At our Annual Service of Celebration graduates of the CCS Diploma in Diaconal Ministries reflected on Jesus’ call to “Follow me.” A full sanctuary of friends, family, and special guests at St. Mary’s Road United Church in Winnipeg honoured graduates Keith Hall, Tammy Bleue, Lynn McGrath and Marion Martin, along with the 2019 Companion of…
Judy Astley (UCC 1990) came to the Centre for Christian Studies as a spiritual seeker. She says, “Katherine Edmonstone (UCC 1986), the diaconal minister at my church in Kitchener, recognized that curiosity in me and suggested I check out CCS. I decided to study for my own interest, with no particular end in mind.” It…
On the weekend of March 24 and 25 we will be celebrating the graduation of four students from our Diploma in Diaconal Ministries program, as well as honouring the recipient of the 2019 Companion of the Centre Award, Nancy Ford. You are invited to join us for the CCS banquet on Saturday night (tickets are…
While in London I was able to visit with Karen McBride, Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order of the UK, and Ruth Richey, Vice Warden. Karen invited me to visit her and Ruth at their office in central London. The Methodist Church House occupies a large, old, brown brick office building but the diaconal order…
as we honour the 2019 Graduates and Companion of the Centre The Annual Service of Celebration weekend is one of the busiest times at CCS! Spring learning circles for Theme Year students overlap with Integrating Year learning circles. Central Council volunteers, who meet by conference call throughout the year, converge on Winnipeg for a three-day…
– A Research Project by Rev. Tracy Robertson, Diaconal Minister Spirituality? What is spirituality? I’m sure it’s different for everyone. For me, spirituality is the feeling of being connected. Fandom is sharing that connection with others who feel the same way. Connections can be through nature, relationships, faith, sports, pop culture, tractor pulling, dog showing,…
Calling all friends of CCS! Please join us for our Annual General Meeting on March 7, 2019 at 6:00pm CST. If you’re in the Winnipeg area, come by Woodsworth House at 60 Maryland. Come at 5 p.m. and you can have a slice of pizza too. (Please let us know so we have plenty of pizza.)…
One wouldn’t necessarily think that there was a parallel between the historical lives of diaconal ministers and those of artists. Yet Terrie Chedore found one, which she explores in her latest solo exhibit, Whispers in the Sand: a brief history of diaconal ministry, currently on display at Galerie du Séminaire at The United Theological College…
This March brings two opportunities to dig in to issues that profoundly affect us all. Power and Privilege From March 20-26, 2019, the Centre for Christian Studies will be offering a social justice learning circle on Power and Privilege. Anybody who wants to create positive change in the world needs to have a working understanding…
Last week the Centre for Christian Studies started something new. CCS students have been using technology for years, to access course materials, submit assignments, connect with each other and with staff. But last week the first completely online learning circles were launched. Ministry as Listening is an online version of the Centre’s in-person Ministry as…
Thanks to generous donors, CCS has a few scholarships available for our students and/or CCS graduates pursuing further education. The deadline for applications is April 1. For more information, contact info@ccsonline.ca Gertrude Rutherford Scholarship – A scholarship to further the studies of a graduate(s) of the Centre for Christian Studies, who is proceeding to a Degree…
It’s always a joy to gather with friends, to share delights of the season and sing in community. As one person who missed this year’s gathering commented, “ I love coming to Cookies and Carols because we sing the less familiar carols.” This year was no exception. In fact, as people came and went, sometimes…
If we were to glance around the table of the new Denominational Executive appointed at the 43rd General Council of the United Church of Canada, we would note, perhaps, the diversity that was there. With intention, this executive draws from people who bring different backgrounds and complexity in ethnicity, ministry in the church (paid accountability,…
In 1977, Deb Hinksman was a young theology student and candidate for ordination when she met CCS principal Marion Niven at a conference. When Marion asked Deb what she planned to do after graduation, Deb described to her a ministry of working with people (children, family, youth work), programming and education and learning. She remembers…
We are pleased to announce that the 2019 Companion of the Centre recipient will be Rev. Canon Nancy Ford.