Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) continues to be one of the most complex and tender realities facing individuals, families, and communities of faith. As legislation has evolved in Canada, so too has the need for thoughtful, informed, and compassionate conversation—especially within the church.

The Manitou Intentional Learning Community invites you to join us for an online panel discussion.

Monday, January 12 | 6:30 p.m. (ET) | Online via Zoom

This evening will offer space to learn together about what MAiD is, what current Canadian legislation allows and does not allow, and—most importantly—how faith communities can respond with care, humility, and compassion. Panelists will share from their lived experience accompanying individuals who have chosen MAiD and the families who love them, reflecting on the challenges they have encountered and what they have found to be most helpful in pastoral and community contexts.

Panelists:

Rev. Kathy Dahmer
Kathy currently serves at St. Mark’s United Church in Sudbury and is also a registered psychotherapist. She brings extensive experience in spiritual and emotional care, having worked as a Spiritual Care Practitioner at Health Sciences North. Kathy is an advanced grief recovery specialist and has accompanied many individuals and families through serious illness, dying, and bereavement, offering grounded insight into the pastoral realities surrounding MAiD.

Rev. Tracy Davis
Tracy serves in team ministry at Emmanuel United Church in North Bay. Alongside her congregational ministry, she is a trained end-of-life doula, offering compassionate presence and guidance to those who are dying and to the people who love them. Tracy’s ministry is shaped by deep listening, storytelling, and gentle accompaniment, with a strong commitment to dignity, inclusion, and care that honours the whole person.

Rev. Steven Loweth
Steven serves as minister at Westminster United Church in Thunder Bay. He came to ministry following many years of work as a music publisher and longstanding involvement in the church since his teens as a youth leader. Drawn to Westminster for its strong commitment to social justice and its affirming identity, Steven and his husband Lionel (also a United Church minister) believe deeply that love, justice, and inclusion are central to the Gospel.

Sheila Noyes
Sheila is a former co-president of Dying With Dignity Canada and has been a passionate advocate for end-of-life choice for nearly 30 years. In 1993, she presented to the Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and was quoted in its final report, Of Life and Death. She has been formally recognized for her advocacy work by Dying With Dignity Canada, and in 2016, the United Church Observer named her one of five United Church people who helped shape Canada’s laws around end-of-life options.

This event is intended for clergy, lay leaders, caregivers, and all those seeking greater understanding of MAiD and its implications for ministry and community life. We approach this conversation not to resolve every question, but to listen carefully, learn together, and deepen our capacity for compassionate accompaniment.

We hope you will join us for this important and timely conversation.

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.

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

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

**  EVENT POSTPONED

Please watch for further details about rescheduling.

Presentation  by Mr. Fareed Khan

January 29th marks the four year anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting when six people were killed and nineteen were injured. Deemed as one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history, the massacre that took place in the Quebec City mosque continues to prompt much-needed public debate and discussion around hate, racism, Islamophobia and the rise of right-wing terrorism in Canada. In collaboration with the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Green from the Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Sudbury, the Manitou Intentional Learning Community will host a Zoom event that will address ongoing issues of hate, racism and Islamophobia in Canada. Joining us as our Guest Speaker is Mr. Fareed Khan, founder of the anti-racism group known as Canadians United Against Hate. Mr. Khan’s presentation entitled Hate, Racism and Islamophobia in Canada-Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?  will enable participants to ask hard questions, and to raise our awareness for how we might each do our part to become more active in combating hate and racism in our lives and communities.

Biography of Fareed Khan

Fareed Khan is the founder of the anti-racism group Canadians United Against Hate.  He is also the Director of Advocacy and Media Relations, and the co-founder of the Rohingya Human Rights Network.  He has a professional background in strategic communications, advocacy, public policy development and media relations spanning more than three decades. During his career he has advanced public policy initiatives at all levels of government.  He has advised and consulted with federal and provincial cabinet ministers, senators, municipal, business and community leaders on broad spectrum of public policy and communications issues that have impacted the lives of Canadians.

Fareed is passionate about issues which impact human rights and civil liberties, combat racism, and support broader issues of social justice.  Because of his human rights and anti-racism work, he is regularly called upon by CBC, CTV, Global, Canadian Press, the Globe and Mail and others to provide media analysis and commentary.

He has held leadership positions on the boards of numerous national and community-based charitable, civic and business organizations in Ottawa, Toronto, and the US, and has led efforts which have raised more than $375,000 for various charitable causes.

Fareed graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Toronto’s York University and pursued graduate studies at Carleton University in the areas of foreign affairs, defence, national security, and communications studies.  He has also studied at the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi and Trois Rivières, as well as pursued professional development studies in communications and media at Ryerson University.

This event has been postponed.  More information to follow.

A workshop on the United Nations Declarations and the Rights of Indigenous People for people of faith will be offered by Teresa Jones and Lisa Blais.

The Manitou Conference Living into Right Relations Committee and the Manitou Intentional Learning Community invite you to the premiere of the documentary movie Truly and Humbly: Memories of the First Apology. Through the stories of those present at the first Apology to Indigenous people by the United Church of Canada, this movie, directed by Dr. Hoi Cheu, presents the history of the Apology, meditates on its implications and presents a call for action. The hour long movie will be followed by a time for questions, discussion and refreshments. The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell will be present.