for Naramata Centre is within reach. With the right priorities, plan and team, we will make it happen. Let's aim for that future together.

We Need YOU to help Naramata Centre find its way forward. 

Sincerely,

Naramata Centre Board of Directors

Here Are Some Ways You Can Help To Keep Naramata Centre's Doors Open

Supporting Naramata Centre does more than helping the Centre flourish. It also demonstrates there are people who value Naramata’s community and want to see it continue.

• Come back to the Centre, either in person or online. You can participate in many ways: online programs, personal retreats, winter retreats and summer programs, which will be posted on the Naramata Centre website in January 2024.

• Invite friends/family to join you for programs and/or retreats.

• Do you belong to an organization that is sympathetic to Naramata Centre’s purpose? Book your group events and retreats at the Centre.

• Become a member of the Board of Directors or a voting member of the Naramata Centre Society.

• Donate or make a gift-in-kind donation.

• Put Naramata Centre in your will. Call 250-496-5751.

• Volunteer for Hearts and Hands

• Spread the word by sharing our newsletter and 75th anniversary video with others.

• Read the strategic plan.

Naramata Centre: The Heart of Transformation and the Power of Donations

Nestled on the shores of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, the Naramata Centre has long been a sanctuary for those seeking personal transformation, spiritual growth, and meaningful connections. Founded in 1948 as a retreat center and Christian leadership organization, we have become a hub for people from diverse backgrounds to come together and explore their inner selves, nurture their spirits, and build transformative relationships. While the Naramata Centre's rich history and purpose continue to inspire many, it's the importance of donations that sustains our existence and impact.

Some things haven’t changed over the last 5 decades at all - people coming together through music and song is something you can experience on Columbia lawn every summer!

The Retreat Industry and Charitable Giving

Retreat Centres offer a place of refuge from the increasingly busy, fast and dehumanizing day to day of our lives. They are safe, sacred spaces to restore our sense of calm and belonging and to rekindle a vision of hope moving forward. Simply looking to the media, to our communities and nations, we can understand how deep the need is for restoration and connection. Retreat centres themselves are also facing growing struggles, with rising inflation, the soaring costs of food and fuel, paired with aging infrastructure and environmental disasters. Supporting these organizations is a way of lifting up our shared values in service of one another as we navigate these challenges.

Naramata Centre continues to find innovative and pragmatic ways to manage these obstacles while tending to the needs of our community through meaningful programs and collaborative partnerships. We continue to be a community that values resilience and strives to be in service to all creation. Supporting Naramata Centre through charitable giving is one way to invest in personal well-being and community enrichment. In 2021, charitable donations in Canada reached an all-time high of $9.6 billion - and as a smaller organization we depend on that charitable support.

The Naramata Centre: A Pillar of Transformation

Founded by the United Church of Canada, the Naramata Centre's history is deeply rooted in spirituality, education, and community. For over seven decades, we have provided a safe space for individuals to explore their spiritual beliefs, connect with nature, and engage in thought-provoking discussions.

The Naramata Centre's impact on personal transformation and spiritual growth is immeasurable. Through our various programs, workshops, and retreats, we have enabled people to find their inner compass and create lasting, transformational relationships. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of mindfulness, explore environmental stewardship, or engage in interfaith dialogue, the Centre offers a wide array of opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

As one of our long-time members put it:

“Those six months at Christian Leadership Training School opened a wider world to me and literally changed my life.I know that I have been richly blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know people from a wide range of cultures in their environments.”

The Power of Donations: Sustaining Transformation

Donations play a pivotal role in sustaining the Naramata Centre's mission and impact. While the retreat industry as a whole benefits from a surge in charitable giving, individual organizations like the Naramata Centre rely on the support of generous donors to continue our vital work.

These donations contribute to bursaries that allow people of all backgrounds to access the Centre's programs, regardless of their financial circumstances. They help maintain the Centre's infrastructure and facilities, ensuring that it remains a welcoming haven for those in search of transformation and connection. Additionally, donations allow the Centre to develop new and innovative programs that address evolving societal needs and interests, with a focus on education and leadership.

The spirit and legacy of Bob McLaren continues to live on at Naramata Centre - not to mention the idyllic setting!

