Meeting God in the Old Testament - Hearing the Advent Voices
with Zac Klassen and Tanya Dyck Steinmann

Date: Thursday October 17, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4:00pm
Location: St. John's Anglican Church, 220 Dundas St W, Thamesford, ON N0M 2M0

Cost $95
Registration is now closed.

Join Zac Klassen and Tanya Dyck Steinmann for a transformative pastor retreat as we delve into the prophetic voices of the Old Testament, exploring their significance during Advent. Through two insightful sessions, we will hear these Advent Voices anew, examining their messages within their original contexts and considering their relevance today. Tanya will lead us in embodied spiritual practices to quiet our minds and listen for God's voice calling us. Together, we will renew our faith, nourish our souls, enjoy fellowship and equip ourselves for the sacred season of Advent, embodying the power of the prophetic voice in our own lives and ministries.

The Prophets of the Old Testament become important figures in the worshipping life of the church during the Advent season. As "Advent Voices," the Prophets speak of the coming fulfillment of God's promises of deliverance and well-being; promises the church confesses are fulfilled with the coming of God to meet us in our need in Jesus Christ. At times, however, the church's confident declaration of fulfillment with Christ's coming causes us to overlook the specific and often dire contexts of the prophetic voices and by doing so blunts the creative power of their voices to speak in new ways today. We face our own dire contexts today and likewise, we continue to await "the Day of the Lord," even as we confess the firstfruits of fulfillment in Jesus. How will hearing the Advent voices of the Prophets afresh draw us into an encounter with God personally and within the context of our churches? Over the course of two sessions, we will explore this question with reference to some of the prophetic texts included in this year's Advent lectionary readings. Together, we will aim to hear the Advent Voices afresh, so that we too can embody the power of the prophetic voice in our own contexts.

Tanya Dyck Steinmann will guide us through embodied spiritual practices aimed at quieting our restless and often anxious thoughts, allowing us to attentively listen for the gentle voice of God within us. Through prayer that engages our entire being—body and soul—we will foster a close connection with God, liberating us to live authentically as beloved children of God. These moments of presence deepen our communion with God, nourishing our souls and readying our hearts to enter the sacred season of Advent with renewed faith and anticipation. 

Our Resource Persons

Meet Zac Klassen - Zac has a twin-passion for both Pastoral Ministry and Academics. Having grown up in Manitoba, where he also pastored for 2 1/2 years, Zac came with his family to Ontario in 2013 to pursue his Masters of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. During his MTS, Zac became passionate about learning more about the Jewish context of Jesus' life as well as the history of Christian theologies of Israel. Following his MTS, he pursued his PhD at McMaster University, and successfully defended his dissertation on Christian Theologies of Israel and Judaism in 2020. Zac was called to pastor at Bloomingdale Mennonite beginning August 2021. He was formally installed as pastor on January 16th, 2022.

Meet Tanya Dyck Steinmann - Tanya brings over 25 years of pastoral ministry experience and shifted to retreat center work in 2021. She serves as a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and nature connection guide. Recently, Tanya launched Wildscape Soul, offering spiritual direction and discernment for individuals and groups. She journeys with them through internal and external landscapes, embracing courage and vulnerability while seeking God’s presence and love in all aspects of life. 

Tanya is affiliated with Spiritual Directors International, Mennonite Spiritual Directors of Eastern Canada, and Ontario Jubilee's Program Facilitation Team. She has completed Conrad Grebel’s Advanced Peacemaking Circle Training and collaborates with Five Oaks Centre, designing and leading retreats focused on rest and renewal, truth and reconciliation, and sharing circles. Tanya looks forward to exploring how her work can support the Church, with exciting opportunities ahead. 

For inquiries or to connect with Tanya, email her at wildscapesoul@gmail.com.