LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thank you for your continued support of Five Oaks Centre. We wouldn’tbe here without you.

In October 2022, I had the privilege ofco-organizing and attending a RacialHealing experience that broughttogether key leaders, members andpartners to have an intentionalcommunity experience of deepeninginto how Five Oaks will live into ourfuture as an Intercultural RetreatCentre. There were many key learningsthat help to support our strategicdirection for our programming andhosted groups, as well as continued andnew community partnerships. There wasa moment near the end of the retreatwhere as a group we offer a natural iteminto the creek as a release. I feltcompelled to role up my pants and wadeinto the cool chilled water. Iexperienced a strong connection to thewater and the land.

2022 was a year, while rebounding fromthe global pandemic, that posed otherchallenges that impacted our operations, yet despite these challengeshave ended the year within the financialframework that was set out. There weresignificant increases in hosted groupsand catering over 2020 and 2021, andincreases in our programming. OurAcorn Adventure Day Camp was close to100% sold out and our onsitepartnerships ensured that Five Oaks wasbustling during the summer months.

We are grateful for our communitypartnerships with Grand RiverBookstore, Grand River Rafting, BraveWaves, GROWE Outdoor School, RogersRanch and others that continue to helpFive Oaks find ways to share this sacredspace with the wider community.

Near the end of last year, we began todream of a program staffing partnershipwith three Regional Councils and areexcited to have a new partnership andshared staffing. This will continue to deepen and strengthen ourpartnership with the United Church ofCanada. I am also excited that anaction arising from the Strategic Planis the creation of a Partner RelationsWorking Group which will bringtogether diverse voices to impact andadvise partnerships and programsgoing forward.

In 2022, our property experiencedsome vital upgrades, including a newroof on the Main Building, anaccessible washroom off of the NewHall, and thanks to a $100,000 regionaltourism grant, a two story dining andsitting deck was built off the main building to increase and offer threeseason seating off our dining room,and offer an outdoor gathering spaceoff the Upper Room. Windowinstallments were completed in Houseon the Hill, Friendship House and inselect spaces in the main building. Alarge portion of the boardwalk,including one bridge were replaced.We continue to upgrade the spaceswith the environment and our guestsin mind.

We look forward to welcoming youback, sharing in programming,retreat, community, volunteering andall that brings you to Five Oaks.

Michael Shewburg

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thank you for your continued support of Five Oaks Centre. We wouldn’tbe here without you.

In October 2022, I had the privilege ofco-organizing and attending a RacialHealing experience that broughttogether key leaders, members andpartners to have an intentionalcommunity experience of deepeninginto how Five Oaks will live into ourfuture as an Intercultural RetreatCentre. There were many key learningsthat help to support our strategicdirection for our programming andhosted groups, as well as continued andnew community partnerships. There wasa moment near the end of the retreatwhere as a group we offer a natural iteminto the creek as a release. I feltcompelled to role up my pants and wadeinto the cool chilled water. Iexperienced a strong connection to thewater and the land.

2022 was a year, while rebounding fromthe global pandemic, that posed otherchallenges that impacted our operations, yet despite these challengeshave ended the year within the financialframework that was set out. There weresignificant increases in hosted groupsand catering over 2020 and 2021, andincreases in our programming. OurAcorn Adventure Day Camp was close to100% sold out and our onsitepartnerships ensured that Five Oaks wasbustling during the summer months.

We are grateful for our communitypartnerships with Grand RiverBookstore, Grand River Rafting, BraveWaves, GROWE Outdoor School, RogersRanch and others that continue to helpFive Oaks find ways to share this sacredspace with the wider community.

Near the end of last year, we began todream of a program staffing partnershipwith three Regional Councils and areexcited to have a new partnership andshared staffing. This will continue to deepen and strengthen ourpartnership with the United Church ofCanada. I am also excited that anaction arising from the Strategic Planis the creation of a Partner RelationsWorking Group which will bringtogether diverse voices to impact andadvise partnerships and programsgoing forward.

