Women leaders across the globe are dealing with dispossession from resources, capabilities, and a form of discursive ‘development’ which is deeply rooted in a capitalist and patriarchal order. In the current milieu – as women leaders face further marginalization, cultural exclusivity, and the Covid-19 pandemic – we offer this online discourse hinged on power, patriarchy, …
View course details “Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology”

Increasingly, the importance of community-led innovation and research is being recognized by funders and other stakeholders as important to the resiliency and sustainability of communities and community-based organizations. This perception is rooted in the growing body of evidence supporting the importance of the community’s voice at the table when creating programs and policies that have …
View course details “Research Methods for Social Impact”

Our theme for the 2022 Forum event is “Construct.” Many of the foundations on which we’ve built our youth ministries have shifted beneath our feet. In the wake (or in the midst) of uncertainty, how is God leading us to construct resilient ministries with young people? What constructs still need to die or be torn …
View course details “Construct: Forum on Youth Ministry”

This course is an opportunity to learn from the story and theological writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church of the mid-20th century in Germany. In the context of the struggle for faithfulness in the midst of the Nazi era, we will learn how Bonhoeffer’s theological commitments flowed into his spirituality and political resistance. …
View course details “Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Spirituality of Confessing Christ & Resisting Tyranny”

This course will explore the implications of the church’s relationship to residential schools for Christian theology.  We will cover the history of the schools in the Canadian context as well as the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the collection of first-person testimony. Together we will take up questions of theology …
View course details “Theology after Residential Schools”

This course will go through the gospel of Mark with a political theology perspective. Drawing from people like Ched Myers, Richard Hays, and Wink, the aim is to give students the best damn bible study they ever had. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must …
View course details “The Gospel of Mark: A Political Theological Bible Study”

We will examine the personality, history and ecclesiastical career of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and will explore two key primary texts of his reforming pontificate. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)  

Through this course we will focus on what Merton said about his public vocation as a Christian writer-monk in the face of social crisis, and how that communicative vocation continues in relation to present-day readers. This class takes place in intensive-format over 3 days – either in person at VST or via Zoom (synchronous):    

This course outlines the theoretical and pedagogical framework utilized in Fearless Dialogues community conversations to create unique spaces for unlikely partners to engage in hard, heartfelt conversations.  Particular attention will be given to the life and work of 20th and 21st century faith leaders, who equally value the epistemic quality of theory, community engagement, and …
View course details “Fearless Dialogues in Church & Community”

The Centre for Religion and Its Contexts at Emmanuel College and Shining Waters Regional Council (The United Church of Canada) are pleased to host the second “Rethinking Preaching’ Conference with this year’s theme, “Intercultural Preaching.” The challenge of intercultural preaching in the midst of social crises defined by racism, colonialism, and ecological crisis has gripped …
View course details “Intercultural Preaching: Rethinking Preaching Conference 2022”