What we’re about
This group creates opportunities for you to experience deeper connections in life - either within yourself, with others, the world around us, or the divine cosmos itself.
Whether you feel it through your mind, your body or your inner being, there can be an awakening and/or transformation that, in the end, leads to greater wholeness, purpose and a sense of belonging.
Utilizing effective models and practices such as Conversation Cafés, TED Talk Discussions, Weekend Retreats, Workshops and Seminars, Sacred Listening Circles, Book Clubs, Food & Nutrition Classes, Holistic Mind-Body Practices, Mindfulness and Meditation, Pay-it-Forward Campaigns, Krafting Kindness Activities, Care & Compassion Programs, Adult Colouring Therapy, Zentangling and Journalling , and many others, a more compelling picture begins to emerge of how everything is interconnected.
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS MEETUP
"Another stellar moment at Coffee Culture. Love to share with all of you." -Lois C.
"Another great meeting, always good conversation, and friendly atmosphere." -Mel R.
"Good & Good. As usual. Always enjoyable." -Christine G.
"I am so grateful for our connection this morning. What a genuine community, I am so glad I made it out. I will be back!" -Anne M.
"I had a fantastic time. Friendly people and fascinating topics." -Shane K.
"I felt very welcomed to your group. I wasn't sure what to expect, what would happen or what we would talk about. I was pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed myself. Thank you. In fact, the topic of discussion stayed with me for several hours, it did broaden my mind. Great morning." -Barb M.
ABOUT US
CREATING CONNECTION CANADA is a network of welcoming and inclusive communities committed to sharing authentic conversation, nurturing meaningful activities, promoting holistic wellness practices, and fostering compassionate action. We are LGBTQ+ affirming.
As a REGISTERED NON-PROFIT charity working to bring community together through like-minded interests, we welcome and gratefully appreciate any financial support. Tax receipts are provided.
- MAKE A CREDIT CARD DONATION
- SEND AN E-TRANSFER to donations@creatingconnection.ca
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Men's Retreat $170 - September 19 - 21st Hills of Peace Campground, AlbertaHills of Peace Campground, Provost No. 52, AB
“Hope Into Action - Where do we go from here?”
To register go to Hope in Action Western Canada Men's Retreat 2025 — Canada West Mission (CWM)
$170 per person includes all meals, accommodation, and class supplies.Guest Facilitator – Chris Phelps
I am husband of Erica, father of Amelia and Katelyn. For years, and years, and years I was the pastor or co-pastor of the Vancouver Congregation of Community of Christ. I recently finished a 15 year terms as the director of CWM Reunion at Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center (in Washington State) and am currently the President of the Board of Directors of the Samish Island Campground Association. I did my time at Graceland College (not University as I’m too old for that particular change) and graduated in 1994. I’ve completed the Spiritual Formation and Companioning Program, and am therefore a registered good listener.
I am a guitar player, pianist, singer, and lover of music in most forms. I am an avid golfer and skier, although not very good at either. I love interesting discussion, deep conversation, and sharing ideas of how to make the world a more joyful and hopeful place.
I’ve never been to Hills of Peace, but have heard many a tale. I look forward to sharing with everyone at the Men’s Retreat - and enjoying a slice of pie or three.
Schedule
“Hope Into Action - Where do we go from here?”
Sept 19
7:00 pm Arrive and Get Settled
8:00 pm Ice-breaker -Jae Senga
9:00 pm Snack
Sept 20
8:30 am Breakfast
9:45 am Hope in Listening and Learning
10:45 am Break
11:10 am Hope in Community Discernment
12:15 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Making Hope Real in Action
3:00 pm Hang out and perform camp close-up activities.
5:30 pm Supper
7:00 pm Hope is our Story!
8:00 pm Campfire
9:00 pm Fun and food in the dining hall
Sept 21
8:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am Cleanup
10:30 am Worship – Ryan Levitt, Speaker - Chris Phelps
11:30 am Head Out with sack lunch“Hope Into Action - Where do we go from here?”