In 2022, our property experiencedsome vital upgrades, including a newroof on the Main Building, anaccessible washroom off of the NewHall, and thanks to a $100,000 regionaltourism grant, a two story dining andsitting deck was built off the main building to increase and offer threeseason seating off our dining room,and offer an outdoor gathering spaceoff the Upper Room. Windowinstallments were completed in Houseon the Hill, Friendship House and inselect spaces in the main building. Alarge portion of the boardwalk,including one bridge were replaced.We continue to upgrade the spaceswith the environment and our guestsin mind.

We look forward to welcoming youback, sharing in programming,retreat, community, volunteering andall that brings you to Five Oaks.

Michael Shewburg

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

We have been so grateful to co-chair the Five Oaks Board of Directors over the last year. We have been learning how to share the work of this position, the work of governance, the work of caring for our staff, the work of listening to members, the work of facilitating board meetings and committee participation. We have had the privilege of learning about the challenges our beloved Five Oaks has faced through the pandemic, through labour shortages, through shifts in people’s comfort levels and attendance at in-person gatherings and retreats and the challenge we all face – What’s Next.

This question prompts us to remember just how far we have come, not just through the pandemic, but back to 2017 when the future of this sacred meeting place was in question. The question of What’s Next has been on the mind of all of us, a question that is paralleled daily in the going on of the world. We know that places like Five Oaks are needed now more than ever. We need places of rest and renewal. We need places that challenge our learning, our bias, our way of being in the world.

We need places like Five Oaks that have bold vision and strategy, that wrestle with the tough questions of the day. We are grateful that you keep coming back, with the question of what’s next on your heart and soul.

We are grateful for our staff, who daily ensure that radical welcome and exemplary leadership are offered, above and beyond, in order that our Five Oaks continues. We are grateful to our Board of Directors that give immeasurable time and resources, skills and knowledge to ensure that programs and gathering on this land are possible. Lastly, we are grateful to all our supporters, your commitment is deep – your financial support, your time gift as volunteers and your deep belief in the vision of this place.

We are grateful to serve in this way, to walk on this pathway towards What’s Next!

Sincerely,

Ruth Noble and Maya Landell

BOARD CO-CHAIRS

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

We have been so grateful to co-chair the Five Oaks Board of Directors over the last year. We have been learning how to share the work of this position, the work of governance, the work of caring for our staff, the work of listening to members, the work of facilitating board meetings and committee participation. We have had the privilege of learning about the challenges our beloved Five Oaks has faced through the pandemic, through labour shortages, through shifts in people’s comfort levels and attendance at in-person gatherings and retreats and the challenge we all face – What’s Next.

This question prompts us to remember just how far we have come, not just through the pandemic, but back to 2017 when the future of this sacred meeting place was in question. The question of What’s Next has been on the mind of all of us, a question that is paralleled daily in the going on of the world. We know that places like Five Oaks are needed now more than ever. We need places of rest and renewal. We need places that challenge our learning, our bias, our way of being in the world.

We need places like Five Oaks that have bold vision and strategy, that wrestle with the tough questions of the day. We are grateful that you keep coming back, with the question of what’s next on your heart and soul.

We are grateful for our staff, who daily ensure that radical welcome and exemplary leadership are offered, above and beyond, in order that our Five Oaks continues. We are grateful to our Board of Directors that give immeasurable time and resources, skills and knowledge to ensure that programs and gathering on this land are possible. Lastly, we are grateful to all our supporters, your commitment is deep – your financial support, your time gift as volunteers and your deep belief in the vision of this place.

We are grateful to serve in this way, to walk on this pathway towards What’s Next!

Sincerely,

Ruth Noble and Maya Landell

BOARD CO-CHAIRS

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022, Five Oaks offered 42 programming opportunities that are aligning with the goals of our strategic plan in the areas of: Rest and Renewal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Antiracism and other retreat options.

This year, children ages 5-12 participated in daily fun activities such as games, crafts, swimming, rafting, creek studies, nature science, campfires, hikes, and more. Our Acorn Adventure Day Camp sold out almost every available spot this summer, with 456 children attending our various offerings of Acorn Adventure Camp in 2022.

