The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:15-20
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Hello friends,
Greetings from a rather windy and rainy — but still beautifully green (I'm still getting used to this coastal climate) — Brooksdale! The first term of my apprenticeship is done, with interns now dispersed around the world: back to Australia, the UK, Switzerland, and a few around Canada. Thankfully there are some locals in the mix so I won’t be in total withdrawal from these new friends!
This new role I’m in at A Rocha has been a smooth transition and has been mostly what I expected; the administrative aspect means I get the joy of reading new applications and talking to people interested in our program. During work hours my role varies from being in the office, to connecting with interns in their program areas, and participating in the teaching sessions covering theology, education, conservation, agriculture, and the lines connecting them. It has been encouraging to see the building up and transformation that happened this term. Interns shared many beautiful things; that they’ve come to a place of hope about the environment and God’s good plans, that the community has been a safe place to ask questions and grow spiritually, and that the experiences they’ve gained in their program areas have been valuable and useful. I know they’ll bring that hope and experience back to their own communities.
Beyond that, there is plenty to get involved with at A Rocha, so like a lot of the staff I end up being a jack of all trades and filling in where needed. Some of the role involves “think-tanking” on internship with Sarah Wildeman, who runs the program — the why’s and how’s of running an ever-evolving program in an ever-evolving organization. Sarah is full of wisdom, insight, and experience, and I benefit greatly from her gifts both as a mentor and as a friend. The things I’ve found challenging here aren’t surprising or new, and more often than not they relate to knowing and accepting myself in the context of community. This term we had 8 people sharing a rather small house! We had our moments, and it was a diverse group of interns, but there was a lot of love and bonding that happened within our little house. This term the group moved quickly into family mode -- lots of teasing and joking around, many wine and cheese nights, cooking for each other even on weekends, and comfortable silence, which made for a very “homey feeling” fall. With there being quite a rush of applicants for the next few terms (which is amazing!), the space challenge isn’t going anywhere, so we will continue to be creative in finding space and in showing hospitality to one another.
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Part of the goal of internships and A Rocha is to share in spiritual life and learning together. We have many amazing teaching sessions but one that was impactful for me this fall was on Christian Orthodoxy. I’ve understood it to be the foundations of the Christian faith summarized in the creeds written by the early church. This has been a new (to me) framework to quiet me when anxiety and unsettledness about the many issues of faith and life we all wrestle with being to overwhelm me. Eventually in those times I am reminded through a verse or conversation or a glimpse of God’s kingdom here on earth that the whole thing is both simpler and more complex than I can understand. So I rest knowing that God is good; that I need the community of God — Father, Son, and Spirit (and the community of God’s people) — to teach me about what real love and goodness is and to walk with me. I can rest in the mystery and stand on the truth of God’s word, while continuing to seek God in old and new ways.
This shifting and settling in my faith has been significant for me and it’s a privilege to be thinking and living out these ideas in such a varied community of staff and their families, volunteers, and interns. Interns come with diverse experiences of life and faith and this richness often surfaces in our teaching and discussion times. God’s creativity is evidenced in the intern’s lives and personalities, each one bringing a beautiful expression of God’s breadth across cultural and denominational lines. I dearly loved getting to know everyone this term, and benefited from the personality and character they brought; the humour, dedication, compassion, hard work, authenticity, creativity, hospitality, deep kindness, friendship, and many other gifts.
I’ve also been humbled and encouraged by the support I’ve received in this new role — the amazing financial support, encouragements, prayer, and connection have been grounding and transformative for me. It is heartening to know that I am held up by a beautiful network of people and that this work that I do and that A Rocha does is valued. Thank you to those who have prayed for me, thought of me and encouraged me, and donated towards my position — I couldn’t do it without you!
May you be experience the peace of God's presence with you this season,
- Patrice
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| We have a new wetland that was created for habitat and to restore the land between Hazelmere (the future intern housing) and the main Brooksdale property! We had amazing volunteers who came regularly to build the bridge and the pathway in the picture. It is a joy to watch the river in the fall -- to see the strength of it as the water rises, and hopefully see a spawning salmon. |
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| Thank you to my extended community for supporting me in many ways! If you are interested in supporting my work financially with A Rocha, here is the link to donate. And if you want to come and stay, we have a beautiful guesthouse here and I'd love to show you around and spend some time with you -- please get in touch! My email is engel.patrice@gmail.com. |
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Widgeon Falls, near Pitt Meadows, where I went with the interns for a day. There were natural rock slides and huge boulders in the crystal clear, freezing cold water!
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| Terra, a new resident on site! She was delighted with the first snowfall here. |
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