To register go to Hope in Action Western Canada Men's Retreat 2025 — Canada West Mission (CWM)
$170 per person includes all meals, accommodation, and class supplies. - Release Your Inner Writer - Monday's at 4pm pacific, 5pm mountain, 6pm centralLink visible for attendees
Release Your Inner Writer
Release Your Inner Writer is for anyone who feels they are a writer, wants to be a writer, or those who want to explore writing in a comfortable and supportive setting. We’ll set the stage for you to write creatively with opportunities to share with the group, or not, whatever you’re comfortable with.Have you ever thought: “I have an interesting story, but I don’t know how to start sharing it with people”? Have you ever thought of writing a book? Do you simply want to start journaling? Every person has a story to share, and all of them are transformational for us and sometimes for others. When we write our thoughts and ideas down, we move internal content to an external device like a notebook or a laptop. By doing this we’re able to clear our heads and uncover one layer after another.
Hosted by Kathy Nutt
Kathy Nutt is a creative who uses many media and styles to convey a glimpse into her mysterious, whimsical world. Although mainly focused on the visual arts, she dabbles in the written word and is endeavoring to cultivate a consistent practice of writing, whether it be poetry, essays, short stories, or journaling.
Kathy believes a writing practice (along with any creative practice) is a beneficial way to break through the mundane and view our worlds through fresh new eyes. We may discover a breakthrough, change a pattern, or just experience catharsis. Or we may simply arrive in a place of joy. She believes the creative process is more important than the finished product and that creativity is for everyone, not just the gifted few.CREATING CONNECTION CANADA is a network of welcoming and inclusive communities committed to sharing authentic conversation, nurturing meaningful activities, promoting holistic wellness practices, and fostering compassionate action. We are LGBTQ+ affirming. People of every walk of life, culture, faith, or tradition, participate in a myriad of connection groups, forming meaningful community within this diversity. As a result, these communities are multi-faceted - expressing the inspirations, aspirations, wisdom, practices, and blessing of all. While we encourage you to share openly, we ask that you do so in a kind and considerate manner.
As a REGISTERED NON-PROFIT charity working to bring community together through like-minded interests, we welcome and gratefully appreciate any financial support. Tax receipts are provided.
CREDIT CARD: http://donations.creatingconnection.ca
E-TRANSFER: donations@creatingconnection.ca - Nurturing Silence Retreat: Connect. Renew. RestoreSamish Island Retreat Centre, Bow , WA
Nurturing Silence Retreat: Connect. Renew. Restore.
October 17-19, 2025
For more information and to register go to: Nurturing Silence Retreat: Connect. Renew. Restore. — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)Registration is open until October 3rd.
To find out more about Samish Island Retreat Centre go to:
Samish Island Retreat Centre, WashingtonYou are invited to a two-day meditation retreat at the peaceful Samish Island Community of Christ Campground and Retreat Centre.
This predominantly silent retreat offers an opportunity to step away from the noise of everyday life and settle into stillness. Through silence and guided mindfulness practices, you’ll be supported in slowing down, listening inward, and reconnecting with your inner clarity and calm.
Mindfulness offerings include:
- Labyrinth and Walking Meditation
- Gentle Hatha & Yin Yoga
- Pranayama Breathwork
- Neurographic Drawing
- Sound Bathing
- Yoga Nidra (guided deep relaxation)
- Bonfire under the stars (weather permitting)
Whether you're new to meditation or returning to deepen your practice, this retreat provides a nurturing space to connect, renew and restore.
*Cost:
$225 Cdn/person
$170 Cdn/person for students and under 25 years*includes Friday dinner, Saturday meals, Sunday breakfast, coffee/tea bar and light snacks; programming, final camp clean, and cabin accommodation with shared bath.
Please note: If registration exceeds 20 people, overflow lodging will be in renovated rustic cabins with shared bath house.
Register by October 3rd to ensure we have enough people to cover costs.
