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Sarah Donnelly B.A., M.Div. Retreats - Workshops - Grief Support
Groups - Spiritual Direction - Funerals |
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Feedback: Comments from Past Participants
Sarah has a gentle
and inviting style which draws the listener in immediately. Her presentation
is a mix of passing on the insights of her reading and thinking, along with
stories and personal experiences. Her presentation has solid, well thought
out content, but does not come across as a lecture. Each part of her
presentation was accompanied by written notes which she handed out, so that
the listener did not feel the need to be taking notes, but rather could just
listen and enter into the spirit of the content. In the end, it felt like it
had been a journey of discovery of the delights that Sabbath offers to us
all. The Rev. Dr.
Robert Smith, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, Calgary AB Sarah, you have a
wonderful way of putting people at ease, and everyone has commented on how
much they appreciate your leadership. The theme and questions challenged us
to be prepared as we ready our hearts for the Christ Child. The Ven.
Gordon Payne, St. Peter Quamichan Anglican Church, Duncan BC It helped my
decision to return to the church. I found this retreat to be a well organized
program. It was thought provoking and an excellent guide to improving my
spiritual life. Participant,
`The Holy Longing’ Lenten Retreat, The Anglican Church of St. John the
Baptist, Cobble Hill BC Sarah, your
presentation of this course has been excellent and done in a way that the
average lay person could understand and appreciate. I know it has given me
lots of food for thought and I feel I shall grow in my journey of faith.
Thank you! Sarah’s presentations on Prayer were most valuable to me! Concise and helpful handouts and questions were a springboard to starting and maintaining a good prayer life. Her communication skills and ability to `engage’’ each of us were excellent! Participant:
`Prayer: Finding Our Heart’s True Home’ Women’s Retreat, Camp Columbia,
Thetis Island BC Very
clear - didn't mince words - thought-provoking and stimulating. Elaine Ellinger,
Congregational Development Workshop, St. Rose of Lima Church, Sooke BC I
most appreciated Sarah's ability to speak individually to the concerns of our
parish - a wonderful day. Peter Boechler,
Congregational Development Workshop, St. Rose of Lima Church, Sooke BC I
most appreciated the pace of the day. We covered a lot without feeling
rushed. It's a good balance of information and discussion in small groups. Mary Warner, Congregational Development
Workshop, St. Rose of Lima Church, Sooke BC I
appreciated your enthusiasm. Good handouts and materials used for your
presentation Fr.
Mike Favero, Rector, Congregational Development
Workshop, St. Rose of Lima Church, Sooke BC I
appreciated Sarah’s positive manner, stories and examples; the four insights;
group exercise and the clear content in the handouts. Colina
Titus, Congregational Development Workshop, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Victoria BC I
most appreciated Sarah’s great way of presenting, and the great value of the
materials presented. The Rev. Ian Victor, Senior Minister,
Congregational Development Workshop, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Victoria BC Thank
you Sarah for your calm, quiet, thoughtful manner. We saw ourselves reflected
in your words. Jim Kempling,
Congregational Development Workshop, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Victoria BC I
most appreciated the open and candid spirit and the delivery of the message
from Sarah. Everything was wonderful and as is too often the case time passed
too quickly. Thoroughly enjoyed the day – thank you! Duncan McKinnon, Congregational Development
Workshop, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria BC Great workshop – provided lots of insight, food for thought
and avenues for further exploration. Karen Archibald, Spirituality and the Two-Halves of Life,
Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church, Saanich BC We most appreciated the breath and affirmation of Ron Rolheiser’s teaching – a new perspective; stimulating. Ronald and Janet Billinghurst,
Spirituality and the Two-Halves of Life, Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian
Church, Saanich BC The whole day was just lovely! From the welcome of coffee,
the smiling faces, Sarah’s dynamic presence, Ron Rolheiser’s
DVD and friends – a truly Christian event! Dorothy Reimer, Spirituality and the Two-Halves of Life,
Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church, Saanich BC I found the time of sharing most helpful. The
questions resulted in my looking at things I have given too little attention
to. Sandra Thompson, Transitions Grief Support Group,
Duncan BC Thank you for providing
a safe and sacred place for us to address our sadness and pain. Thank you for
the gentle understanding way you guide us though each session. Sheila Loeffler, Transitions Grief Support Group, Ladysmith BC Most helpful for me was exploring the process of grief,
normalizing it, and the emphasis on finding the gifts in our grief. I
appreciated the articulate way Sarah reflected on the course content and the
comments we would make Sarah has a gift in understanding what is being said
even when our words are not very clear. Sarah is very skilled as a
facilitator. Amy Meerdink, Transitions Grief
Support Group, Crofton BC I enjoyed your format, the check-in at the beginning, and
then the leading in to the scriptural basis, the reflection time, the small
group work and the closing. All of it worked well together. Ruth McCowan, Transitions Grief
Support Group, Victoria BC There were many aspects of this program that helped me walk
through my grief and transition. Your prayerful reflections, your insightful
questions and the rotating small groups all made a significant impact on me.
I was especially appreciative of the ritual and visual aspects of each week.
