PRINCE ALBERT — We knew the trip was ambitious. Here we were, a group of 18 adults and a baby, canoeing for three hours down Mountain Lake on the Churchill River into a strong headwind. Conversation dwindled as we dug into that inner grit and determination that builds character.
Finally, turning out of the wind, the iconic Holy Trinity Anglican Church across from Stanley Mission came into view, stretching high into the sky, majestic-looking. Our weary yet accomplished group made our way the last few kilometres to our campsite, ate a hearty supper, prayed Evening Prayer, and turned in for the night.
This laborious day was only the second day of Camp Okema’s adult canoe camp. The following day was nearly as exciting with a sudden, short, and spirited thunderstorm, leaving us stranded at a portage, waiting for a safe passage on our way back to our campsite from Nistowiak Falls.
The voyagers pulled together, showing their strength and resilience through the challenges. But you, reader, are here for a story about renewal, and all I’ve told you is the tough parts of the trip.
Rob and Rae Granberg renewed their marriage vows at Holy Trinity Church on the final day of our trip, Aug. 12, 2025. Forty-four years before, my grandfather, Rev. Howard Green, had tag-teamed the wedding with Rev. Ray Clennett at St. Patrick’s Church in Hudson Bay and now, here was my husband, Ven. Brody Albers, renewing those same vows.
Rob and Rae had talked about renewing their vows a few times over the years, but hadn’t planned for it specifically on this trip.
“We had not thought of it at all; it was a gift from God,” Rae reflected. Rae wondered aloud if they could renew their wedding vows, and suddenly, the renewal was on!
There was no hair done, no makeup, no nice clothes, just emotion and the deeply significant meaning of renewing one’s wedding vows. The ladies picked a bouquet of wildflowers. A local caretaker rang the church bells, and I played a (shaky) rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon in D on the foot-pump organ.
“I Rob, take thee Rae; I Rae, take thee, Rob, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
These vows rang through the church, settling on our hearts. The lifelong sacrament of marriage begins with these vows; marriage is a visible sign of the relationship between Christ and His Church; renewing and remembering these vows can help us when we encounter the highs and the lows of life.
Rob and Rae have many highlights of their life together, including the joys and challenges of raising two boys, living close to the people who are important to them, the rhythm of work and life, and the blessing of eight grandchildren.
They see their life together and in the church as one and the same; “(God) is the centre of our marriage. There’s God, Rob and I, then our children. Because our marriage has been God-centred, we’re on the same page. It shapes our life.”
“The longer we’re married and the more your faith grows, the closer we are. I’m praying for stronger faith. You work on the marriage and you work on your faith. They parallel each other.”
Rob adds, “The fact is, our marriage has been very smooth. We’ve been very fortunate. The trip down the lake was a lot more challenging than our marriage was.”
The couple exited the church as we threw rice in celebration.
Throughout the canoe trip, Bishop Rick Reed led us in the daily offices and mini sermons. He challenged us to have our own spiritual renewal, calling each person to take the next step to grow his or her relationship with Christ.
Encouraging a renewal of faith is in line with the original philosophy of the Okema Society for Christian Development — formed in 1976, or 50 years ago!) — “To promote spiritual renewal among church-related people.” It is through the joys and the challenges that we find this spiritual renewal and make our own “vow renewals” to our faith.
We knew the trip would be demanding. We know the lifelong commitment of marriage is ambitious. We know a life of faithfulness to the Gospel is a high and challenging calling. We need these moments of joy and challenge to walk with Christ and reach the end saying, “We did it, together.”
