Category: News

Bear Clan Patrol: community people working with community people

by Kimiko Karpoff It’s Friday evening. An eclectic group of people gathers at Silver Spire United Church. They are preparing to spend the next several hours together roaming the streets …

Huldah, daughter of the desert

Women in the Hebrew Scriptures Along with the core program at CCS, students are required to take 8 external courses at an accredited theological school. These include courses in both …

Of belonging and living on stolen land

By Kim McNaughton I attended the DOTAC (Diakonia of the Americas and Caribbean) 2019 Conference in Vancouver for the first two days out of six days.  Entering into my last …

Walking together – Integration Year 2019/2020

A peek at the 2019/2020 Integration Year circle, gathered in Winnipeg September 16 – 21. “In integration year, all the pieces are coming together in a supportive way that allows …

Cloud source

A reflection for CCS Sunday, November 3, 2019 When I imagine the Cloud of Witnesses, I often think of it in terms of those who went before me and are …

Farewell to Kimiko

We are sad to announce that our Communications Coordinator Kimiko Karpoff will be leaving her staff position at the Centre for Christian Studies this fall. Kimiko is a graduate of CCS, and …

Catherine Gutjahr deep in discussion with classmates

Living in a spiral world

by Kimiko Karpoff Sometimes ministry takes us to places we don’t expect. Those places can be both literal in a geographic sense and to moments or situations that are unanticipated, …

Expanding diaconal sacramental theology

by Michelle Owens When I was at the DOTAC gathering in Vancouver this week (Diakonia of the Americas and Caribbean), we celebrated communion together. With one of the Deaconesses of …

Changes to sacrament licensing for UCCan diaconal ministers

by Debra Kigar As member (and later Chair) of the Permanent Committee – Ministry and Employment Policies and Services (PC-MEPS) for the past several years, I have been intimately involved …

A response to the decision at General Synod on the Marriage Canon

Board of the Association of Anglican Deacons in Canada The ordinal states: “as deacons in the Church, you are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word …

Spirituality of Fandom update

by Tracy Robertson So far, my rudimentary research project into the Spirituality of Fandom in preparation for my Sabbatical in January has gone very well. I’ve been able to visit …

Gather and celebrate: DUCCs across the country

Regional meetings traditionally include celebrations of ministry. Five CCS graduates were commissioned this year in the United Church of Canada. Congratulations to Lynn McGrath, Marion Martin, Keith Hall, Tammy Bleue, …

Language of the land

by Karen Orlandi I spent hours trying to learn to say the name of the place where I was staying in Anishinaabemowin, the language of the people who live there. …

“In a good way”

Learning at Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centreby Kim McNaughton “In a good way” is a phrase Elder Rev. Bernice Saulteaux used during prayer and teaching at the Christology learning circle in April.  I …