Emptying wallets while emptying minds: Edmonton's Urban Sanctuary continues to fleece the flock in 2013

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. II Peter 1:3 (NIV)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. II Peter 2:1-3

For background information on Urban Sanctuary, please see this post from August 4, 2012.

After charging $325 for a four-days of instruction in spiritual formation in 2012, Urban Sanctuary has a number of ripoffs events scheduled for 2013--all at considerable prices (bold added by blogger):

Our Stories: Telling and Listening

Friday, February 1 through Saturday, February, 2, 2013.

Our Stories: Telling and Listening will be a time of learning how to listen and respond deeply, reflectively, and from the heart; a time of discovering new ways to attend to each other's soul.

This retreat runs from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on Friday and runs from 9 AM to 8 PM on Saturday.

When February 1st, 2013 6:00 PM through February 2nd, 2013 8:00 PM

Location Urban Sanctuary 11525 - 23 Ave Edmonton, T6J 4T3 Canada

Event Fee(s) Event Fee $ 125.00

Healthy Soul 2013 - Encountering God in the Ordinary

God has spoken to the people of God throughout the centuries, primarily through the every day events of their lives. The challenge has been to discern the voice of God and to decipher the message which God was conveying. God continues to make known his desires for us; both through the Word of God and in the everyday events of our lives. The challenge and invitation remains: to listen.

At "Encountering God in the Ordinary" Healthy Soul 2013, Dr. Joyce Peasegood will be encouraging us to develop an awareness of God's fingerprint in everyday life, and to mature in our ability to discern the voice of God within our daily experiences.

Healthy Soul 2013 is being held this coming March 8-9 at River West Christian Church (see below for map).

Dr. Joyce Peasgood is a spiritual director, lecturer, retreat director, and the founding director of Anam Chara Centre for Christian Formation located in Calgary. She has completed a Masters at Regent College, majoring in spiritual theology, and a DTh in Christian Spirituality from UNISA. Joyce is ordained with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada. Currently, she directs and teaches the Soul Care spiritual direction program under the ministry of the Anam Chara Centre. The Anam Chara Centre was formed in the beginning of 2012, as a ministry of spiritual formation and transformation.

Joyce, and her husband, Ed, have 3 grown children and enjoy being grandparents to four grandkids.

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Healthy Soul 2013 - Details

Conference Fees (Register by February 15, 2013 and save $10 on the Regular Registration)
• Regular Registration $75 ($65 before Feb 15, 2013)
• Student Registration $50
• Groups of 7+ $60 per person Call (780) 477-5731 to register a group

Healthy Soul 2013 - Schedule
• Friday ◦ 6:30 pm - Registration Opens
◦ 7:30 - 9 pm - "Ordinary Moments in Scripture" with Dr. Joyce Peasgood

• Saturday ◦ 9 am - "Encountering God in the Everyday" with Dr. Joyce Peasgood
◦ 10:30 am - Breakout session #1 (options: 1.Getting ready for Missionary Service, 2. If Only I Could, or 3. Spirituality on the Run)
◦ 11:30 am - Lunch (Included in Registration)
◦ 1 pm - Breakout session #2 (options: 1.Getting ready for Missionary Service, 2. If Only I Could, or 3. Spirituality on the Run)
◦ 2:15 pm - "Transformational Moments" With Dr. Joyce Peasgood
◦ 3:30 pm - Conference ends

When March 8th, 2013 7:00 PM through March 9th, 2013 3:30 PM

Location River West Christian Church 19815 - 45 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6M 2N4 Canada

Conference Fee(s) Regular Admission $ 65.00
Student Admission $ 50.00

Creating a Prayer Retreat

There is a growing awareness among Christians that in our fast-paced and competitive society, people have an increased need for rejuvenation, rest, and attention to the inner person

Urban Sanctuary offers a place of retreat and refreshment in the midst of the duties of life. Come and be refreshed through prayer, attentiveness to God, and the Word, and be equipped with spiritual practices to sustain you in your everyday life.

Creating a Prayer Retreat includes:
• Teaching on types of prayer
• Learning to recognize ways of encountering God
• Identifying key elements of a prayer retreat
• Developing themes and flow in a prayer retreat

This course is designed to teach you to develop your own personal prayer retreats or lead groups in weekend prayer retreats.

The retreat will be on Wednesday and Thursday evening from 6 - 10 pm.
• $80/person

Go to Event Information and registration

When April 10th, 2013 6:00 PM through April 11th, 2013 10:00 PM

Location Urban Sanctuary 11523 - 23 Ave 6724 - 86 Street Edmonton, AB T6J 4T3 Canada

Residential Prayer Retreat

There is a growing awareness among Christians that in our fast-paced and competitive society people have an increased need for rejuvenation, rest, and attention to the inner person

Urban Sanctuary offers a place of retreat and refreshment in the midst of the duties of life. Come and be refreshed through prayer, attentiveness to God and the Word, and be equipped with spiritual practices to sustain you in your everyday life

Prayer retreat includes::
• Practice & experience various kinds of prayer
• Enjoy communal worship and solitude time

This retreat will be a residential retreat from Friday 7 pm January 4 - Sunday, 5 pm, January 6.

$200 for a single accommodation
$300 for a double accommodation

When April 12th, 2013 7:00 PM through April 14th, 2013 5:00 PM

Location Providence Renewal Centre 3005 - 119th ST NW Edmonton, AB T6J 5R5 Canada

Art, Vocabulary of the Soul 2013

Throughout Christian history the arts have been central to Christian worship. They are an avenue in which many find a close connection to God. In this Friday and Saturday workshop we will explore the connection between art and faith. This is a hands on workshop that will include both teaching and our own creating, and in our creations we will have the opportunity to both give and receive. This workshop is for artists, would be artists, and for those who are curious about art and faith. Students will be encouraged to create in the art of their choice -- painting, writing, sculpture, etc., and instruction and supplies for water color and drawing will be provided for those who desire it.

Workshop Presenter: Artist Julie Drew. Cost $125 per person, Bring a lunch for Saturday.

Date : April 19 & 20, 2013

Schedule : Friday 7 - 9:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

When April 19th, 2013 7:00 PM through April 20th, 2013 4:00 PM

Location Urban Sanctuary 11523 - 23 Ave Edmonton, AB T6J 4T3 Canada

As with the spiritual formation workshop in 2012, not only does Urban Sanctuary charge $125 for the art workshop, but they don't even provide lunch.