Lead story
How Bethlehem Centre Was Saved
Volume 29 Issue 7, 8 & 9 | Posted: September 26, 2015
Gerry Herkel was the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the Basic Christian Community Association on Saturday August 15 in Qualicum Beach. As founding chairperson of the Friends of Bethlehem Centre, the retired hospital administrator told the story of ‘Saving Bethlehem’ over the past twelve months.
I first heard at the same meeting one year earlier how he was challenged by Bishop Emeritus Remi De Roo to see if something was possible. I knew that The Bethlehem Retreat Centre was established in the 1980s after just such a challenge issued to a group of Benedictine Sisters. As a result, a progressive Catholic retreat house with an open ecumenical approach welcomed pilgrims from every walk of life and spiritual disposition for nearly thirty years.
Gerry Herkel was the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the Basic Christian Community Association on Saturday August 15 in Qualicum Beach. As founding chairperson of the Friends of Bethlehem Centre, the retired hospital administrator told the story of ‘Saving Bethlehem’ over the past twelve months.
I first heard at the same meeting one year earlier how he was challenged by Bishop Emeritus Remi De Roo to see if something was possible. I knew that The Bethlehem Retreat Centre was established in the 1980s after just such a challenge issued to a group of Benedictine Sisters. As a result, a progressive Catholic retreat house with an open ecumenical approach welcomed pilgrims from every walk of life and spiritual disposition for nearly thirty years.
Bethlehem was the host for the final two years of the Victoria Diocesan Synod (1986-92) which produced more than four hundred progressive resolutions including the continuation of ongoing operation of a theologically forward looking retreat centre in Nanaimo. Now the time has come for fresh ownership and fresh ideas, Mr. Herkel said. The direction is toward contemporary spirituality.
Four partners came forward to work together to purchase the three million dollar property. Three individuals and families plus the Anglican Church on Vancouver Island are involved.
THE PLAN
A number of key steps had to be undertaken by the Friends Society including establishing itself as a non-profit society. A solid business plan had to be developed to convince prospective purchase partners of the viability of the centre. This plan involved hiring consultants and planning agencies such as City Spaces in Victoria.
All these costs were raised from the members of the society through a conscientious grass roots outreach into the community, including the faith communities on Vancouver Island.
Originally it was conceived that the owners would most likely come from the mainstream Christian churches and/or other faith traditions on at least a multifaith basis. In the end the centre realized a fresh direction was emerging that of spiritual but not necessarily religious, which better reflects the nature of the west coast region.
By May the deal was struck between the Benedictine Sisters and the new owners with the takeover on June 15, 2015.
Three hundred thousand dollars has been set aside for the three year start up period, during which time the current annual occupancy of 13-14 per cent is hoped to be doubled to 25-30 per cent. The overall management staff is to be maintained but marketing and program staff will be needed to develop the centre in the direction indicated.
The individual owners do not wish to be identified. They emerged from the society membership and indicate the level of dedication the centre can rely upon and has relied upon to get to the stage it has now, Mr. Herkel said.
He wished to underline the make-up of the organizing committee which included Rick Earl of Nanaimo, Bob Muir and Tony Orchard of Qualicum Beach, plus the invaluable work of Peter Daniel, Asset Manager for the Anglican Diocese with Bishop Logan McMenamie.
The Basic Christian Communities Society resolved in response to work with the Friends of Bethlehem Society in any way it can toward establishing the permanent viability of the centre. There will be a meeting of the two board of directors in the near future.
Next issue of ICN (December 2015) will feature details on the future programs, hopes and developments.