God’s Reconciling Grace: The PCE History Book

 — May 30, 200930 mai 2009

A history of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism (PCE), a book entitled God’s Reconciling Grace, is a story of ecumenism over 25 years.

The editorial committee consists of Vern Ratzlaff, Ursula Wigg, Carol Pek, and Colin Clay with contributions from Fr. Bernard de Margerie and a cast of thousands, says Rev. Jan Bigland-Pritchard, director of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.

“The book is filled with stories of ecumenical co-operation in Saskatchewan, focusing on the Prairie Centre, but not exclusively,” she says.

God’s Reconciling Grace ($10) will be launched at a banquet on June 4 that is part of the Summer Ecumenical Institute, a conference being held from June 2-5 at Queen’s House of Retreats.

The Summer Ecumenical Institute takes place every year somewhere in Canada; PCE hosts it every second year. This is the 19th annual event.

The keynote speaker will be Fr. Thomas Ryan, a member of the Community of St. Paul, who currently serves as director of the North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Paulist Community. He is based in Washington, D.C.

Bigland-Pritchard says his address will look at “where we’ve been, where we’re at and where we’re going in terms of ecumenism and co-operation.”

Ryan served in Montreal for many years as head of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism.

Rev. Amanda Currie, minister of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and a member of PCE board, believes the occasion of the Centre’s 25th anniversary is a good time to take stock, “not just in looking back, but in getting some grounding, as well, and in thinking about where we go from here. Maybe this Institute will be a time for vision-making for our ecumenical movement.”

The Institute begins the evening of June 2 with public worship and a reception.

Worship leaders for the Institute are Bruce and Cheryl Harding, United Church musicians who are “specialists in helping congregations find their voices and sing,” says Bigland-Pritchard. “As a bonus, Bruce is bringing his djemba drums. Over two of the lunch hours, Bruce will lead us in some drumming workshops.”

Workshops include a presentation on L’Arche; ecumenical perspectives on healing; and resources for revitalizing rural ministry. For a full program, visit the PCE website, www.ecumenism.net.

A banquet Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Western Development Museum will feature a roast-and-toast tribute to Fr. de Margerie. Entertainment will be provided by Dr. David Kaplan and the Klezmer Band.

Bigland-Pritchard, “I didn’t realize until I read the submissions for the book how many initiatives were started here. For instance, the United Church of Canada was born on the Prairies. I’ve also heard that the World Council of Churches is modelled on the Canadian Council of Churches.”

Posted: May 30, 2009 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=572
Categories: NewsIn this article: books, Canada, ecumenical centre, Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Transmis : 30 mai 2009 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=572
Catégorie : NewsDans cet article : books, Canada, ecumenical centre, Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon


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