Ecumenism in Canada / Oecuménisme au Canada

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• Out of the Silence: Truth to Voice
• Facing the Questions: Restorative Justice Week 2007
• What's in a name? The fate of sociology in theology
• The Global Christian Forum, an historic achievement
• New Multi-Faith Saskatchewan holding AGM
• Landmines after the Mine Ban Treaty: What now?
• Phoebe Palmer & the Quest for Holiness
• No other name? Can only Christians be saved?
• Women in Ministry: Naming, Claiming and Celebrating

Out of the Silence: Truth to Voice

image of a lit candle and a red rose A memorial service to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28th at 11:40 a.m. at St. Andrew’s College Chapel (1121 College Drive). This event is co-sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan Campus Ministry and the Saskatoon Peace Coalition. For more information, contact Gertrude at 966-8929.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : women, prayer, nonviolence, saskatoon,
Posted: November 28, 2007 Transmis : 28 novembre 2007

Facing the Questions: Restorative Justice Week 2007

"How can we, aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, walk together to heal our communities by addressing racism, poverty, and crime?" The 2007 Restorative Justice conference will gather to consider this question on November 14 at St. Mary's RC Hall, 211 Avenue O. South in Saskatoon. The workshop runs from 1:20 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.

This workshop, hosted by the "Interchurch Restorative Justice Group", will start by hearing reflections on the focus question from representatives of First Nations, Metis, and non-aboriginal communities. Reflections will continue in sharing circles. Following supper, reports will be heard from several groups actively trying to solve the problems under consideration. Speakers during the day will include:

Harry Lafond, former chief of the Muskeg Cree First Nation and member of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner;
Lynn Larosse from Metis Family and Community Justice Services, Inc.; and
Owen Fortosky, former Saskatoon City Councillor and principal of St. Mary's Community School.

To register for the conference, please contact the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism at 653-1633 or email . Please register before November 7th. Registrations pre-paid by November 7th are $15; after November 7 and at the door $17; unwaged persons $7; students no charge. Supper will be provided by Guadalupe First Nations Parish.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : restorative justice, workshop, events, saskatoon,
Posted: November 14, 2007 Transmis : 14 novembre 2007

What's in a name? The fate of sociology in theology

Dr. Kieran Flanagan will present the annual Keenan Lecture at St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon on the theme What's in a name? The fate of sociology in theology. The lecture takes place on Wednesday November 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Father O'Donnell Auditorium (room 140) at STM. There will be a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend.

Dr. Kieran Flanagan is a Reader in Sociology at the University of Bristol, England. His publications include Sociology and Liturgy: Re-presentation of the Holy (1991) The Enchantment of Sociology: a Study of Theology and Culture (1996), Virtue Ethics and Sociology: Issues of Modernity and Religion (with Peter C.Jupp, 2000), Seen and Unseen: Visual Culture, Sociology, and Theology (2004), and Sociology In Theology: Reflexivity and Belief (2007). He is also co-editor (with Peter C.Jupp) of Postmodernity, Sociology and Religion (1996) and A Sociology of Spirituality (Autumn 2007).

Technorati tags: Mots clés : stm, saskatoon, events,
Posted: November 14, 2007 Transmis : 14 novembre 2007

The Global Christian Forum, an historic achievement
by par Nicholas Jesson

Signed articles do not necessarily represent the opinions of "Ecumenism in Canada" or the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.

Les articles signés ne représentent pas nécessairement les avis de "Oecuménisme au Canada" ou le Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.

When I teach my students about the ecumenical movement, I tell them that the establishment of the World Council of Churches in 1948 is an historic achievement. It is historic because the WCC is the principal instrument of the ecumenical movement in the 20th century. It is historic because it sets a benchmark in church history for the commitment of the churches to walk together. It is an achievement of unparalleled importance because it brought together the historic churches of the Reformation together with the Eastern churches in a commitment to seek visible unity and common witness. However, even in 1948 there was an awareness that there were essential voices missing from the ecumenical table.

In 1961, at the WCC's New Delhi assembly, additional voices from the Eastern churches were added, and the Roman Catholic Church sent official observers for the first time. Still the table had empty seats. In the years since New Delhi there has been a growth in WCC membership from formally colonial churches, from Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, and from the African Independent churches. However, for numerous reasons there were many churches who could not join the conversation. For some, the ecumenical process was flawed in its goals and its methods. For others, participation in the process would conflict with their own ecclesial identity, or in some cases, their non-ecclesial identity.

The WCC has participated in other global ecumenical processes. In 1968, the Joint Working Group between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church was established to provide for the active participation of Catholics in the WCC-led ecumenical movement, while permitting the Catholic Church to remain outside the formal membership of the WCC. The regular meetings of the Christian World Communions has allowed the WCC to gather with international agencies representing the major Christian traditions.

In recent years there have been numerous changes to the WCC and its process. The Special Commission on Orthodox Participation assisted the WCC to move towards a consensus-based decision making process. The restructuring of the WCC has allowed churches to participate directly in those programmes that correspond to their own ecumenical vision, and to abstain from other programmes as appropriate.

In the mid-90s, Konrad Raiser, then the WCC general secretary, proposed a new ecumenical structure that would be more inclusive than the WCC. The WCC would not be absorbed into the new structure, but would remain one of the participating groups. Out of this proposal has developed the Global Christian Forum. The Forum had its inaugural meeting in Limuru, Kenya from November 6 to 9. Over these days, some 240 leaders from a broad range of churches, confessions and interchurch organizations from over 70 countries agreed to carry forward what they call "the Global Christian Forum process". This new forum will be an open space for encounter and dialogue with the stated goal to "to foster mutual respect and explore and address together common challenges".

