The Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) is a service organization that facilitates, disseminates, and produces research about the Canadian church. A critical aspect of our mandate is to bring together data-engaged and data-interested researchers and church leaders; and, toward that end, we are hosting our first ever Symposium on Church Research this coming December 15th.

Forest fires, floods, droughts, severe storms, deforestation, pollution. Across Canada, and the world, people face the terrible impacts of ecological destruction and the climate crisis.

Specific impacts can vary widely by season and region. Some communities are more vulnerable than others. No matter how different people are impacted by environmental destruction or the climate crisis, these experiences can cause high levels of anxiety for everyone. How can we cope, body, mind and spirit? What are faithful responses to eco-anxiety?

This retreat gives men a chance to understand the nature of the problem with masculinity, to experience an alternative, and to learn some ways of improving relationships and meaning in their life.

We will do all of this as a small but temporary community. Key words: chill, not touchy feely. Come and enjoy a few drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) drinks, as we figure out how we can live meaningful lives that are in deep relationship with people.

In northern climates, the vibrant colours and cooler temperatures of Autumn are followed by closely by the “bleak midwinter,” a time of growing cold and darkness. The natural world seems to die, but under the surface, it is slowing down, turning inward, digging deep, and storing up energy for regrowth. The same can be true for us. Now is the time to tend to dig deep and to tend to our whole heart.

This retreat is an invitation to slow down, turn inward and cultivate our hearts toward the wholeness, healing and spaciousness we desire.

There is increasing attention to the fear and anxiety caused by climate change. It manifests in a variety of ways, causing both physical and emotional distress. If you feel these effects directly, or if you experience them through your grandchildren, coworkers or neighbours, we invite you into a day of helpful learning. Spend a hope-filled day with Dr. McCarroll learning about biophilia, eco-literacy and other protective practices.

Attention pastors, clergy, chaplains, spiritual care providers and anybody providing spiritual care to the dying and the bereaved. Please join us Wednesday, October 25, 9:45–3:30 p.m. at Emmanuel College for Anne Simmonds’ workshop: "Preparing for Death in the Midst of Life and in the Time of MAiD." Proudly hosted by Emmanuel College’s Centre for Religion and Its Contexts.

A continuing education event for clergy. The Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship consists of a mix of workshops, lectures, private and public preaching events, networking and fellowship, led by keynote speakers and other well-known clergy and professors of preaching from across North America.

Curious about how picture books can enrich your ministry? Join Hanna Brown Schock, curriculum writer and creator of Picture Book Theology, as she shares with us how she encourages families, teachers, and others in ministry to use secular and sacred picture books to explore meaningful ideas in scripture and in life.

We’re gathering both online and in person this year!

Alongside the digital conference experience, you’re invited to join us in-person at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The digital conference space will remain as the home base for us, but we’ve heard loud and clear that there’s something electric about attending in-person next to other wanderers. Whether you’ll be with us in Minneapolis or online, you’ll have access to view conference recordings until January 1, 2024.

Join leading thinkers, clergy and others to creatively engage with issues facing the Church in Canada.

The Annual Carr Lecture in Fall 2023 features Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew's Hall and Professor of Mission Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Dr. Lockhart will offer a lecture titled Super, Natural Vancouver – Christian witness and mission in a secular age.

The Church Can't Ignore Mental Health Any Longer

Everyone from your community members, teams, and leaders has either struggled with their mental health or has been a support to others.

Your church has the opportunity to transform your community and connect with people who are desperate to find a safe place to heal and belong.

Join the Church Mental Health Summit so you can be strengthened as a leader, equipped to support others, and able to build a culture of care at your church.

As we emerge from our homes and return to our places of worship, we’ve discovered a world that has fundamentally shifted. While some transitioned from the pew to the couch to engage and nurture their spiritual lives, others disappeared altogether. Longstanding trends of declining church membership accelerated during the pandemic and have found exhausted church staff working harder than ever to connect with their congregations. Habits changed, theology was challenged, and connections were severed, pointing to an unavoidable truth: The church we know is at a critical crossroads.

Join Joni Sancken online to explore collective trauma through lament, storytelling, and blessing as means for individuals and communities to grow in resilience.

Joni Sancken is Professor of Homiletics at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Joni will be joining VST in January, 2023 as the new Bulter Chair of Homiletics & Hermeneutics.

On Tuesday October 3, The Presbytery of East Toronto will be meeting at Knox College, Toronto. Prior to the meeting, they will join Dr. Charles Fensham and guests for a celebration of the release of his most recent publication, Mission as Penance: Essays on the Theology of Mission from a Canadian Context.

This online study explore what the bible and theology say about our work. We will learn about work in relation to creation, salvation, and God’s coming Kingdom. We will consider how this can transform our careers and workweeks. The following topics will also be explored:

• Faith in relation to modern work
  Work in the Bible and Theology

• How work can be transformed in light of God’s presence in the world

• How careers can contribute to the common good and anticipate the Kingdom of God

• How Sundays should empower the workweek

In this workshop your team will learn:
Antiracism language & the framework in building an antiracism lens
Rooting your awareness in understanding Canada’s colonial history
The impacts of Unconscious Bias , Systemic Racism & White supremacy
The first step in developing an antiracist workplace for your team

Is the faith community adequately prepared to support each other during these difficult times? Do churches and faith leaders have a plan to help those on the brink of suicide?

This conference will:

-share stories of hope and recovery

-give authentic answers of why people die of suicide

-educate you on the signs

-give insight on how to help those considering taking their own lives

Come join us at our International event at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in our first-ever conference on how to end poverty.

Humans have a spiritual side however, many institutions

frequently deny this side of them. We shall tackle humanity

holistically at this conference by acknowledging the existence

and the significance of spirituality in reversing poverty in people's

lives.