Imagine Church Differently
News from CCS and the CCS community
When we launched the project for evaluation and redesign of the Centre for Christian Studies program, we wanted to use the particular expertise of new Program Staff and to respond to the emerging needs of students, churches, and society. As things have evolved over the years since the current program was introduced, there has been less and less call on it by Anglicans.
There are a number of reasons for this: Continue reading “CCS Program Redesign – the Anglican Angle”
from 5:30-7:30 pm, at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (130 Nassau St N).
An opportunity to say farewell and express our appreciation to retiring principal Maylanne Maybee. More details will be forthcoming.
from 7-9 pm. Location TBA.
A welcoming event for new principal Michelle Owens. Again, watch the CCS website in August for more details.
As principal Maylanne Maybee prepares for retirement this summer, many people are wondering about what happens next for her. Here are the basics: Continue reading “Wishing Maylanne Well”
CCS alumni Allison Halstead, recently retired from ministry in Miami, Manitoba, reflects on trusting the signs – as she walked into retirement …and along the Hadrian’s Wall path in Northern England.
Leading up to retirement, well-wishers often asked about my plans. I had no plans. There was, however, a rock in my day-timer. Continue reading “Walking the Wall Trail”
After a year and half of reviewing and redesigning, the Centre for Christian Studies is excited to be unveiling the new shape of our educational program!
We are grateful to the nearly forty volunteers who helped discern a path, especially the members of the Program Review Coordinating team. We are also grateful to the Anglican Foundation, who provided funding for the program review and redesign process. Continue reading “The New Program Is Here, The New Program Is Here!”
Last Sunday the staff of the Centre for Christian Studies hosted a refreshment time for the Winnipeg Quaker meeting following their worship service. For the past number of years the Quakers have been renting space at at Woodsworth House for their meetings, but their ranks have now grown to the point where they need to relocate. They’ll be moving down the street to a housing co-op that has a large gathering space. CCS has appreciated having the Quaker community in our building, and were glad to have the opportunity to wish them well in their move.
CCS’s other tenant, Nathanial Kaplan, who rented an office in Woodsworth House for his Reiki practice, has also moved out. Best of luck, Nathanial.
If you or someone you know is looking to rent space – either office space or meeting space – feel free to contact the CCS office.
Congratulations to Kristin Woodburke (CCS grad 2014) and Josh Ward (CCS grad 2017), who received degrees from the University of Winnipeg’s United Centre for Theological Studies this weekend. Kristin received her Bachelor of Theology and Josh received a Master of Arts in Theology (Spiritual Disciplines and Ministry Practice). Josh was also awarded the Nisbet Memorial and Winchester Prize for the second highest standing in Theology.
The CCS Awards Working Group is inviting nominations for the 2018 Companion of the Centre Award. The Companion of the Centre Award was established in 2001 by the Central Council of the Centre. Through this award, CCS honours at the Annual Service of Celebration, except for exceptional circumstances, one or more persons:
Nominations are welcome from graduates, students, friends, volunteers and staff. (Download the form: PDF / RTF ). Nominations must be received by September 30, 2017.
UPDATE: The June Learning on Purpose course in Saskatoon has been cancelled due to low registration. Sorry for any inconvenience. The August Learning on Purpose is still a go, though, and there’s still time to apply!
Learning on Purpose: Changing Leadership for a Changing World is back! This summer our two-week leadership development course will be held in Winnipeg in August. The application for the August LoP is June 1st, so apply today.
For the past year-and-a-half nearly 40 volunteers across the country have been meeting by phone or in person in small task groups to look deeply at various aspects of the Centre for Christian Studies’ educational programming. The Program Review was endorsed by CCS’s Central Council, and the process for reviewing our curriculum – in light of the current social and global context, the needs of the church, the implications of communication technology, and the desire to make our programs more accessible to potential students – was designed in large part by Ann Naylor. Over the past year, the Program Review Coordinating Team – Marcie Gibson, Linda Ervin, and Lori Stewart – have shepherded the process along. Continue reading “Program Redesign”
If you’re a regular visitor to the CCS website, you might notice things looking a little different. We were due for a spruce up, and we’ve recently done some branding work with folks at Barefoot Creative. You’ve maybe noticed our new logo and our new tagline: “Imagine Church Differently.” Continue reading “New Look for CCS”
The twenty-one diaconal ministry students from coast to coast in the spring Educational & Liturgical Ministry learning circle are wrapping up their two-and-a-half weeks of intensive learning tomorrow. They’ve been exploring things like christology, preaching, sacraments, aboriginal spiritualities, interfaith connections, and the role of the arts in ministry.
Recipients of the Companion of the Centre award are often role models for students in the diaconal ministry program of the Centre for Christian Studies. This is not necessarily a good thing.
At part of last weekend’s celebrations, students in the Educational & Liturgical Ministry learning circle sat down with new Companion of the Centre, Linda Ervin, to hear about her life of diaconal connections and convictions. Linda regaled them with tales of justice-seeking and social activism. And then she dropped the bombshell: As a CCS student in the 1970s, Linda organized a student strike. Continue reading “Final Week of CCS Learning Circle Cancelled Due to Student Strike”
The Centre for Christian Studies is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Owens as its new principal.
Michelle Owens is a United Church diaconal minister and a graduate of the Centre for Christian Studies (2007). For the past four years she has been the Personnel Minister for London Conference of The United Church of Canada. She brings keen skills in administration and policy, as well as a commitment to adult education and lifelong learning.
When Michelle came to Winnipeg for interviews last month, it was the first time she’d been back to the city since her graduation from the Centre. Having only recently returned from a pilgrimage, she came with what she calls “a spirit of discernment” – and with advice from her spiritual director: “Look for bends in the river.” Continue reading “And the New Principal Is…”
The Annual Service of Celebration is a time of worship and reflection, as well as celebration.
Ian McLean and Josh Ward, this year’s graduates from the Centre for Christian Studies, reflected on their journey toward diaconal ministry.
Continue reading “Diaconal Footprint – Reflections from the 2017 Graduates”