Supporting Community: The Naramata Centre

Naramata Centre is rooted in the local community and works in partnership with an expanding circle of like minded organizations and groups. Preserving and nurturing these connections that foster personal growth and community is vital. The Naramata Centre is not just a retreat center; it's a source of inspiration, a place for reconnection, and a symbol of hope for many.

By donating to the Naramata Centre, you're not only supporting a historical institution with a rich legacy but also investing in the personal growth and well-being of countless individuals who pass through our doors. Your donation contributes to a ripple effect of positive change, as those who experience transformation at the Centre go on to share their newfound wisdom, compassion, and self-awareness with the world.

A place to connect across generations and cultures - the friends you make at Naramata Centre last a lifetime.

Please Consider Giving The Gift of Transformation and Connection

The Naramata Centre, with its rich history and deep, transformational relationships, remains a place of profound significance in the retreat industry. Donations are the lifeblood of this institution, ensuring that we continue to provide solace, spiritual growth, and personal transformation to those who seek it. As the world changes and our lives grow in complexity, let's recognize the importance of supporting local places of connection like the Naramata Centre and the lasting impact we have on individuals and communities alike. By giving generously, you can help the Centre flourish and continue its vital work of nurturing the human spirit and fostering meaningful connections.

With gratitude,

Naramata Centre Leadership

2023-2024 Winter Retreats - Lots to Discover

We would love to welcome you this winter - the South Okanagan settles quietly under a blanket of cozy snow, but don’t be fooled - there is still plenty to do!

Take a stroll along the lake, a hike in the woods or a tour of numerous nearby wineries. Naramata and Penticton have a lot to offer if you’re looking for a taste of local cuisine or to do some shopping.

Here’s a small sample of what you can enjoy in the Village and area this winter.

Live Music

Cannery Brewing is hosting live musicians every Sunday night. Get to know the local micro-brews, and enjoy the lively setting all through November until the 26th.

Shopping

Sip ‘n Shop at Three Sisters Winery is coming up November 25-26.

Stick around for the lovely Naramata Outdoor Winter Market on December 1 and complete your holiday shopping early with a selection of locally crafted gifts. Carrying on the tradition of hosting a European-Style Outdoor Winter Market since 2021, your official ‘slow’ gang, the Naramata Slow Community Group, is back again for 2023 -- lighting up the darkest days of winter with ONE MAGICAL NIGHT ONLY this year – and positively brimming with #naramatalove. 5-8 pm in Naramata Village on the Lower part of Robinson Road by 2nd Street.

Then, on November 25, check out the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre for the Craft Market event featuring Indigenous Artisans.

Theater

‘A Nice Family Christmas’ by playwright Phil Olson will open on the Cannery Stage November 9. Your won’t want to miss this hilarious sort-of sequel to our hit production of Olson’s ‘A Nice Family Gathering’ a few years back.

There is a lot more to discover - check out Visit Penticton Event Calendar and the Discover Naramata Upcoming Events to plan your stay.

Book Your Retreat

Click here to book your retreat with us!

2023 Autumn Silent Retreat is Coming Up

Brought to you in partnership with Pacific Jubilee, October 22 - 30, 2023.

This is a time to rest, discern, pray, prepare; an opportunity to be alone in community, to be in nature and to deepen your spiritual journey – all in an atmosphere of prayer-filled silence. This is an intentional silence that helps us encounter that still, quiet, healing place within, where there can be openness to the movement of Spirit. It is recommended that participants have previous experience in silent retreat.

Most days begin with an (optional) hour of spiritual practice time. Each day, retreatants meet one-on-one with their spiritual director. Each evening concludes with vespers – a contemplative practice to deepen the spiritual life.

Between scheduled sessions, each retreatant practices deep discernment about how their day will be spent. We practice a sabbath-time state of stepping away from our usual busyness, compulsivity and productivity in order to see clearly, hear deeply, and reconnect with the true self, with the Holy, with nature. We seek a different pace.

