the story of
feeny wood
Feeny Wood is a small acreage of Okanagan woodland and meadow, our home, and a contemplative Christian retreat. A peaceful refuge in all seasons, Feeny Wood is a place to realign priorities and make room for your soul.
At Feeny Wood you can pause in nature’s beauty and reconnect with Creator. You may choose to rest, wander, pray, write, read, sketch, and linger for a few hours, or for a full day of spiritual refreshment. The Bothy, our modern prayer hut nestled in The Wood, is available to reserve for your time of retreat. You may request Spiritual Direction when you register, or select a self-guided retreat.
Our lush courtyard shade garden with seating and fountain is a calming space on warm days. We are dreaming of a future contemplative pathway through The Wood with art installations, and a meadow labyrinth.
Hosted and facilitated group gatherings create meaningful conversations in the good company of others. A lively book talk, a movie night, a Sunday supper, or a creative workshop, are all ways you can join with others to explore what it means to answer God’s creative call.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID, adjustments are being made in how we offer our spaces and experiences. You will find new policy details on the reservations page. Thank you for your understanding as we go forward together, with wisdom and grace.
“It helped me to look at fields, or water, or flowers. In these things I found a remembrance of the Creator. I mean that they awakened and recollected me and served as a book…”
Your Hosts
LESLEY-ANNE EVANS
“I am a Belfast born published poet, amateur photographer, and mentor. My grandfather’s words “would you look at that” continue to inform my life. Feeny Wood is the realization of a longing — to live a contemplative life in which nature, spirituality, and creativity merge, and to offer opportunities for others to experience individual solitude and community connections. My husband Bob and I are grateful stewards of this woodland refuge we have called Feeny Wood — a place where wildflowers and nature’s creatures bring us the daily gift of their presence.”
Lesley-Anne is a creative instigator, and has facilitated numerous artistic and spiritual initiatives with community partners. Feeny Wood’s experiential offerings are augmented by Lesley-Anne’s attention to detail and desire to serve.
BOB EVANS
“I am a lifelong volunteer; a core value for me is giving back to the community that I am privileged to live in. I continue to advocate for the most marginalized as Board Chair for Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, a mission that feeds and houses thousands each year. In winter 2019, I led an intensive two week urban design exercise in the center of La Paz Bolivia working with and training local architects. Led by my poet wife Lesley-Anne, we are developing a place of solace, refuge and reflection that protects and honours the land. The first step was the completion of the Bothy, a prayer pavilion in the forest that will be offered to provide a short reprieve from the loud clammer of daily life. We can all use less clammer. ”
Bob’s leadership and facilitation includes a wide variety of provincial and local boards, public process workshops, design charrettes, and consulting as a registered Land Planner and Landscape Architect. Bob is a trusted companion at big table gatherings, and hands on creating designed spaces and curated experiences at Feeny Wood.
Spiritual Direction
MAUREEN MILLER
"I am a lover of black and white. My inclination is for concrete answers — to know right from wrong — and then I feel safe. In my faith journey this shows up as wanting to “arrive.” Through spiritual direction, I experience God’s tender and persistent love as a less concrete and safe spacious place of mystery rather than of knowing. Here I can hold questions of Who is God? and Who am I?. As I offer spiritual direction to another, this place of mystery is a sacred place. I offer gentle and tenacious accompaniment, inviting the other to open more fully to God’s loving Presence. Together we find God’s activity in all aspects of life."
It is a delight to collaborate with our trusted friend, Maureen Miller, to offer you spiritual direction during your time at Feeny Wood. Maureen is a partner of SoulStream where she received her training, and where she facilitates training and spiritual formation opportunities. Maureen offers contemplative experiences like retreat with Ancient Streams spiritual community.