Svinda has generally engaged life with an attitude of “How hard can it be?” Often, it was really quite difficult, but absolutely worth the journey. This attitude encouraged her to explore different careers such as waiting on tables, shiatsu therapy, and ordained ministry. More recently, it has meant becoming a volunteer firefighter for Hastings Highlands (retired) and project manager and builder (helper) for the various builds at Rise Above Guest House, along with co-founding Rise Above Guest House and Cathedral of the Trees.

While Svinda follows a Christian path, she is also deeply interfaith believing that the main teaching of faith is about living a life of compassion, peace, mercy, loving kindness, and justice towards all, human and more-than-human alike.

She also has returned to ancient, earth-based Christian teachings, rediscovering what it seems she always knew to be true – the sacredness of all creation. She would not have been able to articulate it as a child playing for endless hours in the forest beside which she grew up, but she felt a safety and a home there, a connection particularly with the trees and the earth. Now she is able to explore this connection, this inter-web of being, more deeply.

Svinda loves to walk in the forest, hang out with the donkeys, play guitar and sing, and host gatherings, and to build community with joy, fun, creativity, and healing at its core.

Won’t you come and join us?