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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2018
presbyterian.ca
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MACLEAN ESTATE COMMITTEE
Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre
By David Phillips, Maclean Estate Committee Convenor
“A Place Apart to Come Together” is a statement that tells the story of Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre in a few words.
The Maclean Estate Committee (MEC), along with the Managing Director and staff, administers this 250-acre-proper ty’s buildings and programs. The MEC develops and administers policies for the facility so that the Managing Director and staff can work in an environment that is safe, progressive and Chris-
tian-based.
The committee is made up of
12 people with an equal number of clergy and laity, and females and males, who work with the Manag- ing Director. The committee’s goal is to ensure that Crieff Hills is always moving forward and lives out its mis- sion and vision. We work to live up to an aspiration in Colonel Maclean’s will, which stated that this property, when it is transferred to the church, will act as a model and example to other communities.
Our vision is for Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre to provide an eco-friendly place set apart for spiritual renewal and leadership de- velopment. This Christian community welcomes individuals, families, con- gregations, businesses, schools and agencies to enjoy God’s creation. This vision manifests itself in many ways but an important aspect is to be hospitable and to treat everyone who visits the site as an equal. The MEC and staff believe in diversity and the acceptance of people from all backgrounds, and our doors and properties are open to all who wish to use our facilities.
Living out our vision statement is
important and this is accomplished by serving churches, non-profit or- ganizations and community groups, as well as small and medium-size business, and offering meeting rooms, facilities and accommoda- tions for residential or day visits. At Crieff we are always open to groups or individuals coming for an hour, a day or a week for individual retreat and study or for group activities. Throughout the year, programs are planned and administered by the Cri- eff staff that attract participants from all ages and walks of life.
As we move forward this year, we thank the excellent work by our Managing Director, Lawrence Pen- telow, who will retire at the end of June 2018 after almost 16 years of great service. It will be difficult to find a worthy replacement. But the work will continue as we seek a new Managing Director and as we look forward to two priorities. The first is to make the Conference Hall more accessible by building an extension, renovating the interior and, most importantly, installing an elevator. This project is ongoing as we con- tinue to raise funds to accomplish it.
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Secondly, because we have excellent buildings and great outdoor facilities, we want to develop the outdoors to make it even more inviting. In order to do this, washrooms will be built so that outdoor participants will have their own facilities close by.
Our location is close to three air- ports as well as a major highway, the 401. Crieff Hills is located on 250 acres of land west of Crieff, Ont., a
small village about 60 km west of To- ronto, 25 km north of Hamilton, 15 km east of Kitchener-Waterloo and 15 km south of Guelph.
We look forward to your visit, so you can enjoy our “place apart” to learn, grow and enjoy God’s creation.
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