The Christian traditions represented at the Forum meeting in Limuru were: the African Instituted churches, Anglican, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical, Disciples of Christ (Churches of Christ), Holiness, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Moravian, Old Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Roman and Eastern Catholic, Salvation Army, Seventh-Day Adventist, the Society of Friends, and the United and Uniting churches.

The Forum process also involves a number of Christian organizations: regional ecumenical organizations, youth and student international movements, YMCA and YWCA, United Bible Societies, World Vision International, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the World Evangelical Alliance, the World Council of Churches, and a number of forum-type organizations.

The participants issued two documents at Limuru: the Global Christian Forum Guiding Purpose Statement and a Message from the Global Christian Forum to Brothers and Sisters in Christ Throughout the World.

When I walk into my classroom this week to introduce my students to the ecumenical movement, I will need to add a mention of the Global Christian Forum to my lecture. The WCC describes itself as the "privileged instrument" of the ecumenical movement. Though the Global Christian Forum does not seek to become such an instrument, it wishes to be an open space for encounter and dialogue. The very scope of the forum participation is historic. Only time will tell whether this new ecumenical venture will become a new benchmark in church history.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : global christian forum, ecumenism, christian unity, 2007, statements, events,
Posted: November 12, 2007 Transmis : 12 novembre 2007
More entries by Nicholas Jesson

New Multi-Faith Saskatchewan holding AGM

Multi-Faith Saskatchewan will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 10th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Craik, Saskatchewan. The meeting will be held at Solar Restaurant at the Eco-Centre. The AGM guest speaker will be Mr. Paul Hanley. He will speak on the theme of "Faith and Sustainability." For further information, please contact Jean Parker, secretary at 306-522-1514 or .

Multi-Faith Saskatchewan is a new multi-faith organization formed in 2006 that is provincial in scope. It is open to provincial and regional single faith groups or faith related organizations and to individuals provided they subscribe to the objectives of Multi-Faith Saskatchewan.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : multifaith, interreligious, events, saskatchewan,
Posted: November 10, 2007 Transmis : 10 novembre 2007

Landmines after the Mine Ban Treaty: What now?

A video and presentation by Professor R. L. Kushwaha from the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering is scheduled for Thursday, November 8th, from 7 to 9 pm in the St. Thomas More College Auditorium.

The international treaty banning anti-personnel mines was signed with great acclaim in 1997 and Canada's leadership role in this initiative was a source of national pride to many. In 1999, Dr. Lal Kushwaha received his first grant from the Department of National Defence to develop efficient, cost effective devices for clearing landmines. Dr. Kushwaha will talk about the landmine problem, the work of U of S Landmine Research Group (Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering Dept.), and recent developments. There will be an opportunity to talk with Professor Kushwaha afterwards over refreshments.

This presentation is sponsored by the University Chaplains and the Saskatoon Peace Coalition.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : peace, events, saskatoon peace coalition,
Posted: November 8, 2007 Transmis : 8 novembre 2007

Phoebe Palmer & the Quest for Holiness

"A Perfect Model of Modesty and Confidence": Phoebe Palmer and the Quest for Holiness" is the title of the first presentation in the "Friends of Sophia" fall program. Presented by Dr. Sandra Beardsall, professor of church history at St. Andrew's College, this evening presentation will introduce the fascinating 19th century evangelist Phoebe Palmer, and discuss her writings on the quest for holiness.

When: Tuesday, November 6, 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Andrew's College lounge
Parking: please use the circle by the main doors, not the north parking lot.

The Friends of Sophia is an interdenominational group of women, based at the University of Saskatchewan, dedicated to nurturing Christian feminist spirituality through educational opportunities, shared experience, and liturgical celebration. For further information: www.usask.ca/uscm/friendsofsophia.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : friends of sophia, saskatoon, women, events,
Posted: November 6, 2007 Transmis : 6 novembre 2007

No other name? Can only Christians be saved?

The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism will present another workshop for lay leaders in local congregations on Saturday, November 3 from 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. The subject "No other name? Can only Christians be saved?" will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Jan Bigland-Pritchard at St. Timothy's Anglican Church (2 blocks south of Taylor on Lansdowne) in Saskatoon.

Lay leaders and ecumenical contacts will be led by Jan through a consideration of the spectrum of views among Christians about the eternal destiny on non-Christians. John Sanders' book of the same title will be used as a resource.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : ecumenism, ecumenical centers, workshop, study, resources, salvation, non-christians,
Posted: November 3, 2007 Transmis : 3 novembre 2007

Women in Ministry: Naming, Claiming and Celebrating

Women in ministry, both lay and ordained, are invited to a retreat at Queen's House in Saskatoon, November 18-19, 2007. "Women in Ministry: Naming, Claiming and Celebrating" will be an ecumenical gathering of women in ministry to share and celebrate our journeys of faith and of call, to learn from one another, to become friends and to support each other. Ministry commitments and responsibilities can have a way of insulating us from one another if we are not intentional about making connections and encounters happen. The team of facilitators includes two Roman Catholic women in pastoral ministry, a recently retired Lutheran pastor, and a Presbyterian minister. Please see the brochure for more information and the registration form.

Technorati tags: Mots clés : women, ministry, events, saskatoon,
Posted: November 1, 2007 Transmis : 1 novembre 2007