The Edge of the Inside
With Andrew Twiddy, Rob James, Pearl Gervais, Richard Sales, Joanne Sales and Holly Carnegie
August 21 - 24, 2023
How do we find the courage to stand on “the edge of the inside” of the circle? How do those experiences help us to stay grounded in compassion? On the journey to discover inner and outer freedom, many of us find that the true center isn’t really in the middle at all—it lies at the edges.
Franciscan writer Richard Rohr describes being at the “edge of the inside” as “a way of being in the world that is utterly free and grounded in the compassion of God.”
“Francis of Assisi called people to live on the edge – of the Church, of economy, of patriarchy, of the ‘system’ – through universal solidarity and chosen simplicity,” Rohr writes in Way of the Prophet.
Join us as we learn to engage with and embody a spirituality that lies at the edge.
- Exceptional presenters
- Dynamic and diverse teachings
- Embodied contemplative practices
- A spirituality that goes beyond borders
- Deepen your capacity for inner wisdom
Teachers
Andrew Twiddy
Andrew Twiddy works as an Anglican priest, teacher, writer, speaker, and musician. The contemplative and mystical traditions of the West have influenced him since his youth, and have set the tone for his leadership and versatile style in parish-based ministry in Central Vancouver Island for over 20 years. His degrees in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew led him into teaching and educational administration, and he has enjoyed animating biblical languages for seminary students and others. Andrew is an avid wordsmith and Scrabble player and represented Canada in the Commonwealth Scrabble tournament in Glasgow in 2014. He is a veteran supporter of…
Learn more about Andrew Twiddy
Andrew Twiddy works as an Anglican priest, teacher, writer, speaker, and musician. The contemplative and mystical traditions of the West have influenced him since his youth, and have set the tone for his leadership and versatile style in parish-based ministry in Central Vancouver Island for over 20 years. His degrees in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew led him into teaching and educational administration, and he has enjoyed animating biblical languages for seminary students and others. Andrew is an avid wordsmith and Scrabble player and represented Canada in the Commonwealth Scrabble tournament in Glasgow in 2014. He is a veteran supporter of…
Learn more about Andrew Twiddy
Rob James
Rob comes to VST from Wells Cathedral in Somerset, in the southwest of the UK, where he has been the Canon Chancellor since 2019. Before going to Wells, Rob was the Vicar of a three-parish benefice in the Diocese of Gloucester. He was ordained Deacon in 2005 and Priest in 2006. As well as his Church of England career he spent some time working for the UK government on security matters, whilst undertaking unpaid duties for the Church. Alongside his work for Church and State, he has usually been involved in teaching theology to undergraduates and to those training for…
Learn more about Rob James
Rob comes to VST from Wells Cathedral in Somerset, in the southwest of the UK, where he has been the Canon Chancellor since 2019. Before going to Wells, Rob was the Vicar of a three-parish benefice in the Diocese of Gloucester. He was ordained Deacon in 2005 and Priest in 2006. As well as his Church of England career he spent some time working for the UK government on security matters, whilst undertaking unpaid duties for the Church. Alongside his work for Church and State, he has usually been involved in teaching theology to undergraduates and to those training for…
Learn more about Rob James
Pearl Gervais
Pearl is a teacher, writer, and speaker, based in Nanaimo, BC, who facilitates a variety of spiritual retreats and workshops and has expertise in the Enneagram typology of human personality and in Enneagram spirituality. Pearl has travelled widely and co-operated as an associate in ministry for many years with Bishop Remi De Roo. Together with Remi and Diane Tolomeo, she is co-author of Biblical Characters And The Enneagram: Images of Transformation. Pearl sees Vatican II as an inspiration for all humanity, and a call to action for lay and ordained ministry development and leadership, in helping us embrace our calling…
Learn more about Pearl Gervais
Pearl is a teacher, writer, and speaker, based in Nanaimo, BC, who facilitates a variety of spiritual retreats and workshops and has expertise in the Enneagram typology of human personality and in Enneagram spirituality. Pearl has travelled widely and co-operated as an associate in ministry for many years with Bishop Remi De Roo. Together with Remi and Diane Tolomeo, she is co-author of Biblical Characters And The Enneagram: Images of Transformation. Pearl sees Vatican II as an inspiration for all humanity, and a call to action for lay and ordained ministry development and leadership, in helping us embrace our calling…
Learn more about Pearl Gervais
Richard Sales
Richard Sales has been a performing musician since the ’60s and a music producer since the early 80s, producing award-winning music for Universal Music (US and Canada), NPR, PBS, ESPN, Nike, The Grateful Dead, Lightning Rod Records, a multitude of holy teachers including Shree Maa, Bhagavad Das, Saadi, Shiva Rudra Bala Yogi. Richard was invited to perform at the first Woodstock. He has recorded Miles Davis and many other noted musicians at his recording studio, GlassWing Studios. Richard and Joanne are lifelong spiritual pilgrims, with in-person experience over many decades of both Western and Eastern mystical and religious traditions.
