The countdown is on and I am getting very excited! In just three weeks, we’ll gather for the beginning of Thy Tender Care in Conversation—an online journey of reading, reflection, and meaningful conversation about disability, faith, and what it means to be human.
Together with A Deeper Communion and At The Bottom Of The Well, we’re looking forward to exploring John Van Sloten’s book ‘Thy Tender Care’ and discovering what might happen when we become willing to see the world through a different set of eyes.
Whether you’re joining us in for the first time or have been following along from the beginning, we’re excited to welcome you to The Well!
Our Updated Gathering Time
All sessions will meet from 1:30–3:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Here’s a post card outlining our journey together:
We’ll begin on November 14 by opening the book together and exploring its preface, Not Ready. From there, we’ll journey through conversations about seeing differently, receiving life, learning new language, wrestling with difficult questions, rediscovering wonder, and imagining a more hopeful future—with a special opportunity to gather around The Well with John Van Sloten himself in March of the New Year!
There is Room for You at the Well
This is meant to be more than a book study. It’s an invitation to come curious, listen generously, share our experiences, ask honest questions, and make room for perspectives that might challenge or deepen our own.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be an expert on disability or theology. You simply need a willingness to listen, learn, and grow together. I am in the journey as much as you are.
And we’d love your help spreading the word!
Is there a pastor, friend, family member, ministry leader, or someone in your community who might appreciate being part of this conversation? Please share the attached timeline postcard, forward this newsletter, or invite them to join us.
The more voices and experiences we welcome, the richer our conversations can become.
As we prepare to begin, we’re reminded that a well is not simply a place where we draw water. It’s a place of encounter—a place where people gather, stories are shared, and relationships begin.
We’re looking forward to meeting you there.
Three weeks to go. Come curious. And bring lots of questions. There’s a place for you at the well!
With gratitude and anticipation,
Erik Freiburger
At The Bottom Of The Well
In partnership with A Deeper Communion
Waiting & Watching Together: An Advent Reader From A Community Of Joy
New Leaf Network has got some exciting news to share! This year, for the first time, the New Leaf Advent Reader is now in print. And I am deeply honoured to be a part of the contributors!
Waiting & Watching Together: An Advent Reader from a Community of Joy gathers reflections from the past 8 years of the Advent Reader into one volume. This collection brings together reflections published between 2018 and 2025, written by pastors and poets, academics and lay people, by women and men from across Canada and across Christian traditions: a community of contributors, waiting and watching together, united in their love for Jesus and for the church.
New Leaf has added prayers for each week and original Canadian artwork, and gathered them into a beautiful volume available in both paperback and special edition hardcover.
Writers include Sylvia Keesmaat, Jodi Spargur, Fr. Joash Thomas, Nichole Forbes, Keitha Ogbogu, Pablo Kim Sun, Erik Freiburger and many more.
Pre-order now and get 20% off until October 31! Get a copy for yourself and a few more to give as gifts.
Free pickup in Saskatoon, Calgary, Winnipeg and Waterloo Region
Shipping across Canada, free on orders of 6+ copies
For more information and to grab your copy head to: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/waitingwatching