I also am grateful for the “collection” of printed notes, questions and added
reflections. I have found them useful to review and ponder. I would
absolutely recommend Transitions to others. Your gentle manner and astute
questions and reflections created a peaceful space and a powerful experience. The Rev. Cathy Victor, Transitions Grief Support Group,
Victoria BC This program was structured enough that I was comfortable –
no individual could derail the group because of that. There was a good
balance of content, quiet, personal reflection and socialization. Thanks for
your time and energy Sarah – it was a valuable time for me and everyone in
the group. Blessings as you continue in this ministry. The Rev. Laura Kavanagh,
Transitions Grief Support Group, Victoria BC I found most helpful the opportunity to share my pain and
sorrow with others, and the opportunity to hear their stories. I have recommended this program to others because
it is a healing process – gentle, accepting – leading us
forward to new beginnings. A huge part of the success of this course is due
to you, Sarah. As a teacher I recognize the amount of careful study and
preparation that you have to put into the course, as well as that, you bring
your own life experiences and share them willingly. I thank you so much. Pat Ormerod, Transitions Grief
Support Group, Victoria BC I most
appreciated Ron’s understanding and explanation of our loving God and our
need to avoid resentment. A very stimulating day. Thank you. Richard Sparke. The Cross of
Christ Retreat held at Holy Trinity Anglican
Church, North Saanich BC
I most
appreciated the clear, well-developed agenda and format; just enough time for
reaction and discussion; the handouts are excellent for review and reflection
at home.
Penny Donaldson. The Cross of Christ Retreat held at Holy
Trinity Anglican Church, North Saanich BC
I appreciated
the silence before small group discussions – very helpful and very conducive
to a spiritual approach to our responses to the material; the small groups at
each table, and remaining at one table throughout the day; the absence of
“reporting back”; no sense of manipulation – the gentle approach and
“seamless” progress of the retreat.
Elizabeth Stewart. The Cross of Christ Retreat held at Holy
Trinity Anglican Church, North Saanich BC
Wow, this has been a wonderful retreat (Transitions Grief
Support Retreat) – tough at times, but hope inspiring! I appreciated the
format, the organization, the handouts, the balance of information and
sharing as well as the use of various audio, visual and print materials. It’s
a wonderful, gentle program for looking at life’s losses. A sincere and
heartfelt thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us and for your gentle
presence guiding us through our difficult spots on our journeys this weekend.
May grace and peace be always with you. Mona Kuzub, Transitions: Your
Journey through Grief and Loss 4 day retreat, Queen’s House Retreat and
Renewal Centre, Saskatoon SK I would recommend this program to others because I have
witnessed the incredible healing that took place within our group. I saw
people who, in the beginning, were in desperate sadness, and finished with
HOPE. This program would be a valuable addition to any Hospice program. Its
essence of spirituality is healing, even among persons who do not belong to a
church community. Katherina Goodacre,
Transitions: Your Journey through Grief and Loss 10-week program, Duncan BC I
most appreciated the metaphors, the small group sharing, the quiet
times...actually, everything!! Thank you for a meaningful and beautiful
retreat. It’s just what I needed at this time in my life. Sr. Anita Tavera, ihm, “Fill My Cup,
Lord” Retreat, Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo I
most appreciated how thoroughly you managed to present the material in such a
short time. Also the chance to chat and mix with everyone in our small
groups. Thank you for including me in this wonderful retreat. I so enjoyed
the group. Margaret Shea,
“Fill My Cup, Lord” Retreat, Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo I
most appreciated the warmth and friendly sharing of all who attended this
retreat and getting to learn from the different religious denominations was a
real blessing. Sarah was an inspiring director. Her peaceful presentations
were fruitful and helped me to grow internally. She is a wonderful leader! Sr. Laura Distaso, ihm, “Fill My Cup,
Lord” Retreat, Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo I appreciated Sarah’s way
of presenting the material. Thanks for offering this retreat. I went away at 1 pm today with a
lighter heart and a decidedly better focus on what the Christmas season means
to me. Advent and the waiting all drawn together in your presentation
certainly made me happy I put myself first this morning. Dianne
Marks,
“Waiting in Joyful Hope: An Advent Retreat,”
St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC I most appreciated the
opportunity to be quiet! I also appreciated the opportunity to share thoughts
and reflections in a way that worked for myself and
my friend. Thank you! Julia Menard, “Waiting in Joyful Hope: An Advent Retreat,” St. John
the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC I most appreciated the
message on hope – a wonderful deepening fellowship experience. Eloise Gladders,
“Waiting in Joyful Hope: An
Advent Retreat,” St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria
BC The quality of the
presentation was excellent – well planned, prayerful, gently-led with depth.
Many thanks! I’d come again! Esther Jedynak,
“Waiting in Joyful Hope: An
Advent Retreat,” St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria
BC We found ourselves enabled to
share deeply with each other in Sarah's presence, and her ability to hear us
deeply and to pose appropriate challenges and to offer insights was an
enormous gift as we prepared for retirement. We would recommend her without
hesitation to anyone thinking through those kinds of issues.
Harold
and Claire Munn, Clergy Retirement and Wholeness, Victoria BC
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