Dave Robinson is a former CCS student and a member of the CCS Communications and Promotions Committee. He currently lives in Toronto with his spouse and daughter, working as Director of Congregational Development for the Diocese of Toronto. In Dave’s Words: “In September of 1985 I walked in the doors of the old CCS on…
Staf Reflections from January, 2012: This month, in preparation for this staff report, we took the opportunity to reflect on the presence of volunteers within the CCS community. First and foremost, we are enormously grateful for the generosity and support of the folks who serve this institution. We are convinced that our volunteers share our…
Staff reflections from November, 2011: Since last spring the staff team have taken up the challenge of reflecting on a variety of themes that affect our work in these reports to Council. In May, given the number of staff changes at CCS, we reported on our discussion about transition. CCS culture was the topic we…
Staff reflections from October, 2011: Last month’s report reflected on the theme of staff teaming. We shared our excitement about the staff team development day held on August 30. Emerging out of that time was a vision for teaming which we recently agreed to articulate as: Sharing a commitment to CCS, the staff will value…
Staff reflections from September, 2011: The big news, for staff and the institution, is the “change in guard” of the principal. In the time period between this Central Council meeting and the last, we have said goodbye to Charlotte Caron who, in a trying time, offered steady and gracious leadership as Acting Principal, and we…
Staff reflection from June, 2011: Culture refers to a group or community with whom we share common experiences. The concept of culture can indicate broad categories such as ethnicity, economics, class, race, or nation. As well, the idea of culture can be applied, at a more micro level, to organizations like CCS or even sub-groupings…
January and February are report-writing season at CCS, as the various committees get ready for the Annual Meeting. As the Ted was preparing the staff report he went back to look at the monthly reports we send to Central Council. In the last year we’ve taken to, besides reporting on day-to-day tasks around the office,…
Maylanne writes: My mother has been sorting family documents and came across something among the papers of my great grandmother Margaret Black: it was a typed resolution, dated circa 1905, perhaps from a Church women’s group, which said in part: UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: that as it has been felt to be necessary to organize among friends…
All of the students in the current Integrating Year at CCS have been recommended for commissioning as diaconal ministers in the United Church of Canada. Congratulations Alice, Debbie, Ingrid, Tracy, and Vicki! The IY has its final learning circle from March 14-24, followed by CCS’s Annual Service of Celebration on March 25, 2012 at which…
The Annual Meeting of Friends of the Centre for Christian Studies will be held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 6-8 PM CST By conference call for Friends across Canada or at J. S. Woodsworth House, 60 Maryland St., Winnipeg MB for Friends in the Winnipeg area The gathering will include Worship Business: receipt of…
After much thoughtful and prayerful reflection and discussion, please note that the DATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED for the 120th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend in order to accommodate CCS’s presence at an important, national conference taking place in Toronto (on ‘our’ original dates in June)! The dates are now: Friday, October 12 to Sunday, October 14, 2012…
Development staffperson, Marc Desrosiers, and the Finance Committee are pleased with the results of the fall fundraising campaign. In Marc’s words: The results have been nothing short of a God-send and financial blessing, thanks to the generosity and kind hearts of the CCS community. Over 210 individuals, as well as 80 PAR donors, provided financial…
A profile of diaconal minister Mary Ann McFarlane. In Mary Ann’s words: “ I have been a diaconal minister for over 37 years, having been commissioned by Toronto conference on my birthday in May 1973. I had the privilege of studying in Toronto at The Centre for Christian Studies with classmates such as Marlyne Myles,…
When the song of the angel is stilled when the star in the sky is gone when the kings and princes are home when the shepherds are back with their flocks the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost to heal the broken to feed the hungry to release the prisoner to rebuild the…
It’s fall, and we’re gearing up for a new year of learning and preparation for ministry. As we enter into the new school year, we’re aware that we’re doing so with a new Principal. Not only that, but with a new-ish Development and Community Relations Coordinator. It’s time to update the staff photo. Marc wanted…