1. S
the Centre
cenario the Sorrento
Scenario
Reflections From the Director
Spring 2011
A Newsletter for the Associates of Sorrento Centre
The Annual A Message from the Executive Director
General Meeting
Dear Friends:
of the Associates
of Sorrento Welcome to the first Scenario for 2011. There’s been lots going on since
last we wrote, some of which you will find highlighted in these pages.
Centre
The Annual General Meeting We continue to work on our communications with you. We hope you liked
of the Associates of Sorrento the design as well as the content of our new program book. We were not
Centre will be held on Saturday, only able to update the design and increase the content; we were also
May 14, 2011, at 1:00 pm. All able to reduce the cost of printing the book due to Norman’s diligent
Associates in good standing comparison shopping. Congratulations to Norman!
are invited to attend. Those
Associates who are registered You will see some of the same design elements in our new website. This
for the Associates’ Work/ is the work of Brian Dench, our gifted webpage designer. Brian will be
Study Week and who would leading a course in Celtic Knot design at the Centre this summer so make
like to stay for the AGM are sure you drop by and give him some feedback on his work! Chris Lind
encouraged to do so. Please
note that this year the AGM One of the delights of the fall was being contacted by David Stanley, Youth Staff ‘86. David is
is being held on a Saturday helping organise a reunion for the youth staff of that year. They are arriving on Saturday July 30
rather than a Friday. This is and leaving on Sunday July 31 though we naturally hope some will want to take in the week
being done to make it easier on either side. If that’s your year, you can contact David on Facebook. If you want to organise a
for Associates who are not reunion for your year, give the office a call to check out dates.
able to attend on a week day.
Please contact the office if you One of the other eggs that’s hatching this spring is our new Sabbatical Centre. It will run from
need to book a room or extend September through May each year and it will provide an opportunity for writers, artists, clergy,
your stay with us. academics and other professionals to retreat from the busy-ness of everyday life. Some will come
with specific projects to focus on. Others will simply want to engage in the discipline of reflective
practice in order to integrate their work life, their home life and their spiritual life. If you know of
anyone in that situation, have them drop me a line at director@sorrento-centre.bc.ca.
Yours in faith,
Chris
Spring, 2011
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca

2. Spring Courses at Sorrento Centre
Tending the Holy:
A Contempletive Silent
Lenten Retreat
There is no doubt that as our world has
March 27-31 become more complex the background
layer of noise in it has increased: airplanes fly
overhead, traffic noise is inescapable, and many of us are cocooned
in the world of our ipods or mp3 players. Even in the quietest spaces
we inhabit, plumbing still gurgles, coffee makers still bubble, electric
lights still hum and fridges and fans still mumble to us.
A contemplative silent
retreat is a way for us to
escape from the tyranny of
this “audio graffiti” and to
listen past the surface noise
to the silence at the centre Dave Wides
of our relationship with God
and nature.
Brian Smith, an experienced
Springtime on the Farm:
leader in Spiritual Direction Part of the “Ecology and
and Centering Prayer, will be
facilitating a contemplative Sustainable Agriculture in BC”
silent retreat at Sorrento
Centre, “Tending the Holy”, Series
from March 27 to March
31. Brian is an Anglican For gardeners, even more than for
priest who is currently May 1-6 most people, springtime is a season of
responsible for St David’s, anticipation and hopeful preparation. It
in Celista, BC, just across the is a time when gardeners impatiently await the coming of summer
lake from Sorrento. He and and the prime growing season. Dave Wides, Sorrento Centre’s
his wife Eva run the Deep Farm Manager and Grounds Supervisor, kicks off his “Ecology and
Creek Retreat House near Sustainable Agriculture in BC” series with a hands-on workshop
Enderby, BC. focusing on the common experiences and expectations of
gardeners.
This short retreat will
allow participants to slow Time will be spent getting your hands dirty learning new methods of
themselves down to a more Brian Smith
greenhouse propagation and transplanting seedlings to the field.
natural pace in order to
experience the sort of intentional silence that helps brings us closer Classroom presentations will include practical information on
to God. Spiritual practices such as meditation, Bible readings and garden planning, crop rotation and growing heirloom vegetables.
chanting combined with Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina as well as Discussion topics are expected to be wide-ranging and thought
opportunities for individual Spiritual Direction will help participants provoking, including ecojustice, planting as an act of faith and
to listen to the world with new ears as we enter the season of Lent. explorations of traditional folklore surrounding springtime and the
act of gardening.
