Autumn Men’s Group Retreat: Gratitude
With Gary Paterson
November 6 - 8, 2026
Gratitude (aka “Manna from Heaven”)
It’s hard not to be instantly grateful when gathered for a retreat at Bethlehem Centre on Westwood Lake. And yet, perhaps this is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of what offering thanks means for us. How to be intentional, specific and real? To whom or what are we grateful? How do we deal with “the God stuff” in a 13.7-billion-year-old universe with two trillion galaxies? What about all the bad stuff that comes our way – how do we explain that? And does
gratitude move us into a different way of being, of acting in the world?
Lots of questions … and lots of time to explore them – with presentations by Gary Paterson; personal time for reflection (and walking around the lake); small group discussion; worship; music, fun, and some good old-fashioned Bible Study, focusing on Exodus 16 and the gift of manna. As the 14th century German mystic, Meister Eckhart, said long ago – “If the only prayer you ever offer is ‘Thank you,’ it is enough.”
Bursary support is available for those who need it. If the cost would be a barrier to your participation, please add the “optional bursary” item when you register. We ask that those who are able to pay the full fee do so, allowing this support to remain available for others in genuine need.
Additional financial assistance is also available Apply HERE. All bursaries are given confidentially.
Teacher
Gary Paterson has had a long association with Bethlehem Centre going back to 1990. He was ordained a minister in the United Church of Canada in 1977. A Progressive Christian theologically, he served his early years in a variety of congregations, including a small country church; a couple of city churches, small and big; and as a member of the BC Provincial Conference Staff, where he had a focus on Youth and Young Adult ministries; then at First United Church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, before becoming the Lead Minister at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, the big “cathedral-esque” downtown church in Vancouver.…
Learn more about Gary Paterson