We continued our partnerships this past summer. Brave Waves offered swim instruction from June to August in the Five Oaks pool, with 9,910 lessons offered in the pool this summer. Grant River Rafting, one of our long-term partners, continued offering their shorter tube run on the river that saw 10,402 people using Five Oaks as an access point.

This fall we completed the addition of a two story deck behind the Main Building. The capital addition allows for 60 extra seats for three seaons and a beautiful second story gathering area off the Upper Room. This additional space will help Five Oaks with dining and meeting opportunities going forward.

Five Oaks continued our important work in supporting Migrant Workers who contribute to Ontario’s agricultural sector. We housed 81 men over 85 days for long-term care, as they commuted daily to a local farm.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022, Five Oaks offered 42 programming opportunities that are aligning with the goals of our strategic plan in the areas of: Rest and Renewal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Antiracism and other retreat options.

This year, children ages 5-12 participated in daily fun activities such as games, crafts, swimming, rafting, creek studies, nature science, campfires, hikes, and more. Our Acorn Adventure Day Camp sold out almost every available spot this summer, with 456 children attending our various offerings of Acorn Adventure Camp in 2022.

We continued our partnerships this past summer. Brave Waves offered swim instruction from June to August in the Five Oaks pool, with 9,910 lessons offered in the pool this summer. Grant River Rafting, one of our long-term partners, continued offering their shorter tube run on the river that saw 10,402 people using Five Oaks as an access point.

This fall we completed the addition of a two story deck behind the Main Building. The capital addition allows for 60 extra seats for three seaons and a beautiful second story gathering area off the Upper Room. This additional space will help Five Oaks with dining and meeting opportunities going forward.

Five Oaks continued our important work in supporting Migrant Workers who contribute to Ontario’s agricultural sector. We housed 81 men over 85 days for long-term care, as they commuted daily to a local farm.

Program Highlights and Growth

Program Highlights and Growth

A few words from our Settler Program Director, Tanya Dyck Steinmann…

At the beginning of 2022, when the province was under lockdown and Public Health mandates, we offered three online programs: Journaling for Personal Growth with Peggy Guiler, Sister Water and the Sultan Len Desroches, and Step into Stories with Gail Fricker. In April, we celebrated our first in-person program with Heather Beamish who spent the week on-site, as Five Oaks’ first Artist in Residence. On the weekend of September 30 (Orange Shirt Day), nineteen people from a variety of church traditions gathered around the Sacred Fire Pit at Five Oaks, to learn and reflect on the church’s role in colonialism and residential schools. Registration for the next Seeking Transformation Retreat will be opening soon.

Numerous smaller programs were successfully offered this year, and a large area of focus was the development of a nature-based diversity school group program at Five Oaks, that started with the creation of a new curriculum, Diversity in the Land and Each Other, written by Forest Educator Rebecca Seiling and Indigenous Consultant, Jan Sherman. As this program was being developed, North Ward School approached us to help them take their classrooms outdoors. It was wonderful to see the awe and sheer delight of 100 kindergarteners, 120 Grade 1-3 students and over 70 Grade 4-8 students each connecting to the land while applying math, science, social skills and so much more.

We ended the year with a community Winter Solstice fire circle. Knowledge Carriers, Suzie Miller and Ellie Jospeh joined us to share wisdom and stories. Participants enjoyed a hot chili meal around the campfire, making mason jar lanterns, ending the evening with a lantern walk, welcoming light and setting intentions for the new year.

The Five Oaks Program Team is so grateful for an impactful year of visioning, relationship building and connection.

A few words from our Settler Program Director, Tanya Dyck Steinmann…

At the beginning of 2022, when the province was under lockdown and Public Health mandates, we offered three online programs: Journaling for Personal Growth with Peggy Guiler, Sister Water and the Sultan Len Desroches, and Step into Stories with Gail Fricker. In April, we celebrated our first in-person program with Heather Beamish who spent the week on-site, as Five Oaks’ first Artist in Residence. On the weekend of September 30 (Orange Shirt Day), nineteen people from a variety of church traditions gathered around the Sacred Fire Pit at Five Oaks, to learn and reflect on the church’s role in colonialism and residential schools. Registration for the next Seeking Transformation Retreat will be opening soon.

