Fill This Land with The Father's Glory

Graham Kendrick's well-known hymn, Lord the light of Your love is shining (often referred to as Shine Jesus Shine) contains the line “fill this land with the Father's glory” which seems as though it were written just for Sorrento Centre. This year, 2023, marks the 60th anniversary of Sorrento Centre.

The Rev. David Taylor, who begins his incumbency as Rector of St. Mark, Ocean Park September 16, and the Archdeacon of Lougheed, the Venerable Andrew Halladay, Vicar of St. Andrew's in Langley led the morning worship services in the Centre's outdoor chapel named for St. Francis. They have been worship leaders at Sorrento for many years and enjoy gathering there each summer with their two young sons, along with many family members from Calgary. They each participated in leading the worship music, and the Rev. Taylor offered engaging and inspiring homilies to start each morning.

As has been the case for the past few years, the Centre's Executive Director, Deacon, the Rev. Michael Shapcott and his staff provided warm hospitality and great experiences for all. The summer staff children's and youth program leaders, Hayden Blair of Victoria and Aleta Pappas of Edmonton did an exceptional job organizing and overseeing the children's and youth programming. Both Hayden and Aleta are longtime Sorrento Centre attendees and have previously served as Summer Youth Staff.

Several clergy (some currently active, and some retired) connected to the Diocese of New Westminster were at Sorrento Centre during the ten days, including: the Archbishop of the Diocese of Kootenay and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon, the Most Rev. Lynne McNaughton; Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral the Very Rev. Christopher Pappas; retired Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral the Very. Rev. Peter Elliott; retired Bishop of Edmonton and former Executive Director of Sorrento Centre, the Right Rev. Ken Genge and his wife Ruth; the Venerable Richard Leggett; the Rev. Paula Porter Leggett; the Rev. Jonathan Pinkney the Rev. Jessica Schaap and the Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan.

In addition to the children’s and youth programs and the rest and relaxation program, several courses were going on during this time which included parts of two summer programming weeks. Archbishop Lynne McNaughton led a course called “Clothed in God: Christian Mystics”, and the Very Reverend Peter Elliott and the current Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, the Very Reverend Nathan LeRud led a course called “Gospel of Musical Theatre: Race and Redemption”. Dean Nathan LeRud co-led via Zoom from Portland. Salmon Arm resident and longtime Centre attendee and program leader, Phil McIntyre-Paul led a five-day hiking course called “21st Century Pilgrims: Walking on Holy Ground”.

Jane Dittrich and Lauren Odile-Pinkney, Children, Youth & Families Minister at Christ Church Cathedral/Missioner for Youth/Chair of DYM for the diocese organized social gatherings for the July 10th 'Cathedral Week', all of which were well-attended and proved to be opportunities for fun and fellowship. On Monday, Lauren prepared slushy mocktails served on the back porch of the Centre's office building, Spes Bona, while a singalong organized by Jane happened on the lawn, using songs from Sorrento Centre's old worship songbooks. The Rev. David Taylor got the singalong started with his infectious brand of musical direction, and a special time was had by all as refreshing cold drinks were enjoyed on a day that reached the mid-30s in temperature. On Tuesday, a group of about fifteen enjoyed a walk in Herald Provincial Park (located 29 km from the Centre) to Margaret Falls, one of BC's famed waterfalls. Supersized ice cream at the Tappen Co-Op on the Trans-Canada Hwy followed, especially to the delight of Kiran, enjoying his first ice cream cone on what was his third birthday! Kiran is the eldest son of the Cathedral's vicar, the Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan. On Wednesday a group of nearly twenty-five went to the Shuswap Cider Company in Salmon Arm to enjoy organically sourced BC fruit ciders, non-alcoholic drinks (for those driving) and delicious pizza prepared by Panzudo Pizza. Dean Christopher Pappas offered some spiritual reflections, and then asked those gathered to break into smaller groups and discuss the Five Marks of Mission. It was a wonderful few hour of conversation, people getting to know each other, all complimented by delicious food and drink.

Other activities included the Monday night campfire, treats and singalong at the beach (due to the open fire ban in BC, the “campfire” was a controlled propane fire pit), and a Wednesday evening talk titled “Coming Home to the Heart” by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton. Following her talk, Archbishop McNaughton planted and blessed a tree in celebration of and in gratitude for the Centre's 60 years of ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada. Thursday eve was the “Sorrento's Got Talent” night, and Friday afternoon saw the Closing Eucharist/Gratitude Gathering in the outdoor chapel of St. Francis, followed by a Community Dinner and a dance in the Centre's outdoor Amphitheatre, Kekuli. During the Eucharist/Gratitude Gathering, Executive Director, the Rev. Michael Shapcott thanked the Parish of Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver for its ongoing support of the Centre.

