Every memory I have
of PCTC is a good one but I want to share the experience of my
first time at PCTC. I had wanted to go to PCTC for a long time.
I remembered my mom making a quilt for PCTC when I was in CGIT.
The first time I
attended an event at PCTC I walked in the door of the main
building and I was overcome with a sense of belonging combined
with anticipation. Later when I went to my assigned room, there
on the bed was the patchwork quilt with all the familiar prints
on the bed. I knew I had come home.
Laura Thomson,
Regina, former PCTC staff
My favorite memory
of PCTC is a Grandmothers gathering in the wintertime. Shortly
after everyone arrived the air was filled with huge flakes of
very wet snow. Nobody was unduly concerned as we were staying
overnight. Throughout the day of sharing, we experienced stories
of resentment, anger, love, anxiety, helplessness, and
understanding.
After a bountiful
supper and social time, Ruth announced she would drive
grandmothers up to the Manitoba dorm. That’s what started the
hilarity. Ruth packed the car with people and luggage and
proceeded up the hill – HALF-WAY! She backed down and tried
three more times and then Louise said "My car can do
it!" Amidst much laughter and teasing the women were once
again in a car going up the hill – ALL THE WAY! As the car
reached the dorm there were shouts of "Bravo!,"
"Good show!" Louise zoomed back down and loaded again,
repeating this three more times while the hills echoed with
shouts of laughter and encouragement.
Next morning was an
exchange of more laughter and teasing along with great food.
Later, as we prepared to leave we agreed that a big step had
been taken toward building bridges of understanding, respect and
friendship with our First Nations and Metis sisters, and that
PCTC was the perfect place for this to happen.
Mildred Wotherspoon,
Melville, SK
Nestled in the
beautiful Qu'Appelle hills is a most remarkable, inviting,
peaceful, spiritual, soul lifting and refreshing dwelling –
PCTC.
It is not just one
experience there that remains outstanding, but each visit holds
a treasure of memories, especially UCW days.
When you arrive you
are warmly greeted by staff and others who are seeking as you
are new ideas, understanding and fellowship, as you mix and
mingle with them. How can we say thank you adequately to those
who envisioned PCTC 50 years ago? It is truly a place of renewal
and relaxation. May PCTC continue to be such a blessing for
years to come.
Ruth Schick,
Nipawin, SK
I have happy
memories having attended 2 sessions during past years and both
were enriching experiences. Four of us from David United Church
attended the first one with Rev. Walter Farquharson – a very
inspiring session.
The last session
was on journalling, where I learned how to improve mine, which I
have kept up through the years. During that time I met a dear
lady, Irene Teece. We shared a room and ideas both in
journalling and our interest in art.
It was a special
privilege for me to be able to attend those sessions. It proved
a wonderful experience for me, having gained more knowledge, as
well as more confidence and self-esteem. The fellowship and food
was always great too! I’ve always loved the location of PCTC
in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley. Whenever Jack and I
stopped at the Centre to and fro my home town Cupar, we always
received a warm welcome.
Wishing you
God’s richest blessings for continued good training in the
future.
Donalda Whetter, Hartney, MB
While I did not
attend any of the programmes offered at PCTC I did visit there
one time about 20 years ago. I was the guest of Dorothy Fleming
(one time matron of the girls residence at Teulon). I thought it
was a very attractive facility, and you are certainly situated
in a beautiful area of Saskatchewan.
Laura Campbell,
Teulon, MB
My memories of PCTC
go back to the winter of 1963-64, when I attended the winter
course as a 17 year old farm kid, desperately lonely. I remember
waiting for the mail to come in, and sending for every freebie I
could, just so there'd be something there! I remember working
with clay under the friendly direction of David Ross, and trying
unsuccessfully to work the wheel! I remember curling in the Fort
Qu'Appelle mixed draw, and the night that a new fellow joined us
after having a fellow collapse on the ice sheet beside me. The
new fellow rushed from the waiting room where he was watching
us, and tried to give him artificial respiration. He'd had a
heart attack and died on the spot. Then the new fellow went into
an epileptic seizure (the first of many we witnessed). The young
RCMP constable called to the scene was angry because my
team-mates took the time to throw the stones from the far end up
to the home end before obeying his order to get off the ice
area.