Susan Watkins Biography:
With a calm, heart-led presence, Susan Watkins creates safe, inclusive spaces where each person is encouraged to move at their own pace and honor their unique path. Susan is a trauma-informed E-CYT 500 yoga and meditation teacher, sound healing practitioner, with over 10 years of experience and 3,000+ hours of teaching and training. Her background is rooted in Hatha Yoga, Yin, and Yoga Nidra. Susan weaves together mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and immersive sound journeys to support retreat guests in deep rest, and returning to a sense of peace, clarity and inner connection.What to bring:
Personal items, including towels and bedding, a yoga mat (mats will also be provided), indoor slippers or shoes, warm and waterproof outwear, flashlight, journal, a warm blanket, etc. - Spiritual Life Writing Online Retreat October 18-19, 2025Link visible for attendees
Register today at Events — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)
What’s your story?
We all have amazing stories to tell yet we often wrestle with “how” to tell them, and how to avoid becoming overwhelmed or at a loss when sharing about life, faith, tradition, and spirituality.
Are ready to tell the story of your spirit, but are unsure where to start? This is the retreat you have been looking for!
Spiritual life writing offers a compassionate space for self discovery, healing, and hope. At this retreat we will explore how telling stories can be meaningful, powerful and liberating for both the storyteller and the listener. You will learn simple yet impactful ways to write your stories in a manner that leaves you feeling empowered and your readers touched.
Absolutely no writing experience is necessary, and you will not be required to share your work (but don’t be surprised if you end up wanting to)!
Register to attend our online Spiritual Life Writing Retreat Events — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)
hosted by Creating Connection featuring authors Susan Scott with Lana Cullis and Sharon S. Hines, and special guest author Traci Skuce.
$75 per person includes electronic (Kindle) version of the Spiritual Life Writing Workbook.
Two Days!
Saturday October 18th 10am to 5pm PDT
Sunday October 19th 10am to 5pm PDT* Zoom link will be emailed to you one week prior to the retreat*
Register here: Event Details — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)Meet the authors!
Susan Scott (susanlscott.ca) is a Great Lakes writer working at the crossroads of story, spirit, self, and culture. She has midwifed dozens of books, including scholarship and memoirs, and has been editing with The New Quarterly (TNQ) literary magazine since 2009. Susan has led award-winning initiatives in the environmental humanities and in arts-and-culture work with First Nations, immigrants, and settlers. Edited collections include Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers; Stories in my Neighbour’s Faith; and more. Reach out to Susan for news about groundbreaking work with artists, activists, and adventuresome scholars around the globe.Lana Cullis (lanacullis.com) is committed to encouraging kinship among writers. Lana values spiritual life writing as a creative way to access hidden desires, promote healing, and encourage self-determination. She is an ordained lay minister who respects lessons from traditional elders, nature, and family lineage. Lana strives to be a bridge between people of differing faiths. Her writing draws on waking dreams, voices, and visions that reveal the tender places where human truth, individuality, and courage intersect. Lana lives, writes, and plays in qathet, on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada.
Sharon S. Hines (sharonhines.com) is on a mission to become a better storyteller — and to help others do the same. She writes and teaches with the goal of encouraging spiritual seekers of all stripes to develop a personal relationship with God. She invites writers and readers on a journey to discover the joys, challenges, and hidden benefits of writing down and pondering the stories of their normal, everyday spiritual experiences. She begins from the premise that those who share their spiritual experiences should be acknowledged as truth-tellers. Her particular passion is helping rank beginners get their first story written.
Traci Skuce (traciskuce.com) is the author of the short story collection Hunger Moon, released in April 2020 by NeWest Press. Many of these stories first appeared in publications across North America, including Grain, New Ohio Review, The New Quarterly, and Prairie Fire. Hunger Moon was a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writers Prize. In her work with writers, she holds space for their humanity and their divinity. Traci asks deep questions so they can dig down and discover who they are and what they really want to say. Traci Skuce lives, writes and swims on the traditional and unceded territories of the K'omoks First Nation in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC.
**Register today at Events — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)