Sorrento Centre, located on twenty-five acres of gorgeous waterfront property on Shuswap Lake, remains a place of: hospitality, friendships old and new, learning, personal and spiritual growth, care for each other and for the earth, and of great holiday times for all ages. As is always the case, the guests are a mix of people who have deep roots and lengthy histories with the Centre, and people attending for the first time. One young family from the Diocese of New Westminster came for the first time in 2023 and while one of the children declared that “Sorrento was his favourite trip”, his father stated, “for me, it was the most relaxing”. Have a look at the web site (sorrentocentre.ca) and follow theFacebook page to keep informed on everything going on at Sorrento throughout the year, and for various ways that you can support the life and work of the Centre. Congratulations Sorrento Centre on 60 extraordinary years!

                           Prayer said at the blessing and planting of the anniversary tree 

Article and photos by Jane Dittrich ODNW

(Christ Church Cathedral's Representative to Sorrento Centre)

IMAGES

1. The sunrise above the Centre’s office building, Spes Bona
2. The two summer staff programming leaders and the four summer youth staff members introducing themselves during the July 9th orientation
3. People lining up to get slushy mocktails made and served by Lauren Odile Pinkney
4. The Rev. David Taylor and the Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral the Very Rev. Chris Pappas enjoying some refreshing drinks and conversation
5. A sing-a-along, using the old Sorrento Centre worship songbooks
6. Dean Chris Pappas enjoying time with his granddaughter
7. Lauren Odile Pinkney and Jane Dittrich share the announcements at morning worship in St. Francis Chapel
8. Sunrise over St. Francis Chapel
9.  Jane Dittrich with Ken and Ruth Genge. Ken is a retired bishop of the Diocese of Edmonton, and once served as Director of Sorrento Centre. They now attend St. George’s, Fort Langley
10. One of Archbishop Lynne McNaughton’s children, Jasper Kessler, perfecting a marshmallow at the beach campfire
11. Longtime Sorrento Centre attendee, associate, and current board member Elisabeth Thompson of Edmonton and summer program leader Hayden Blair of Victoria leading a beach singalong
12. Lauren Odile Pinkney, Liz MacDonald of All Saints, Ladner, the Reverends Andrew Halladay and David Taylor leading morning worship
13. The Centre’s waterfront
14. PWRDF Youth Council members Duncan Chalmers and Robyn Sulkko
15. The Rev. David Taylor delivering a homily at morning worship
16. Outing to Shuswap Cider Company in Salmon Arm
17. Archbishop Lynne McNaughton watering the tree which she had just planted to commemorate Sorrento Centre’s 60th anniversary
18. People gathering to say a prayer at the planting of an anniversary tree at the Centre by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton  
19. Morning worship in St. Francis Chapel, led by the Rev. Andrew Halladay
20. Group shot of the participants in Archbishop Lynne McNaughton’s course “Clothed in God: Christian Mystics”
21. Group shot of the participants in Dean Peter Elliott and Dean Nathan LeRud’s course “Gospel of Musical Theatre: Race and Redemption”
22. Jane Dittrich and Robb Watt, ODNW (Robb is the Warden of the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster) of St. Catherine’s in North Vancouver catching up. Robb and Alison Watt took TVR Peter Elliott’s and Dean Nathan LeRud’s course
23. Dean Chris Pappas and Archbishop Lynne McNaughton enjoying some chat time together 

24. Dean Chris Pappas and longtime Christ Church Cathedral parishioner Lesley Godwin following morning worship 

25. Course leader Phil McIntyre-Paul (on the right) getting ready to lead a hike. His course was called “21st Century Pilgrims: Walking on Holy Ground” 

26. Group ice cream break at Tappen Co-Op following a walk at Margaret Falls 

     

27. Jane Dittrich and Kiran enjoying ice cream. This day marked Kiran’s 3rd birthday, and his first ice cream cone! He is the eldest son of Christ Church Cathedral’s vicar, the Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan and her husband Chris

28. The Rev. Jessica Schaap and her family, Jennifer Halyk of Christ Church Cathedral, Jane Dittrich, Kiran, and Karen Blair of Victoria on the trail to Margaret Falls

29. Jane Dittrich, Archbishop Lynne McNaughton and Sorrento Centre’s Executive Director the Rev. Michael Shapcott at St. Mary’s Anglican-United Church in Sorrento BC