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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
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