It started with a song…
One of the most memorable hits of the Canadian rock band, Barenaked Ladies, is “If I Had a Million Dollars.” Have you ever dreamed of winning a million dollars? What would you do with such a windfall? Would you pay off debts, help your church, take a trip, fund a mission trip, give to worthy charities, or share it with loved ones?
The children’s song lyrics: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” often comes to mind. Over the years, the challenges of life can dim the Light of Christ within us. Some of us grow weary; the fire that we experienced when we chose to follow Jesus can fade. So when I thought of what I would do if I ever won a large sum of money, I dreamed of creating a warm, hospitable spiritual retreat centre called Roots + Wings.
Rooted in nature and solidly grounded in faith, this little haven would be a place where Christians could explore whatever they needed to nurture their faith, deepen their commitment, and re-fuel their soul. It would be a sanctuary where guests could be given the tools to re-group, re-focus, and soar. I wanted to build a space where new hopes and dreams could take flight and guests could embrace a new sense of purpose or rediscover one they’ve always had. I wanted guests to go home refreshed and inspired.
. . .But, I never won a million dollars. So, the spiritual retreat centre only lived on in my dreams.
In 2019, after I returned to Canada after years of working and living in the States, I went out to dinner with an old friend and someone I just met. All three of us are women in ministry and we had a lot to talk about! Over burgers, fries, and drinks, they told me about their dream to support women’s leadership in the Church and I shared my dream of creating a spiritual retreat centre. Together, we dreamed of an online space that would be a gathering place for women and people of all genders to access tools and resources to feel grounded in their faith and inspired to soar in their own spirituality and leadership. Like the saying goes, we wanted people to “bloom wherever they were planted.”
Roots + Wings has taken birth in a way that I couldn’t even imagine when I first heard that Barenaked Ladies’ song. This website is a gift to the Canadian Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US & Canada, women who lead in all kinds of ministries in their church and community, and to all those who are involved in women’s ministry in Canada.
Also, we’re an inclusive bunch. So, you might see content that both reflects your values and invites you out of your comfort zone. Janet, Awit and I will administer the site, but this is your spiritual retreat centre, your online sanctuary, and your place to explore, contribute, feel grounded, and soar. Enjoy the content curated for you and your community of faith. Breathe in the fresh thoughts and feelings it inspires in you. We wish you peace, hope, laughter, and love on our journey together.
Holy & Healing Spirit,
We offer you this new adventure in faith. Help us to generate a safer space that nurtures the weary; fosters creativity; energizes joy; and restores purpose and vision in our lives. May we reflect your unconditional Love, Grace, and Peace. May we answer your call to make a difference: to do justice, to love kindness; and to walk with humility. Help us be Grounded. Help us Soar. We pray for all of this in the name of the One who reconciled us to you.
Amen.
Rev. Terry Tribe is a lover of small outdoor wonders, children, animal companions, human stories and laughter. She serves as the Spiritual Care Practitioner with St. Joseph’s Hospice and with the Palliative Care Outreach Teams of the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) in the London-Middlesex region of Ontario. She is one of the curators of the Roots + Wings website.