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento,
2011

3. Spring Courses at Sorrento Centre
Associates’ Work/Study Young Sojourners
Week On Celtic Christianity Weekend: Holy Ghost Stories
As a Sorrento Centre Associate yourself Just as the Sorrento Centre Associates
May 8-14 you know how much the Centre depends May13-15 gather in the springtime to help get the
on Associates as guardians of the past and Centre prepared for summer, a group of
shapers of the future of Sorrento Centre. Twice a year Associates have young people also gathers at the end of the Associates Week to have
the chance to gather together at the Centre to work and worship as fun, learn, share and work on some projects around the site. Known
one. In the springtime we meet for the Associates’ Work/Study Week as the “Young Sojourners”, these young people – varying in age from
to help ready the Centre for the coming summer season. There 13 to 25 – come together for a weekend of deepening their Christian
are numerous projects commitment and enjoying the company of other young people
around the site, suitable who are on the same path. The dictionary defines “sojourners” as
for any level of activity. anyone temporarily living in a place not their home, such as travelers
Gardening projects, or wanderers on a journey, such as the Hebrews in Egypt in the Old
painting, sewing, cleaning Testament. In a sense, of course, we are all sojourners in life.
and moving benches and
picnic tables are among During their “sojourn”
the many tasks that need at Sorrento Centre this
to be done. Aside from spring, these young
work, there are many people will be led by
opportunities for worship Andrew Halladay and
together and for social David Taylor, both
times. Anglican priests with
experience in youth
This year, the study portion leadership. Their
of the Work/Study Week course is called “Holy
is led by Ray Simpson Ghost Stories” and
from the Holy Island of plays on the tradition
Lindisfarne in Scotland. of ghost stories around
An Anglican priest and the campfire, but with
prolific author, Ray will the twist that these are
introduce us to the world stories about the Holy
of Celtic Christianity by Ghost or Holy Spirit
using the example of working in the world.
the Community of Aidan
Ray Simpson Like the Associates
and Hilda on Lindisfarne.
Lindisfarne is often Week, the Young
described as being, in Celtic spiritual terms, a “thin place”, a place Sojourners Weekend
where the physical and spiritual worlds intermingle. For many of also has a work
us, this is also a description of Sorrento Centre. Ray will help us tune component. The
into the waves of Celtic spirituality that will help us appreciate and Young Sojourners use the weekend to work together on a specific
protect the “thin places” in our mIdst. project which needs their youthful talents and energies. At the
same time, the Young Sojourners build life-long friendships with
The Annual General Meeting of the Associates of Sorrento Centre other Sojourners.
will be held at the end of the Associates’ Work/Study Week, at 1:00
pm on Saturday, May 14. If you plan to stay over for an extra night If you know any young people who you think would like to experience
to be able to attend the AGM, please let the office know when you this remarkable weekend please pass the information on or call our
register. office.
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 •
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, 2011
on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca •

4. Notes from the Sorrento Farm
This is going to be a very exciting year on the farm. There is a lot to look forward to and I am excited to share the abundance of
creation with all of you again this season.
-Dave Wides, Farm Manager (aka “Farmer Dave”)
Did you know that we get an average snow fall of six feet per year in Sorrento? This season has already hit that average and as a result
we have been busy here shoveling ourselves out and staying warm. When not shoveling snow I have been planning, and preparing for
our 2011 growing season. I am feeling confident and excited about our second year of farming at Sorrento Centre. We have opened up
an additional 8000 square feet of garden this season. This new space will be used for potatoes this year and converted into the Crawley
Vineyard in 2012. There is a lot to look forward to. Our strawberry harvest will be coming in earnest this season and our raspberry crop will
begin as well. In addition to our vegetable crops we will be expanding our growing activities this year.
These include:
Heirloom Peppers
We are growing 10 varieties of heirloom peppers on the farm this season. We will
be growing peppers in a full range of colors, sizes, shapes and flavors. Peppers are
a favorite in the kitchen and we will freeze some of the produce to be used year
round. Our Heirloom Pepper Project is part of our vision to develop “The Taste of
Sorrento.”