Rhythm of our days:

October 22 | 3:00 pm arrival, 4:00 pm orientation and welcome by spiritual directors (Murray Groom and Nan Goodship), 7:30 pm entry into silence

October 23-29 | early morning spiritual practice

October 23-28 | 7:30 pm vespers

October 29 | closing circle

October 30 | departure by 10:00 am

Retreat cost of $2,110.00 includes private accommodation in Orchard Courts, lunches and dinner meals, individual daily spiritual direction, site use, and all community gatherings. Bursary funds are available. (Participants are asked to bring their own breakfast foods.)

Our Priorities in This Time of Advent

As this year draws to a close and we find ourselves in this time of Advent – we remember and we wait...

We reflect back on the beauty and bounty of summer. Times of laughter and learning; gathering as community, singing of song and breaking of bread. This year saw our staff team grow with both year round folk and a summer team who, together with you, created a marvelous experience for over 700 people who came to the Centre this summer and we are grateful for the energy, memories and time together.

As the days are shortening and darkness comes earlier and earlier, we wait. Darkness can bring uncertainty and a fear of the unknown, but we know there is a promise of light to come, a promise of renewal of all things. The Centre continues to work to find how we can be vital and vibrant – in our operations and experiences - with our staff and volunteer teams, and with our financial realities.

Our Priorities

Thank you to those of you have provided input to our strategic planning this past summer. We are still following up on some of the ideas that have been shared with us. We are working on our Strategic Plan and developing long term goals to achieve Organizational Sustainability: Pursuing an operating model which will provide the people, site and financial conditions necessary to deliver the society's mission, values and end statements in an ongoing and self-sustaining manner.

There is still uncertainty with us. While this summer was a great experience for all, our registration numbers were still below our pre-Covid attendance. Our financial situation is still far from where it needs to be and that continues to be a key focus for the board and leadership of the Centre. Ensuring that we are Organizationally Sustainable is our top priority especially as we embark on celebrating 75 years of our history - and work hard to secure another 75.

McLaren Expression of Interest Moving Forward

While it has taken us longer than anticipated to get here, we are excited to announce that we plan to issue an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the sale and development of the McLaren/Children’s House lands. More information on the EOI and updates on this initiative will follow in the coming months. This is an exciting time of transformation and rejuvenation for the Centre. If you have any questions please reach out to board@naramatacentresociety.org.

Thank You For Your Support

As we wait for the promise of a New Year, we thank all of our community for the support we experience in so many ways. Whether by your participation in programs; financial support through donations, or including the Centre in your prayers, we are grateful for your support. If you haven't yet, there is still time to make a year end donation to contribute to the work of the Centre - either online through CanadaHelps or by mailing a cheque to the Centre.

As you gather with loved ones and reflect on the passing year, we hope to be in your plans as you discuss exciting things to come in 2023.

With gratitude,

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

New Executive Director

Board Announcement

We are very excited to announce that Sasha Viminitz has been hired as Naramata Centre’s new Executive Director effective May 16, 2022.

Sasha is an adaptive, flexible, people-centric leader with a strong connection and passion for Naramata Centre. Having attended regularly since 2017, Sasha has established personal relationships with many long-term Naramata Centre participants, program and resource leaders. Over these years of listening and learning, Sasha felt a calling to serve this unique community. Sasha has the vision and experience to create a long-term sustainable future: financially, socially and spiritually.

Sasha brings over a decade of management experience and business leadership with a record of proven success. He has worked in both the wellness and hospitality sectors, in both private and not-for-profit ventures. He brings a diverse set of skills including hospitality, human resources, business development and communications, and has been responsible for housekeeping, reception and welcoming, volunteer programs, group bookings, online marketing, site and facilities management and revenue management.

But perhaps most importantly, Sasha understands the spirit that makes the Naramata Centre the extraordinary place and community that it is. He is committed to respecting the Centre’s connection to the United Church. He is aware of the Centre’s current strength of community and its opportunities and he is unabashedly optimistic about its future.

This past weekend Sasha participated in our Board meeting at Naramata Centre providing an excellent opportunity to develop relations with our Board and staff. He will be relocating from Edmonton to Naramata in May. Sasha very much looks forward to integrating into the broader community and hopes to meet many of you personally if you are coming to the Centre this summer and over the coming years.

Please join us in welcoming Sasha!