Dancing and Drumming with Diakonia
The World Federation Assembly in Tanzania was a global experience for CCS students.
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Images from Fall 2025 Integration Circle
The fall IY circle was small but powerful.
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7 Things We’ve Learned about Effective Feedback
Giving and receiving feedback can be scary. But it doesn’t need to be.
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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 me to let go of the ideas and thoughts I used to cling to desperately and rest in an incredible lightness of being. ” ~Karen…
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Circles of power, pain and singing
At the Centre for Christian Studies, we try to put life at the centre of theology. This does not mean that God is not central, only that we recognize that ministry happens out in the world. Over and over we ask, Who is God? Who are we? What is our task? And so it is…
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I am no longer surprised by whom I am learning from. . .
by David Hughes 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will…
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Follow Me: Annual Service of Celebration 2019
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…
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She recognized curiosity in me…”
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…
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Celebrate with us
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…
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Whispers in the sand: images of diaconia
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…
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“A better fit”: finding diaconal ministry
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…
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Making space for grace
It was a gorgeous fall afternoon in October. My partner and I wanted to celebrate the day, find a wonderful place to be outside. We remembered an area of woods in Winnipeg, inside the city but what seems like miles away, the Bois des Esprits. The Seine River runs through it and it’s watched over…
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A modern, old-fashioned tea party!
Tea parties are not a thing of the past at the Centre for Christian Studies. It’s always fun to gather in celebration with people who love this place. A tea was held at the Centre for Christian Studies on Friday, November 16. Approximately 30 people — friends, graduates, and volunteers — attended as guests.
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Preach it!
Each day began with a sermon. It`s customary to start the morning with worship at a CCS learning circle. Usually this involves singing a hymn or two, a prayer, maybe a scripture reading and a reflection question or activity. Seldom does morning worship include a sermon. But for last month`s theme learning circle on Worship,…
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Patrolling with the Bear Clan & other moments from fall learning circles
The traditional “back to school” time means that students have been gathering this fall at Woodsworth House to explore, challenge and be challenged, laugh and cry and wonder together.
