East Coast GS Retreat 2018 – Frequently Asked Questions

Generous Space acknowledges that people who are committed to Christ and who honour the scriptures may arrive at different interpretive conclusions and continue to journey together in unity. Generous Space is a relational posture that LGBTQ+ people and allies can embrace. Theological differences regarding same-sex relationships have often polarized the Christian community, hindered our public witness as the Body of Christ, and alienated LGBTQ+ people from church. But Generous Space demonstrates that our love for Christ and each other can transcend these differences.

Generous Space prioritizes nurturing a safe and encouraging environment to explore and grow in faith in Jesus Christ, entrusting each individual to the leading of the Holy Spirit while encouraging them to be a part of a Christ-centered community. Generous Space seeks to cultivate unity in our diversity, to pursue peace, and embody our core values of humility, hospitality, mutuality, and justice.

Many of the retreat registrants participate in Generous Space Groups in their cities, where they meet regularly with other local LGBTQ+ Christians and allies to learn from one another and encourage each other in their faith.

If you’re looking for a ride from an airport, or if you’re curious whether someone else is planning on driving from the city where you live, please get in touch with us! We’ll do our best to connect people to one another for carpool purposes. Email Beth at beth[at]generousspace.ca.

We definitely recommend trying to stay for the full weekend, because it takes time to build relationships of trust with other members of the community.  Still, we realize some people have work or family responsibilities they need to attend to.  If you can’t stay for the full weekend, contact Beth at beth[at]generousspace.ca and she may be able to quote you a reduced ticket price.  We’ll also have a reduced price for people who can only come for the day on Saturday.

Accommodations are in the campus dorms, which contain either one single bed (for single-occupancy rooms) or one single-sized bunk bed (for double-occupancy rooms). There are large washrooms with stalls down the hall. If you’re able to bring your own bedding, that would help reduce the cost for Generous Space’s use of the campus rooms. If you’re unable to bring bedding (e.g. if you’re traveling by plane), we can provide some.

Cost is $200 per person for a shared room, or $220 per person if you’d rather room on your own.

We realize these rooms won’t be ideal for everyone, especially couples, so if you’d prefer to arrange your own accommodations off-campus, your retreat fee would be reduced to $150 per person (including program and meals on campus).

Here are some links to alternate accommodations in St. Stephen:
– The Winsome Inn Motel
– Blair House Heritage Inn B&B

Our preference is for you to find your own roommate, so you can be sure you’re rooming with someone with whom you feel comfortable. However, if you’re new to our community, or if you don’t know many people who are coming, we will be keeping a list of people who need roommates, and we can suggest someone for you. Email Beth at beth@generousspace.ca.

** Please try to find a roommate who is staying the same number of nights as you – note that for any overnight you spend in a room on your own, including before your roommate arrives, you will be charged an additional $10.00 fee.**

To make the retreat particularly accessible for nursing parents, we are pleased to provide childcare for infants aged 0-3 years during the main worship sessions, workshops, and if applicable, community group sessions. For older children, we ask that you arrange off-site childcare.  Please email Beth if you’re thinking about bringing your children (beth[at]generousspace.ca).

Yes! First, know that you aren’t alone; for lots of different reasons, others who attend the retreat are in a similar place – we’ll actually set aside a time early in the weekend for you to meet together with others who are disillusioned or unsure about church/faith.  Our hope is that you would feel the safety to speak freely at the retreat about where you’re at. We ask everyone to prioritize good self-care and to participate in the retreat in ways that are life-giving, and we invite people to opt out of parts of the retreat that they find triggering or less relevant to them. To read more about how we navigate BOTH being a Christ-centered community AND being a place for those who are questioning, doubting, or critiquing faith check out our Executive Director Wendy’s recent blog post on the topic.

Yes! You will be in good company with others who understand. Some of our main sessions may include mindfulness exercises to help all of our participants practice coping skills for when we feel overwhelmed. In addition, we prioritize people making the decisions they need for good self-care at the retreat, and to participate in ways that will be life-giving, taking time for themselves when needed.

We warmly welcome straight/cisgender allies who want to be supportive and approach the retreat with a posture of listening and learning. Whether you’re a parent, friend, or pastor of LGBTQ+ people, your presence as learner can be a real encouragement to our LGBTQ+ participants. We invite you to come with an open mind, to listen deeply, and to experience what it’s like to be a sexual/gender “minority” in a predominantly LGBTQ crowd. You may recognize your privilege in ways you haven’t realized before – and while this can be uncomfortable, it can also be a tremendous learning opportunity. No one will try to convince you to think or believe a certain way, but you may hear perspectives that challenge how you’ve always thought about things. If you are ready to fully engage with mind and heart, we’d love to have you!