In the New Testament book of John here is a reference to a place of healing, pool, that in English is rendered Bethesda. The Hebrew word translates as “House of Mercy.”

Just outside of Ottawa there is a retreat centre that aspires to be such a place, the Bethesda Renewal Centre. On New Year’s Eve I mentioned the group of friends who I get together with twice annually to touch base and pray together for each other. For more than two decades Bethesda has been our meeting place of choice. It truly is a place of peace where we can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

On a cloudy New Year’s Day 2016 I went out for a walk in the newly fallen snow at Bethesda. Here are some of the images.