Turns out you CAN go home again

Jennifer Prince graduated from CCS in 2023 and is currently serving at Metropolitan United Church in London, ON. In the fall of 2025 she attended the Health, Pain, & Trauma learning circle at CCS as a Continuing Studies student. We asked her to reflect a bit on what it was like “returning to Oz” as she put it.

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I graduated from CCS in 2023. It took me six years, it was hard work, and there were several moments in time when I thought I was not going to make it. It was exciting to complete the program, but even with all of its blood, sweat, and many, many, many, tears, the completion of my studies came with some sadness. The Centre was no longer going to be a regular part of my life. People who have been part of the CCS community undoubtably understand, because they know that it is special.

I held onto hope that I could come back for continuing education, or perhaps to serve as a chaplain at a circle. I even cooked up the possibility that I could spend some con-ed by camping on the library futon for a couple of weeks and reading as many books as possible.

I audited the collaborative course on Intercultural Education for Ministry in the winter of 2025. It was fantastic, but Zoom is not the same as walking into Woodsworth House, checking on the status of the coffee, and finding a seat in the circle before morning worship.

There was one circle in particular that I had wanted to enroll in when I was in the diploma program, but the timing had never lined up for me. When I had two weeks left of con-ed time and the Spiritual Care circle about Health, Pain, and Trauma was scheduled for October, I felt like singing, “Arise, Your Light Has Come.” Winnipeg-bound I was!

One of the things that was very important to me for my learning was not to allow my alumni status to temper my approach to learning in circle; either for me or for my co-learners. Thus, when introductions came about on the first day, I refrained from mentioning which year of the program I was in or my ministry context, and I tried to keep the latter confined to context of discussion. A couple of times, I was asked, “Have you done any of the externals yet?”, to which I replied, “Yeah, a few…”, and, “Are you doing a field placement this year?”, to which I responded, “Nah, not this year.” A couple of times, someone told me, “The jig is up. I saw your picture on the wall in the hallway. Your hair might be longer, but it’s definitely you.” (I am paraphrasing here for dramatic, and hopefully comedic effect.)

I also worried that I would feel like an outsider, especially if my cover were blown. (I made sure not to mention napping after worship on Sunday afternoons; as a student that one would drive me coconuts. I ‘napped’ only every night from about midnight to 5 am, and I resented people who tempted me to covet their Sunday afternoons.)

I found simultaneously different and similar people to my cohorts from my years in the program. Staffing has changed since I began. Restaurants we gathered at for lunches or after school as students had closed and new ones had opened. The bus schedules had changed.

What remained the same, aside from the bells at Westminster United Church and the FoodFare location nearby, was the strange and beautiful way that deep caring and nurture for one another roots and grows at CCS. We tackle hard topics of discussion, we flip rocks of theological tension and urge each other to examine closely all the creepy crawlies underneath. We challenge each other, but with love and support; and a desire for good things in the present and future of each member of the circle. When we see each other’s blindspots, we don’t call each other out, we call each other in. We rejoice together; and we hold each other up when we are hurting. 

CCS is an amazing place. It was hard to leave, because I felt like I was home. The departure was familiar. I left home for Winnipeg sad to leave my kids, my partner, my cats, and my grand-dog; and my congregations. I landed in Winnipeg excited to see my friends and chosen family there. And I left Winnipeg with a longing that dissipated when I landed back in my home province.

I know one thing. I hope to have the amazing gift of going back. There are only two other circles that I did not enroll in before graduation. They are now on my list of future continuing education experiences. There are a couple that I did complete, that I might look to complete again, knowing that no two circles are the same, and that there is always something to learn, unlearn, or learn again. 

I reflect on this experience much as I did on the program itself ahead of graduation, and that is with a soul-deep sense of profound gratitude. Thanks be to God; to CCS supporters, staff, and co-learners; for such an immensely powerful and precious opportunity.