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Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!

  • Writer: Derek Hinchliffe
    Derek Hinchliffe
  • Sep 8, 2022
  • 2 min read

I’m a big fan of the TV show “Last week tonight”. The host John Oliver begins each week’s episode with those three words and if you have ever seen the show, you already know his level of enthusiasm is off the charts


Welcome is a powerful word and it’s relevant right now on many levels


One is how welcome Amanda, and I are feeling in our new community. Almost everyone I pass while walking around Nanaimo looks me in the eye and say “hello” or “hi” or sometimes they just give me a smile. In my six decades I’ve lived in a dozen different communities, and I can’t remember feeling this level of belonging anywhere else.


Another reason it is so relevant is how excited we are to welcome you to our new spiritual community. Our following on social media continues to grow at a rapid pace, and we have already connected with several of you. We are so grateful for your support, and we trust that you are finding our posts uplifting and inspiring.

We are excited to begin welcoming you to some of our events. We are planning both in- person and virtual gatherings so please stay tuned.


Between moving and our ongoing studies, we knew this would be a challenging time. What we did not anticipate is that shortly after arriving in early August we would lose two close family members. My mother and my sister’s husband both made their transition in the same week. (In fact, I’m writing this blog while on a ferry to Vancouver to meet with my five sisters so we can complete the planning for Mom’s celebration of life).


My soul understands that death is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, while my heart aches every time I am reminded that I will never again be able to give my mom a hug or hear her laugh. The last time we visited with her she was so excited about the life Amanda, and I are planning together here in Nanaimo. It was a welcome reminder that I have so many things for which I am grateful.


To paraphrase John Oliver “that’s my blog for this moment, we’ll be back again soon.” And stay tuned for more news about upcoming events at CSL Nanaimo.


Oh, and you’re welcome!


Much love,

Derek

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Territorial Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that our community is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. 

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As uninvited settlers on this territory, we recognize that we have participated in and benefitted from colonial systems of oppression. We acknowledge the responsibility of the settlers on this land to actively engage in the process of decolonizing systems, structures and practices. We recognize the devastating and lasting impacts colonization has had on the culture, language, traditions, economy, and world views of Indigenous peoples.

 

As a spiritual community, we are committed to working towards reconciliation. We will listen and educate ourselves on decolonization, and we will look for opportunities to celebrate and uplift the Indigenous community and peoples of this land. We acknowledge our settler privilege and seek to more fully understand the impact it has had on the land and Indigenous peoples. 

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Centre for Spiritual Living Nanaimo Society

cslnanaimo@gmail.com   |   250-215-0748

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