December 18, 2016
  

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors 
wishes you peace, love 
and joy as you celebrate 
Christmas traditions
with those you hold dear.
Board of Directors Update
From November 25-27, the Board of Directors gathered at the Centre to continue planning for Summer 2017 and the year ahead. Memories of winter session and summer-staff days lingered in the minds of many board members as we gathered in Alberta Hall to discuss the business items that need addressing. See the December 9th email from Board Chair Doug Woollard for details.

Summer 2017 program and accommodation registration
Naramata Centre will be open for programs and accommodations from May 15 - October 15, 2017, with "Hearts and Hands" volunteer work weeks before and after these dates.
Photo: Keri Wehlander

Program and accommodation registrations will begin near the end of January. Stay tuned for exact dates and early-bird registration information! 

Numerous supports must be organized before registration can begin. When we open registration we will have:
  • Hired a part-time administrative coordinator to assist program leaders and registrants.
  • Mailed 60+ program proposal packages and application forms to those who have expressed interest in providing leadership for our 2017 programs.
  • Developed an online registration system programmed for our needs.
  • Selected programs and built an online program calendar.
If you are interested in providing a program 
at Naramata Centre next summer, and have not requested 
a program proposal package, please email  [email protected]  today.
The deadline for program proposal submissions 
is  January 2, 2017.

Come to the Centre this winter!
If you are looking to escape the cold of Alberta and the rain (or snow) on the B.C. coast this winter, come to Naramata Centre in the 
Photo:  Jenne Newman
Okanagan. We are opening accommodations to people looking for
a time of personal retreat, quiet and contemplation. 

Two types of self-contained accommodation offerings will be available: East Court is available for stays up-to-a-month long and Orchard Court is available for up-to-seven days for small groups. Check the  Naramata Centre website for details. While you are here, you are welcome to join the local Centre community in activities such as Sacred Pause. There are also opportunities to engage with local yoga, Reiki, spiritual direction and more.
 
Email  [email protected] for further details or to book accommodations for your stay.

Legacy gift to Naramata Centre
The Naramata Centre Society Board expresses our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the gift of a very generous legacy from the estate of Jan Tollefson. Jan called Naramata her  "Spiritual Home." Her family let us know that "as a frequent participant, she wanted to thank all the Centre leaders and friends who gave her support and encouragement over many years."

We have a number of people in our Legacy Circle who, like Jan, have a special place in their hearts for Naramata Centre. If you would like to consider leaving a legacy gift to the Centre, email  [email protected] and we will arrange to speak with you. 
Faithful Earthkeeping
Vancouver School of Theology (VST) course 
April 24-28, 2017 at Naramata Centre
Enrol in this course to consider the Christian foundations and motivations for care of the earth. Discussions, readings and lectures will be framed by the issues of food security, biodiversity loss, climate change and land ethics. The course can be taken for credit 
or for interest.
 
Leah Kostamo, who helped set up A Rocha, a Christian Environmental Centre in Canada in 2003, will teach the course.
 
For more information and to register, visit  www.vst.edu.

AGM 2017
The Naramata Centre Society's next annual general meeting will be held May 6, 2017. Non-members can attend this meeting, but those who wish to vote must be members.  Our bylaws require that, in order to vote, one must be a member for at least three months in advance of the meeting. The bylaw states:" Each person who has been a member for at least three months, shall have one vote at all meetings of the Society."
 
February 5, 2017, is the last date to purchase a membership . You can do that here if you are not currently a member and wish to vote at the AGM. In addition to the opportunity to vote, your membership demonstrates your support for the work of the Board and the Society.
 
A Hearts and Hands volunteer work event is scheduled for the week after the May AGM . Plan to come for the AGM and stay for the week to share fellowship, volunteer efforts and offerings of spiritual nurture!

Gratitude
Rob and Judy Hutchinson long-time Centre supporters, are now formatting and sending our email communications to you. Their assistance is greatly appreciated, as it takes a time-consuming task off the to-do list for Board members. Thank you Rob and Judy!
 
Roswitha Masson, a local Naramata resident, provided a yoga program in Summer 2016 and also led complementary yoga sessions on the beach early every Wednesday morning, open to all Centre participants. Thank you, Roswitha, for this generous gift of your time and peaceful presence each week!
 
Naramata Centre Donors As 2016 draws to a close, we extend sincere thanks to our monthly, annual and occasional donors. The Board is grateful for your financial support of the Centre. (Tax receipts will be issued in February.) 

If you are looking to donate some funds before the year-end, consider supporting Naramata Centre this year. We will happily apply them to our Christmas list (ongoing operations and maintenance) and send you a tax receipt!   Donate here! 
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Faithful Earthkeeping
April 24-28, 2017

Volunteering
Naramata Centre Ambassadors
Thanks to all who have offered to keep their congregations up to date on what is happening at the Centre. If you would like share Centre  news with your church, please email:
Donate

Want to support the ongoing work of the Naramata Centre Society? Donations are always appreciated, and donors will receive a tax receipt in February. 

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Keep In Touch
Membership
Membership in the Naramata Centre Society is a way to show your support, stay informed, and have voting privileges at the Society's 2017 annual meeting. If you have not already done so, sign up today to keep your membership current.
Stay informed about Naramata Centre
Check out our website for updates, photos and news.

Read our blog to stay up-to-date on Centre news.
 
Follow us on Facebook. Even 
better: like our posts, comment and share them on your timeline. This tells Facebook you are interested and want to continue to see our posts! 
 
Stay tuned for Twitter!
 
Missed a newsletter? Read past editions here.

The Naramata Centre Society | [email protected] | naramatacentresociety.org
PO Box 68  Naramata, V0H 1N0
250-496-5751