Seed Saving
We are beginning to produce our own seeds. This year we will grow snap peas, radishes
and romaine lettuce specifically for seed. Our seeds will supply our farm and will
also be available for gardeners to purchase. We are working with Stellar Seeds from
Johnson’s Landing, BC, to package and sell our seeds. Sorrento Centre Heirloom Seeds
will be available in the spring of 2012 at the Sorrento Centre Book Shop.
Dry Flower and Decorative Corn
We are growing plots of dry flowers and decorative corn this season. We will be focused
on growing strawflowers (or in Latin Helichrysum) and a beautiful variety of corn called
Painted Mountain Corn. The flowers and corn both dry on the plant and are then used
for arts and crafts projects. Our harvests will be incorporated into wreaths that will be
available in the fall of 2011.
Growing Grains
This season we will be growing test plots of grain that include two types of wheat
and one type of rye. Our grain production will be primarily dedicated to the making
of communion bread for the Centre.
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, 2011 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E

5. Fibre Arts Week - April 11-17
Exploring
Silk Painting: Curves in Fibre Art
A Meditative
Journey from Quilt Design Landscape
Start to Finish Many quilt designs use curves to achieve
a softer, less structured look. While
Come and play! Let’s think outside the
box. While working with a landscape
sewing a quilt of your choice, you can let
theme, this workshop will include
Marg Janick-Grayson leads a course for Dianne Jansson help you explore various
techniques that can be used in many art
people who want to enter a meditative methods to successfully sew curves,
quilts. Textile artist Kathy Kinsella will
journey as they explore a variety of and leave with the knowledge and
discuss personalizing fabrics by using
silk painting methods which includes: skills required for sewing future curved
textile paints and other mediums and
watercolor techniques, salt and alcohol designs.
creating trees and shrubbery from fabric
effects, serti, sun painting and over
confetti, hand-dyed cheesecloth, silk
painting. An ordained United Church
fibres or needle felting. We will explore a
minister who has facilitated many silk
different technique each day, which you
painting retreats, Marg promises that
can choose to include in the landscape
“from the time we lay our supplies out
you work on this week, and you will
to the time we pack them up to head
go home with new ideas that can be
home, the silk painting experience will
incorporated into your fibre art.
be infused with meditative practices to
help us become mindful of the present
moment and free our creative energy so
we can paint from our intuitive/spiritual
centre”. Time will also be spent soaking
in the sheer beauty of this intriguing art
form and reflecting upon what the silk
painting process has to teach us about
life.
Dianne Jansson
There are many ways to incorporate
curved seams into quilt designs.
“Drunkards Path” and “Robbing Peter
to Pay Paul” were both popular designs
in the 1800s. The early 1900s saw the
“Double Wedding Ring” pattern become
popular, and in recent years “New York
Beauty” and its variations have been
favourites of quilters. Bring a favourite Kathy Kinsella
pattern that you have been wanting to
sew, create your own design or develop A kit will be provided by the instructor at
some of the ideas and patterns that will a cost of $35 per participant which will
be provided. Class time will be peppered supplement the more easily obtained
with demonstrations, tips, completed supplies that you will bring with you to this
samples and loads of help. Please contact course. A sewing machine is required.
the office for a list of needed supplies.
Marg Janick-Grayston
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, 2011

6. Sorrento Centre News
Tractor Fund Silent Auction: Good Fun for a Good Cause
As many of you know, we began a campaign last summer to
raise money to buy a tractor for the Centre. The tractor will be
used primarily on the farm but also to mow lawn, clear snow and
do some of the more heavy duty tasks around the Centre. Those
of you who were here last summer will remember Executive
Director Chris Lind’s colourful appeals at the opening night
Orientation Gatherings on Sundays or the Director’s Receptions
on Wednesdays where he made dramatic use of a toy tractor.
Well, that toy tractor is about to become a real live tractor,
thanks to a lot of donations and the hard work that everyone
put into a fun and creative on-line auction. The auction began in
cyberspace in November and wrapped up in December. The idea
was for folks to donate time, talent or goods to be auctioned off
to the highest bidder, eBay style, with the proceeds going to the
Tractor Fund. Sorrento Centre’s friends and Associates, as well
The Kubota BX25: The tractor of our dreams! as staff members and the Board of Directors, unleashed their
creativity and we wound up with an eclectic roster of auction
items ranging from lavish five-course dinners and baskets of
handmade chocolates to original paintings and musical serenades and even a night of babysitting or a week of pet sitting. The overall goal
of the campaign was to raise $28,000. Dave Wides, our Farm Manager, has managed to negotiate a reduced price from the dealer of $24,000.