Then there was the 5
day practice teaching event at Lakeview in Regina for the
"New Curriculum," requiring a daily drive and
navigating Victoria Street with what seemed like ruts a foot
deep! Serving at a banquet for an outside group to make a bit of
money, I was terrified I'd dump a cup of hot coffee down
somebody's neck with my shaky hands (I was a lot more
self-conscious in those days.) I remember my painful shyness
being mistaken for snootiness (learned about that at the
"Group Dynamics Lab" late in the winter.) And I
remember racing to the library to find a book on table graces
when my team had to do supper duty - we'd never said grace at
home. I also remember our principal, Milton Little, I believe
his name was, telling us late in the year that the guest leader
coming soon would give us a "proper" course on God,
the one he'd given us being not acceptable in the eyes of some!
And I remember an argument over whether we were born sinful or
pure! The book room carried copies of Barclay's commentaries and
Bishop John Robinson's controversial books.
Then there was the
time the morning worship leader didn't show and the principal
did it on the spot - I thought I could never do that! The night
we raided the girls dorm I won’t get into! (Was it the Flin
Flon CGIT visiting?) My friendships with Gary the housekeeper,
Carol the cook, and Maureen in the office, I will never forget.
Pizza after the meeting downtown, hill climbing, doing a PCTC
promo at the Saltcoats Charge with the youthful Joan and Walter
Farquharson hosting us - the list goes on and on.
Years later I spent
many days at PCTC at meetings, especially Division of Mission. I
remember highly competitive "four square" games
(recently taught my Scouts and they love it!) PCTC was the place
I met the late William Stringfellow, and with my wife got an eye
opener on the Book of Revelation. I also met former moderator
Bruce McLeod, and the man who baptised me decades before, Gordon
Toombs. Many other courses have come and gone, some very moving
and influential, rarely dull. I've been introduced to much great
music there, as well as many worship ideas, intriguing people,
etc. Quite a few tears have been shed, and much laughter has
gone into making it such a special place. I have quite a few
pictures, some of the earlier days, lots of the Nicaragua trip
two years ago, and now of the Spong event.
The recipes I cannot
share as I don't have any, but the food of course has been
consistently a highlight. There's just nothing with which to
compare it!
W. Alan Porter,
Melville, SK
My sister Jessie (Tumbull)
Woodhouse took part in one of your early winter programs. I
remember one of her letters telling me about all the painting
she had done that day. She was so tired but happy. I think a
staircase was involved. She found that experience of winter
session at P.C.T.C. to be a pivotal point in her life. I'm so
glad she had it. This month marks the 17th anniversary of her
death at a far too young age.
I knew those
staircases well myself having trod them more times than I can
count over the years. To my mind P.C.T.C. has always been on the
"cutting edge". I hope it always continues to be
there. The people I met there over the years and the sessions I
was involved in certainly helped me to grow and hang in there
when there was not a great deal of support from my surrounding
community for radicals??? such as I. Nor, I am sorry to say,
from the churches I have been involved with for the most part,
although I have had the good fortune to meet fellow travellers
(both clergy and laity) in said churches who have inspired and
sustained me too, and I hope I was able to return at least a
little of that support to them and others I have met on this
life journey.
I moved from
Manitoba this past summer to a whole new world here on Vancouver
Island. What fun in my golden years (don't be fooled - sometimes
they're not so golden where the body’s concerned) to be able
to experience a different province, climate, way of seeing the
world beyond this island. Quite different indeed. I feel
fortunate to have such an opportunity.
Nonetheless I will
always be a prairie person and give thanks that I'm firmly
rooted in prairie soil even though the roots have had to spread
a long way. I also give thanks to you folk at the Fort
Qu'Appelle Prairie Christian Training Centre and your supporters
for bringing so much of value and richness into my life.
Blessings on you
all. May 2001 be a rewarding and fun year for you and all who
enter your welcoming doors. May your welcome and love for the
life of all on this planet extend throughout this new century.
With many happy
memories and much thanks,
May Turnbull Deller,
Victoria B.C.