Numerous smaller programs were successfully offered this year, and a large area of focus was the development of a nature-based diversity school group program at Five Oaks, that started with the creation of a new curriculum, Diversity in the Land and Each Other, written by Forest Educator Rebecca Seiling and Indigenous Consultant, Jan Sherman. As this program was being developed, North Ward School approached us to help them take their classrooms outdoors. It was wonderful to see the awe and sheer delight of 100 kindergarteners, 120 Grade 1-3 students and over 70 Grade 4-8 students each connecting to the land while applying math, science, social skills and so much more.

We ended the year with a community Winter Solstice fire circle. Knowledge Carriers, Suzie Miller and Ellie Jospeh joined us to share wisdom and stories. Participants enjoyed a hot chili meal around the campfire, making mason jar lanterns, ending the evening with a lantern walk, welcoming light and setting intentions for the new year.

The Five Oaks Program Team is so grateful for an impactful year of visioning, relationship building and connection.

$91,500 additional investments were made in 2022

OPERATING EXPENSES

2022 CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

$343,000

$91,500 additional investments were made in 2022

STRATEGIC PLAN

At a Glance

Mission

To offer renewing and transformative individual, group, and community experiences through meaningful reflection, deep connections, and joyful expression.

Vision

To cultivate an affirming, vibrant, and inclusive community where people of all backgrounds and traditions can gather on the land to live, work, learn, pray, play, heal, and act for justice.

Mission

To offer renewing and transformative individual, group, and community experiences through meaningful reflection, deep connections, and joyful expression.

We invite you to support Five Oaks’ vision and mission in the way easiest for you.

To donate by phone: 519.442.3212 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4:30pm, VISA or Mastercard)

To donate by E-Transfer: finance@fiveoaks.on.ca

We invite you to support Five Oaks’ vision and mission in the way easiest for you.

To donate by phone: 519.442.3212 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4:30pm, VISA or Mastercard)

To donate by E-Transfer: finance@fiveoaks.on.ca

Thank You

Your generosity in 2022 made the difference and ensured that Five Oaks continues to be a place for the important work of embracing difference, radical hospitality, environmental stewardship, right relations and social justice. Without your gifts, your support both financial and through other means, none of what we have accomplished would be possible. Your continued gifting to Five Oaks ensures a future in 2023 and beyond.

Five Oaks is thankful to funders like you who shared financial gifts with the Centre including: The Brant Community Foundation, Erie Presbytery Mission and Development Council, The United Church of Canada, United Church Regional Councils and The United Church of Canada Foundation, KAIROS, Canada Summer Jobs, HHBRTA Federal Development Fund, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and many generous individual donors, dedicated United Church congregations and United Church Womens Groups.

Designations of life insurance policies, such as the generous givings of Norma Joyce Combe, planned legacy giving, transfer of stocks, purchase of faith bonds, and participation in the monthly donor program all ensure that this sacred place continues. The many ways you offer physical support, on committees and working groups, service on the property and everything else makes a difference.

Thank You

Your generosity in 2022 made the difference and ensured that Five Oaks continues to be a place for the important work of embracing difference, radical hospitality, environmental stewardship, right relations and social justice. Without your gifts, your support both financial and through other means, none of what we have accomplished would be possible. Your continued gifting to Five Oaks ensures a future in 2023 and beyond.

Five Oaks is thankful to funders like you who shared financial gifts with the Centre including: The Brant Community Foundation, Erie Presbytery Mission and Development Council, The United Church of Canada, United Church Regional Councils and The United Church of Canada Foundation, KAIROS, Canada Summer Jobs, HHBRTA Federal Development Fund, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and many generous individual donors, dedicated United Church congregations and United Church Womens Groups.

Designations of life insurance policies, such as the generous givings of Norma Joyce Combe, planned legacy giving, transfer of stocks, purchase of faith bonds, and participation in the monthly donor program all ensure that this sacred place continues. The many ways you offer physical support, on committees and working groups, service on the property and everything else makes a difference.