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long lost posting! an evening with brad prevedoros

Submitted on Mar. 2, 2009 by Barb Northwood, Weekend Hospitality Coordinator

I confess to not knowing Brad Prevedoros prior to his appearance at
Queenswood for our Dinner and Artist Series on February 2nd, but I do now. I also confess to not having listened to a guitar player of his caliber live before, but I have now - and I will be forever changed by the experience. Brad took me on a journey through his music. He played from different genres and from different time periods. He played music other people have written and he played music he himself wrote. In that way he took us, his audience, from the more global recognition of music into the personal stories of his life with pieces he has written for his child and for his wife. In between the different pieces, Brad told stories - the stories of how and why the music came to be. Another aspect of his performance that was so interesting is that he shared how he played his guitar. It isn't as though he has found a way and wants to keep it secret. Rather, he wants to share what he knows so others can know too. He showed different ways his fingers could evoke different sounds. Several times he said, "For those who play guitar..." and proceeded to give lessons.

The man and the music are inspirational in both practical and profound ways. There were times when I felt the music stir something deep inside me - chords that before that night haven't been touched. In the weeks since, I have listened to music on the CBC differently - more intently - especially when I hear the guitar. So, even though I am not one who plays the quitar, I too have learned from him.

Brad played in the Queenswood chapel. The chapel is the most amazing place to listen to music. I wonder how John Discastri knew to make such a room that music would resonate so beautifully in. To know how to is part of the genius of DiCastri - he left as part of his legacy this chapel where the sound of music continues to move and inspire.

Since that evening I have said to friends that I went to see Brad Prevedoros play and they are impressed. They know who is. Now, I do too. And I won't forget hearing him. If you come upon an opportunity - I recommend you do too.

happy earth day!

A print by an young local artist is now on display in the Queenswood dining room. It was commissioned by Queenswood to celebrate Earth Day 2009.   In this photograph the artist, Sara  Dent, re-interprets Leonardo Da Vinci's famous "Last Supper" painting.  Sara's "Last Supper?" helps us to consider both the ancient Christian narrative and contemporary ecological issues in a new and engaging way, motivating faith-based action for ecological  sustainability. You can view this photo on our photo page.

Sara Dent is a photographer, arts-based facilitator and permaculturist who lives on Cortes Island, BC.  She has been photo-journaling her life for the past fourteen years. "Photography for me is about my relationship with what I am capturing. I have been avoiding commercializing my process for a long time. My focus is nature. I am constantly in awe of her. Something has shifted inside of my psyche after farm school. I’m ready to show my images; I need to convey my deep passion for food and permaculture.”  Sara’s medium is still film. She shoots slide, recognizing the adverse environmental impacts of photo chemicals. If you are interested in seeing more of Sara's work, she will be our guest presenter on Sunday May 10 at Queenswood’s Evening with an Artist.  Her works will be shown on a slide projector.

the new feature wall

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Stefan Jonsson, Programs and Marketing Coordinator

And the Winners Are...

Congratulations to the winners of our 2009 photo contest!  We received over stunning 140 photos representing the grace, beauty and peace that typify our experiences at Queenswood.  The selection committee had a very hard time deciding on 16 photos.  The photos were judged without knowledge of who their photographers were.  The winning photos will be printed and mounted on our new feature wall by the end of April (in time for our open house!) for one year.  Because of the success of the photo contest, we're planning to hold the photo contest annually.

And the winners are:

There were so many outstanding photos, that we chose several honourable mentions as well.  If in the event that a winning photo cannot be reproduced (for example, because its quality is not high enough for a 12" x 12" print), a replacement photo will be chosen from the honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions:

A Mock-Up of the Feature Wall

Please note that the black frames in this image are actually twice the width that they will appear on the real feature wall.  You can click on each image to enlarge it (depending on your Internet speed, each photo may take several minutes to download).

Feature Wall
Janie Jolley
Lesley Preston
Joanie McCorrey
Janie Jolley
Joanie McCorrey
David Peterson
David Peterson
Joanne Balchin
Carol Martin
Colleen Cuggy
Purna Ma
Karen Porteous
Joanie McCorrey
Dean Helm
Joanie McCorrey
Janie Jolley

sunburst

Submitted on July 23, 2008 by a retreat participant.

There is a stained glass window in the Chapel at Queenswood that has a special place in my heart and in my prayer life.  When I sit in front of the stained glass, the light shines through and infuses me.  Here I am, God.

The colours are brilliant, dep, subtle, pure, changing, dramatic, soft, intense... To me, the deep crimson in the center represents 'the heart of God' from which all life flows.  Here I am, God.

The sheer thickness of the glass seems to have a mischievous audacity and I delight in it.  I get up and touch some pieces, exploring their individual nature of brokenness, rough edges and unique beauty.  I lean my forehead again the window, feel the coolness and feel part of.  Here I am, God.

I sit back down and gaze intently at the beauty of this marvellous stained glass work of art.  Knowing that it was created out of love and gratitude for Queenswood connects me even more deeply.  For I too have deep love and gratitude for Queenswood.  Here I am, God.

A divine thought touches me.  When we bring our jagged, broken pieces to God, we become part of a greater, beautiful wholeness.  Also, while each of us is an imperfect, broken piece, through God we are brought together in to a translucent, mysterious wholeness.

To me, this window embodies with stunning beauty the possibility and hope of transformation from brokenness to wholeness through God.

Here I am, God.

- July 23, 2008

special hours for easter weekend

Queenswood will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday (April 10 and 13th).  Queenswood will be open on Holy Saturday (April 11) for scheduled drop-in classes and on Easter Sunday (April 12) for Zen meditation only.

We wish you all a blessed Passover and Easter!

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