So far, we have received donations of about $10,000 plus a $5,000 grant from the Community Food Action Initiative in cooperation with
Interior Health. The auction brought in close to $4,000 more and is a great example of how creative and generous friends of the Centre can
be! As you can see we are well on our way to the tractor of our dreams!
John Bell to Lead Fundraiser June 25th
On June 25th we will be hosting a special fundraising event for the Tractor Fund, “The Big Sing” with John Bell. John Bell is a world renowned
hymn writer and author from Glasgow, Scotland, and a good friend of Sorrento Centre. John is committed to the renewal of congregational
worship at the grassroots level, and he is graciously donating his time for this special fundraiser. He believes strongly in issues of eco-
justice and sustainable food production, and wants to help us raise the funds
required to purchase a tractor for use at the Sorrento Farm. John brings warmth,
energy and passion to his belief that “everyone who has a voice” can join together
in congregational singing to make a glorious sound. Join us if you can for this
memorable occasion. John Bell and “The Big Sing” will be an inspiration for music
leaders and choir directors as well as for anyone who is interested in beautiful and
soul-lifting music.
“The Big Sing” will take place at the Sorrento Hall at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 25.
Tickets are only $20 each. There will be barbeque dinner available at the Centre
after the event, at 4:30 pm. An all you can eat meal of hamburgers, hot dogs,
barbequed beef (plus vegetarian options), three salads, coffee and dessert will be
served at the price of $12 per person. We will be highlighting as much Sorrento
Farm produce as will be available at that time. John Bell
New Lower Associate Fees
Please remember that Associate renewals were due on January 1st. If you haven’t already done so, please renew your Associate membership
to remain in good standing. This year the Board of Directors has authorized a change in Associate fees, lowering the yearly dues from $50 to
a more affordable $20. This should make it easier for existing Associates to maintain their status as well as making it possible for even more
people to become Sorrento Centre Associates. So, renew your Associate membership now and spread the word to others who you know
would like to become a vital part of Sorrento Centre’s ministry.
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, 2011

7. Sorrento Centre News
New Website Up and Running
We have been working over the winter months with our webmaster, Brian
Dench, to revamp our website to be more informative, attractive and user-
friendly than ever. The new website went live on February 14th (Valentine’s
Day by a happy coincidence) and the feedback so far has been very positive.
If you haven’t had the chance yet please go to www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
and have a look for yourself. You will find the new 2011 program book
available as a PDF download. We also have downloadable posters for each
course for anyone who wants to promote certain courses or programs in
their parish or community. You will also see that we have more space for
news and special announcements, so you can keep up to date on what
is going on at the Centre. The new website design will help us remain
competitive as a retreat and conference choice for outside bookings by
being easier to navigate and more informative about what we have to
offer. We think that the new website communicates the excitement and
dedication that is part of the entire “Sorrento Experience”. What do you
think? Please have a look and let us know.
Luncheon Reception at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
Associates and friends of Sorrento centre are invited for a series of events in support of Sorrento Centre on Sunday, March 6, at Christ Church
Cathedral in Vanccouver. Executive Director Christopher Lind will be preaching at the 8:00 am service at the Cathedral. At 12:00 pm Associates
Friends can join Chris for lunch and hear all about the exciting developments at the Centre in 2011 and share your dreams for the Centre
in 2012 and beyond. Space is limited so please contact Rayleen Nash by email at rayleenn@telus.net to reserve your place. Contributions by
donation please. Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver is located at 690 Burrard Street Vancouver.
Sorrento Centre Fundraiser in Coquitlam
The good people of St. Laurence Anglican Church, Coquitlam, came up with a great plan for supporting Sorrento Centre. An entertainment
evening of trivia games will be held on Saturday, March 5, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Chris Lind will be on hand to discuss some of the ongoing
projects at the Centre and to hear your feedback. Refreshments will be provided. Beer and wine will be on sale. Space is limited, so please
contact Erin Barr (by phone at (604) 520-1819 or by email at erinbarr2@shaw.ca) to book your tickets or if you are able to donate an item to the
door prize. Tickets are $20 per person and all profits will be donated to Sorrento Centre. Please join Chris and the parishioners of St. Laurence
Anglican Church, located at 825 St. Laurence Street in Coquitlam.
