By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug

One of the cabins used for retreats at Seton House.

IT IS in a secluded scenic setting, high in the mountains above the city of Kelowna, and overlooks the sparkling beauty of Okanagan Lake.  

Seton House of Prayer offers a quiet back-to-nature retreat for spiritual healing and support, with two weekend sessions being held this spring.

The first, Rachel’s Vineyard, from April 30 to May 2, invites those who have struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. Parents of aborted children, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings are all welcome to take part.

The weekend is “an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt and grief,” according to a Rachel’s Vineyard brochure.  

Janet Kormish has coordinated and facilitated many of the retreats, and is one of the B.C. directors.

“It is a privilege to serve in this ministry,” she said, “because I get to see first-hand how people can be transformed in just one weekend.”

Kormish explained that it is not a teaching or speaker situation; rather, “it is a sensory-based healing process.”

The six-member Rachel’s Vineyard support team includes a counsellor, a priest and trained volunteers, many of whom have past abortion experiences of their own.  

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Rachel’s Vineyard was founded by Dr. Theresa Burke in the U.S., and is a ministry of Priests for Life. While the process is Christian-based, the retreats are welcoming of people of other faiths – or those of no faith.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreats have flourished since they began in 1995, with 600 held annually in the U.S. and 17 other countries.

“It is the fastest growing post-abortion program in the world,” Kormish asserted.

Burke, along with her husband Kevin, also founded the new Grief to Grace program – which is holding its third Canadian weekend retreat at Seton House, from May 6 to 9.  

“It is a pilgrimage to discover the love, tenderness, belonging, safety, joy and peace that are often missing from the stories of abuse victims,” notes a website message from the Burkes.

Scripture readings, journaling, group activities and discussions are all part of the process, in what is described as a non-judgmental, confidential and compassionate atmosphere.

“We incorporate scripture in the whole process,” said B.C. Grief to Grace director Terry Dunn.

“There is no intent to convert anyone to Christianity – but if they are uncomfortable with it, this program may be of limited benefit,” Dunn added.

Most of the participants have been from B.C.; some have come from the U.S. and the Prairies.

  To register for Grief to Grace, call 250.878.7603. For Rachel’s Vineyard, call 250-762-2273.

Both retreats will also be held in Kelowna in the fall.

April 2010