Who is an Elder? Just what is Eldering?

If you are 60 years of age or older, join this gathering to find ways to harvest the fruits of your life experience and find renewed purpose. Eldering involves putting one’s wisdom into action or inspiring action in others. It is a time of life to build and maintain relationships with all ages; to mentor younger generations; to consider the ways we deal with inevitable loss and sorrow; and to attend to body, mind, emotions and spirit.

We will discover the skills, gifts and benefits of Eldering in relaxed surroundings and in the company of others who are on the same quest.

“Being an Elder in the twenty-first century is being a human being who is recognized by a community as having some wisdom to offer of continuing value. As such, it is not limited by age, nor is it an entitlement. It is not possible to declare oneself an Elder in the absence of relationships with others in a community.” The Eldering Institute.

 

If you are interested in attending this program, please call: 250.496.5751 or 1.877.996.5751 ext. 201. Email: [email protected].

We will then advise you as to when registration opens.

 

Add 24 hours before or after your program for $88. Rest in the arms of Naramata Centre for personal retreat and restoration time.

 

Leader(s): Kathleen Barber and Donald Grayston

Kathleen Barber

 

Kathleen is a sixty-six year old pilgrim whose journey into ‘elderness’ began with an unwillingness to look down the path, and has become an eagerness to learn and share the unfolding gifts of this great new adventure. She has recently retired from Vancouver Public Library, but not from reading and researching, from teaching sailing but not from loving the kick of the wheel and the wind on her face, from housing adult children but not from loving and worrying about them. Kathleen, who lives in Vancouver, is completing the final term of the Pacific Jubilee Program in spiritual direction and is a member of Ryerson United Church.

Don Grayston

 

Donald was born in 1939, which qualifies him, chronologically at least, as an elder. In a moment of prayer in 2004, he received this word: “Honour your elders.” Revisiting that moment a year later, it came through differently: “Honour your own eldership and that of your fellow elders.”

 

Anglican priest, spiritual director, lover of Thomas Merton and Leonard Cohen, retired faculty from SFU, Don lives in Vancouver and is a member of Christ Church Cathedral.