Chaplains’ Picks, Oct 17, 2018

Thursdays – Unsettling the Word Study Group with the Student Christian Movement
Every Thursday starting Sept. 20 
6 pm, Classroom 2, Knox College 
Join us in exploring Unsettling the Word, an anthology of “biblical experiments in decolonization.” No advance reading necessary, drop in anytime! Vegan and gluten-free snacks will be provided.
Tues, Oct 23 – Grief Support Sharing Circle
5:10 – 7:30 pm, Room 418, Faculty of Social Work

Everyone grieves in their own unique way. When someone you love dies, you may feel angry, isolated, sad, guilty and lonely. The Grief Support Sharing Circle is an informal mutual support group for students who have experienced a death, as well as students experiencing anticipatory grief. Please RSVP: student.minister@utoronto.ca & laurie.coleman@utoronto.ca
Tues, Oct 23 – Religious Literacy Workshop
4:30-7:00 pm, Multi-Faith Centre

What does religious literacy mean to you? How do you navigate an increasingly diverse society? Join us for dinner as we discuss religious literacy as a tool to navigate religious, spiritual and ethical pluralism in public, professional and education settings.We’ll critically examine our own assumptions, beliefs, and worldviews in an attempt to build understanding and empathy. We’ll also explore religion and identity in the public sphere all in the context of intersectionality. Finally, we’ll look at how to engage in meaningful conversations in diverse settings. Register for free:

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/religious-literacy-workshop-tickets-50876269291

Wed, Oct 24 – Qu(e)erying Religion First Meeting
4-6 pm, Multi-Faith Centre
Are you interested in the intersections of queerness, religion and culture? Want to have space to discuss and engage deeply with all/any of the three? Then please join us for mindful conversation and light snacks in the Meeting Room of the Multi-Faith Centre.
Fri, Oct 26 -Working for Change: Exploring Meaningful Opportunities in the Social Justice Field
1-6 pm, William Doo and Wilson Hall, New College
Join us for an afternoon of networking, learning and dialogue on what it takes to work for social justice in the non-profit sector. Keynote speaker:  Syrus Marcus Ware, Activist and Artist*
The conference begins with the keynote speaker, 1pm, William Doo Auditorium. Panels in the areas of: Community Health, Migrants, Refugees & Newcomers, Food Sovereignty & Sustainability,Youth Empowerment, LGBTQ12SA+ Activism & Advocacy,Poverty Reduction & Shelter. Open to all students. Full program information, accessibility needs, and registration available at https://clnx.utoronto.ca/publicEventsController.htm?eventId=12158
Sponsors: Career Exploration & Education – Centre for Community Partnerships – New College – Faculty of Arts & Science
Tues, Oct 30 – Submissions deadline for Medication Meditations
We are looking for contributions to an anthology of theological reflections on the complicated relationships we have with medications for chronic illness, mental health conditions, or disabilities. Submissions are to be 2000-3000 words. Creative submissions encouraged: journal entries, poetry, stories. Deadline to submit: October 30, 2018. Email questions and submissions to: Amy – amy.panton@mail.utoronto.ca and Beth Anne – elizabeth.fisher@mail.utoronto.ca
Amy and Beth Anne are PhD students at TST with a passion for amplifying personal perspectives on topics that affect our daily lives.
Meditation and Mindfulness Opportunities
Various Locations

Want to relax and find your ground? Come in for weekly yoga, meditation or Tai Chi sessions on campus that are available throughout the week. No experience necessary! For more information, visit: http://studentlife.utoronto.ca/mf/yoga

What is Qu(e)erying Religion?

Wed, Sept 26- What is Qu(e)erying Religion?
4:30-6:30 pm, 2nd floor Multi-Purpose Room, Multi-Faith Centre
The Qu(e)erying Religion (QR) program is a campus initiative that fosters open spaces for U of T students who are interested in exploring the rich, sometimes troubling, and often sacred intersections of gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, religion, spiritual practice, race, and culture. Founded by the Ecumenical Chaplaincy at U of T in 2005, QR has offered at least 10 events a year and has impacted hundreds of students, often in a life-shaping way.
To find out more about the unique programming that QR offers, join us for an intimate panel discussion with current and past QR leaders and participants.This event also features a preview of QR’s “anti-Archive” – a digital space that aims to preserve QR’s history through memory. Over the course of 3 years, QR Student Intern, Alisha Stranges, interviewed 20 QR participants about their experiences attending QR events. Over this past summer, she has transformed these interviews into short audio-visual narratives, brought to life with whiteboard animation.

https://queeryingreligion.weebly.com/upcoming-events.html

Welcome back!

Feels like fall today, which means school is just around the corner. It is an exciting time of year as we look forward to welcoming new and returning students back to campus. We wish students a wonderful year, full of learning, growth, love and light.

ECUT Chaplain Announcement

The Ecumenical Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto (ECUT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Timothy Paul Kennedy as Ecumenical Chaplain.

Tim was born in Roswell, New Mexico and raised in the beautiful desert southwestern region of the United States. He received a B.A. in Religion and a B.A. in Communication Studies from McMurry University in 1999 and an M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2003. Prior to moving to Canada, Tim was ordained by the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served as University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Tim currently serves in Hamilton, Ontario as minister to a new interdenominational faith community created from the joining together in shared ministry of Pioneer Memorial United Church and St. Columba Presbyterian Church. One of Tim’s passions is working with people and he believes deeply in the intersection of spirituality and higher education. He is delighted by the opportunity to return to the stimulating environment of the university setting and looks forward to working with the existing chaplaincy team to continue the good work that is currently taking place. In his spare time, Tim enjoys traveling, hiking, running, reading, eating good food, and meeting new people.

Tim will officially begin as Ecumenical Chaplain the beginning of September 2018.

Meditation

Meditation at Noon in June!

Would you like to be more calm, confident and connected? Check-out Thursdays at noon in June at the Multi-Faith Centre to practice mindful meditation techniques that will increase your relaxation, resiliency and focus. Open to U of T students. Come for all 4 sessions, or just drop-in any time to check one out. Suitable for meditation beginners and seasoned practitioners. 12 noon Thurs June 7, 14, 21, 28, Multi-Faith Centre, Rm 207.

Facilitated by Dr. Susitna Banerjee, Health and Wellness  https://www.facebook.com/events/253204608584358/