Mike Johnstone Ordained
November 14, 2010, was a memorable day for long-time Sorrento
Centre Associate Michael Johnstone and for St. Mary’s Anglican/United
Church in Sorrento. It was the day Mike was ordained as a Deacon into
the Anglican Church. The occasion was the culmination of 7 1/2 years
of study, discernment and waiting. Archbishop John Privett officiated
and over 100 congregants from the surrounding Anglican, United,
Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches witnessed the event as well as
12 visiting clergy from the area were present. The service was followed
by a potluck reception at Sorrento Centre. Michael was presented with
three stoles and an Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Prior
to the ordination Mike was presented with a shawl given by St. Mary’s
Prayer Shawl ministry. It was a most glorious occasion to celebrate
Archbishop John Privett ordains the Michael’s new ministry in the parish.
Rev. Michael Johnstone
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca 2011
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring,

8. Sorrento Centre Summer Employment
Every summer Sorrento Centre hires approximately twenty summer staff, including
Summer Youth Staff (SYS) to help us run our summer programs and augment our core
staff. Most SYS are housed on site, and work, live and play together for the summer,
building employment skills and experience in leadership and problem solving, while at
the same time establishing life-long friendships. We also have openings for people who
live in the community to be employed full-time for the summer season.
Some of the areas we need staff to work in include:
Kitchen and Dining Room Staff
As the number of guests we have increases during the summer so does our need for
cooks, prep cooks, servers and dishwashers in the kitchen and set-up and clean-up staff
for the dining room. Because of the different meal and snack times, kitchen and dining
staff usually work a variety of shifts and become familiar with all aspects of food service
Children and Youth Leaders
which can be a valuable skill for future employment.
Staffed mostly by SYS, the Children and Youth
leaders provide activities and instruction to the
younger members of the families that come to
Housekeeping Staff Sorrento’s summer programming. They work
The increased number of guests also means that during the summer we have a lot more with children aged from infants up to 13 and
beds to make and rooms to clean. Housekeeping tasks also includes maintaining the youths from the ages of 14 to 18. Staff plan
cleanliness of all common areas and some laundry and ironing work. Housekeeping shifts and carry out various craft projects, games,
are generally regular set hours. hikes and outdoor activities as well as religious
instruction. We also have a Day Care program
for local children and youth which the Children
and Youth Staff also manage. Each week they
Waterfront Staff and Lifeguards (NLS Certified) are responsible for one morning Eucharist. In
Waterfront staff act as lifeguards (NSI Certification needed) at the Sorrento Centre addition they make sure those activities like
Community Beach as well as helping plan activities for children and youth programs at the Monday night campfire, Skit Night and the
the waterfront. Friday evening dance go off without a hitch…
not to mention the always popular Thursday
afternoon water fight! Typically, once “The Five
Weeks of Summer” are over and there is no more
Children and Youth programming, the Summer
Staff rotate into other areas of work to round
out their Sorrento Summer experience.
Grounds and Farm Staff
There are openings with the Groundskeeping and Farm crew throughout the summer.
Lawn mowing, tending the gardens and pathways, and helping plant and harvest at
the Sorrento Farm, are among the types of jobs available throughout the summer.
Maintenance Staff
Maintenance staff work with the Head of Maintenance to repair and maintain the physical
structures on site, as well as working on special building projects.
How to Apply
We are now taking applications for all of these positions. Most summer staff positions are six to eight week commitments. Please
forward your resume to us by mail at Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0 or by –mail at reception@sorrento-centre.bc.ca or by fax at (250)
675 3032. For more information, visit our website (sorrent-centre.bc.ca) or call the office at 250-675-2421.
Sorrento Centre Summer Spring, BC, V0E 2W0 • (250) 675-2421 • fax: (250) 675-3032 • e-mail: info@sorrento-centre.bc.ca • on-line: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca
Sorrento Centre • Box 99, Sorrento, 2011