our projects/ ways to give

Lots has been happening here in Birchdale! We are excited to move forwards and we need your help!

There is enthusiasm here and a desire to grow and expand. There is a stone chapel to be built; there are infrastructure needs; there is the development of curricula for our wilderness school; there are ideas for workshops and symposia; and there is lots of energy and inspiration wanting to be grounded!

Thank you for considering becoming one of our co-creators and supporters. We are eternally grateful for the commitment and generosity of every single one of you who feels moved to give in some way. Listed below are the WAYS TO GIVE followed by some details about our CURRENT PROJECTS underway, for your consideration and prayers.

ways to GIVE

option one

If you’d like to create the most impact now, you can give a gift directly to St. John in the Wilderness by clicking the blue button below. There are lots of options on how to donate (credit card, PayPal, e-transfer and even old fashioned cheque!) and your money will go dollar for dollar towards funding the many projects we have on the go! 

donate now

option two

If you are looking for a place to rest your investment for the long run, donate to our OSPREY FOUNDATION TRUST FUND. We will only be able to use the interest that the fund generates, but over time we hope this fund will accrue and provide stability and longevity for our Sanctuary. 

Current Projects underway

The chapel

  • We have plans drawn up for an exquisite stone chapel.
  • The foundation is in place and we have started vertical work on the first of the Byzantine chapel walls.
  • We have stones lying in wait.
  • We have hired a local stone mason who is instructing us in the art of masonry.
  • Perhaps most importantly, we have willing bodies and lots of interest in helping with such a wondrous project.
Artist rendition of our future chapel. Thank you so much to Veronika McLeod of Nika Icons

HandCraft / Wilderness school

  • We have purchased a boat building kit for phase 1 of our Wilderness School.
  • There are plans to develop educational curricula.
  • There are skilled artisans and materials for iconography and basket weaving workshops.
  • We have a printing press/ calligraphy set for working hands on with letters and words . 
  • There are tools and materials for carpentry and construction, a forge and necessary tools for blacksmithing, and more!

Infrastructure needs

  • We have begun construction of landscaped gardens.  
  • We have come up with a basic plan for an extension on the house that will allow for symposia to be held on site. 
  • There are accommodation and basic hospitality needs required for our Small Mountain School.

We are currently crafting our annual campaign letter which specifies our current project’s goals and financial requirements for this year. The list grows and changes as we grow and change…to be continued!

*More pages to be added soon including a Photo Gallery and our SJITW Blog…keep coming back!

Bridging Earth and Heaven ~ through the prayers of the Theotokos