Housing and Homelessness: Stories, Stereotypes and Strategies for Advocacy

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Rev. Susan Eagle joins MILC for a talk on Housing and Homelessness where she will draw upon her experience in advocacy work to speak about the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness, strategies for addressing stereotyping and offer advice on doing advocacy work in the church to address the housing crisis. 

Rev. Dr. Susan Eagle currently serves with Grace United Church in Barrie. She is well known for her work with sole support parents, the working poor, persons on social assistance and newcomers to Canada. Susan was awarded the Canada 125 medal in 1993, the Queens Jubilee medal in 2013 and an honorary doctorate in divinity by Victoria University in 2011, all for her work with the vulnerable. In 2010, she was inducted into London’s Newsmakers Hall of Fame and honoured with a public tribute for her leadership in the development of the City of London’s homelessness and affordable housing policy.

There will be opportunities for questions and discussion. Please join us.

Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm via Zoom

Register

Growth? What are we thinking?

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In a world constantly striving for growth, have you ever stopped what we mean by growth? Manitou Intentional Learning Community invites you to an online conversation with Rev. Calin Lau, Tuesday, April 9th at 7 PM. Join us on an exploration of church growth, revitalization, and renewal. This session isn’t just about listening; it’s an invitation to dialogue, to question, and to discover together.

What does growth mean to you? What kind of ‘growth’ do our communities genuinely need? These questions and more will be the fuel for our discussion, guided by the insightful Rev. Calin Lau, the United Church of Canada Growth Animator for Central and Northern Ontario. Rev. Lau brings a wealth of diverse experiences and a deep passion for nurturing faith communities. From his early days as a teacher and preacher in Hong Kong to his impactful ministries and experiences in Canada, his journey is one of faith, resilience, and dedication to growth in its most holistic sense. Rev. Lau’s contributions span across various initiatives, including Racial Justice workshops, planning for emerging faith communities, and projects like the Living Presence Ministry and Hong Kong Newcomers. His approach to growth is not just about numbers; it’s about encouraging communities to take risks, stay connected, and foster environments where faith can flourish in the most inviting and interconnected ways.

Rev. Lau

As Rev. Lau steps into his role within the Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils, he aims to infuse his work with insight, passion, optimism, and curiosity. This event is a unique opportunity to tap into that vision, to share your thoughts, and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our faith communities.

Don’t miss out on this compelling conversation. What are your questions about church growth? Come prepared to explore, to challenge, and to be inspired.

Tuesday, April 9th at 7 PM via Zoom

Register

Let’s embark on this journey together, seeking the growth we need, not just the growth we’ve come to expect.

Seasons of the Heart

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Join us for a soul-nourishing Pop-up Lunch and Learn Webinar! Dive into the spiritual practices of gratitude and generosity, embracing the sacred seasons of Lent and Easter.

Wednesday, January 24 @ 12 noon via Zoom

Hosted by Rev. Melody Duncanson-Hales from the Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils, this session is a unique opportunity to support your Community of Faith Stewardship in profound ways. Don’t miss this enlightening journey through the seasons of the heart.

MILC AGM 2023 Recording

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The 2023 AGM focused on Bold Discipleship in Practice

Guest speakers included:

Tracy Davis, DLM, Supporting End of Life Journeys

Torrin Maag, Master’s Student, Atlantic School of Theology, Lessons from Young Adults: Discipleship in the 21st Century

Diane Matheson-Jimenez, Spirituality as Bold Discipleship

Medical Assistance in Dying: Continuing the Conversation

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This workshop will provide information and insights about medical assistance in dying (MAID). Workshop participants will explore how to care for people on their journey and those in their circle of support while knowing that each person will have different experiences of anticipatory grief complicated at times by a moral/spiritual burden. It will be a safe space to ask difficult questions.There will be an opportunity to wrestle with theology and faith, ethics and fear.

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom

Presented by Rev. Kathy Dahmer who works at Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury as a Psychotherapist in the role of chaplain.

More about Rev. Kathy Dahmer:

Rev Kathy Dahmer lives in Whitefish and works at HSN as a Registered Psychotherapist in the role of Chaplain.  She works with patients and families as they navigate MAID and attends the deaths to provide care; first to patient, then to family.  Kathy has extensive experience in providing supportive care in palliation from her many years of work at Hospice.  In private practice Kathy specializes in Emotion Focused Therapy, which is an experiential therapy rooted in attachment science.  Kathy suggests that often the questions from our heads are coming from a need within our heart, and listens deeply for the language of the heart.  These experiences lived and learned contribute to her understanding pastoral care as the greatest reflection of incarnation.  Kathy is passionate about mentoring and modelling pastoral care as a non-anxious presence, able to journey into the deepest of valleys unafraid.

Advent Study 2023: Do you hear what I hear? Insights from the African Methodist Church

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After serving in the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and the United Methodist English Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rev. Desire Tiriwepi joined St. Paul’s United Church in Thunder Bay in 2022.  Please join the Manitou Intentional Learning Community to hear Rev. Desire share insights on  Advent and Christmas according to the United Methodist Church in Africa and his experience of establishing Intercultural Worship Services at St. Paul’s United in Thunder Bay.

Rev. Desire holds a BA (Hons) and an MA in Religious Studies and Theology from the University of Zimbabwe, and recently earned a Master of Divinity from Drew University, New Jersey, USA.

Monday, December 4th, 2023 @ 6:30 pm Eastern Time

Via Zoom

MILC Annual General Meeting 2023

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The Manitou Intentional Learning Community invites you to our Annual General Meeting, followed by:

Bold Discipleship in Practice

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Hybrid meeting: in person at St Peter’s United Church, Sudbury and online via Zoom

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

(A brief business meeting followed by presentations and discussion)

Guest Speakers

Tracy Davis, DLM, Supporting End of Life Journeys

Torrin Maag, Master’s Student, Atlantic School of Theology, Lessons from Young Adults: Discipleship in the 21st Century

Diane Matheson-Jimenez, Spirituality as Bold Discipleship