Rural Routes Through the Holy

Event Details:

Dates: June 11 – 13, 2026

Location: Central Queens United Church, Hunter River, PEI

Registration Fee: $75 ($65 for Early Bird Registration)

Early-Bird Registration : March 18 – May 1, 2026

Regular Registration: May 2 – June 3, 2026

Worship & Reflection:

Experience worship in fresh and meaningful ways.

Through storytelling, Body Prayer, Communion, Table Church, or Evening Prayer, we’ll come together in God’s presence to rest, receive, and rekindle our faith. Time will also be set aside for personal reflection and group discussion, helping you process and integrate what you’ve experienced.

Let’s come together in God’s presence to rest, receive, and rekindle our faith.

Creative Threads: Intertwining Creativity, Spirituality and Time (with Judy Coffin)

July believes that all humans are born creative; each person has an individual thread to add to life’s tapestry… but spinning and weaving those threads together in a meaningful pattern with others can take a life time. Unfortunately, in a world that values productivity, profit and efficiency above all else, there is real pressure to conform to a mass production model rather than giving ourselves time to develop our unique and original thread.

In joyful contradiction to that threat, July will share some examples – insight and missteps from her own creative and spiritual journey so far (with a focus on traditional and modern fibre art, as well as music, dance and other art forms.) She’ll talk about flow, connection, inspiration, obstacles, courage, curiosity, wonder… and more.

Small group discussions and some playful creative exercises will encourage everyone to have some fun while exploring their own understandings and expressions of how deeply creativity, spirituality and time are intertwined.

Judy Coffin is a fibre artist, singer/songwriter and graphic designer, recently returned to her Island roots and enjoying retirement from her most recent employment as Communications staff for the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council of the United Church of Canada.

Storytelling Presentation

Julie Pellissier-Lush is a Mi’kmaw storyteller, photographer, actor, drummer, best-selling author, and the first Indigenous Poet Laureate for PEI. Through her books, songs, poetry and other creative pursuits, Julie celebrates and shares the powerful stories of the Mi’kmaq on PEI.

Amongst her many accomplishments, Julie helped script the play ‘Mi’kmaq Legends’, which has been performed countless times over the past 12 years across the Island.

At her essence, Julie is a cultural teacher and knowledge keeper. She finds inspiration from her elders, as they bravely share their stories, and from today’s courageous youth who are embracing and celebrating their rich culture. Her five children serve as her greatest inspiration and enduring reason for getting up each day to teach, sing, and create in celebration of her Mi’kmaw roots.

Shared Meals & Fellowship:

Good food, good conversation, and a shared sense of community are at the heart of Rural Routes.

Every meal is an opportunity to connect, exchange stories, and build lasting relationships with others who understand the joys and challenges of rural ministry.