A Note of Gratitude
A message from Executive Director Michael Shapcott, Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Blue skies! Sunny days!
We have plenty to be thankful for at the Sorrento Centre – especially as we settle into mid-fall with bright blue skies, glorious sunshine and wonderful starry nights. July, August and September saw heavy smoke, an ongoing drought and we were forced to evacuate more than 200 guests and staff due to a nearby wildfire. We had to cancel several events. Many of our Shuswap neighbours lost homes and had livelihoods disrupted.
As we moved through Thanksgiving weekend with more than 40 of our Associates and our Board of Directors, we welcomed National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper. We’re grateful to be able to welcome these and other dear friends back to our beloved Centre.
We’re grateful for BC Wildfire and local firefighters, trained volunteers, first responders and police for their efforts during the recent wildfire. We’re grateful to Columbia-Shuswap Regional District’s emergency services for offering practical assistance to us and other evacuees. We’re grateful for many acts of kindness – large and small – during challenging times.
We’re grateful for many prayers offered for our Centre and our neighbours – we were comforted in times of deep distress. We’re grateful for financial donations from our guests and our friends – small and large, every bit of support is precious to our Centre.
The catastrophic conditions of this year came as the Sorrento Centre was celebrating our 60th anniversary. Our Board and staff have used this time to look back with fondness and to look forward to our next 60 years as a gathering place for all, a holy place of transformation for learning, healing and belonging.
Our theme for 2024 is “nourish”. We aim, through events and activities, to nourish body, mind and soul on our main campus, at our farm and in the wider community.
In gratitude,
Michael Shapcott, Executive Director