Learn more about Richard Sales
Richard Sales has been a performing musician since the ’60s and a music producer since the early 80s, producing award-winning music for Universal Music (US and Canada), NPR, PBS, ESPN, Nike, The Grateful Dead, Lightning Rod Records, a multitude of holy teachers including Shree Maa, Bhagavad Das, Saadi, Shiva Rudra Bala Yogi. Richard was invited to perform at the first Woodstock. He has recorded Miles Davis and many other noted musicians at his recording studio, GlassWing Studios. Richard and Joanne are lifelong spiritual pilgrims, with in-person experience over many decades of both Western and Eastern mystical and religious traditions.
Learn more about Richard Sales
Joanne Sales
Joanne Sales is a certified Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) dance leader and has been leading DUP gatherings on Vancouver Island almost every month since 2003, with her husband Richard providing live music as support. Joanne and Richard are also called upon to lead larger regional retreats in the Pacific Northwest. They are lifelong spiritual pilgrims, with in-person experience over many decades in both Western and Eastern mystical and religious traditions. Joanne is an award-winning columnist, and also the executive director of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society (www.broombusters.org), a successful non-profit environment group that she founded in 2006. Richard and Joanne…
Learn more about Joanne Sales
Joanne Sales is a certified Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) dance leader and has been leading DUP gatherings on Vancouver Island almost every month since 2003, with her husband Richard providing live music as support. Joanne and Richard are also called upon to lead larger regional retreats in the Pacific Northwest. They are lifelong spiritual pilgrims, with in-person experience over many decades in both Western and Eastern mystical and religious traditions. Joanne is an award-winning columnist, and also the executive director of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society (www.broombusters.org), a successful non-profit environment group that she founded in 2006. Richard and Joanne…
Learn more about Joanne Sales
Holly Carnegie
Holly Carnegie BSc. O.T. Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator brings her 30 years of experience in Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Health and Wellness into her ongoing Labyrinth Work as a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator. Holly provides support and guidance as you navigate this winding journey, putting one foot in front of the other. You will have the opportunity to learn a bit about labyrinth history, reflect on values, meaning and purpose, and acknowledge “Walking on the Edge of the Inside” and the challenges faced these past few years. We will set personal, group and global intentions as we walk the…
Learn more about Holly Carnegie
Holly Carnegie BSc. O.T. Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator brings her 30 years of experience in Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Health and Wellness into her ongoing Labyrinth Work as a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator. Holly provides support and guidance as you navigate this winding journey, putting one foot in front of the other. You will have the opportunity to learn a bit about labyrinth history, reflect on values, meaning and purpose, and acknowledge “Walking on the Edge of the Inside” and the challenges faced these past few years. We will set personal, group and global intentions as we walk the…
Learn more about Holly Carnegie