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Listen…
With faint dry sound,
Like steps of passing ghosts,
The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees
And fall.
Adelaide Crapsey

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CCS logoCommon Threads

News and Views from the Centre for Christian Studies

October 26, 2019

Hi <<First Name>> ! 
The day I left was exquisite, Winnipeg at its autumn finest. I soaked in the beauty as I headed out on foot to catch the bus to the airport. And, it is a beautiful autumn day here in BC as I write this for my final Common Threads. 
    I leave filled with gratitude for the time I've journeyed with CCS, as student, contractor, committee chair and Central Council member, and finally staff. This place, everyone I've encountered here, has been an integral part of the accompaniment that got me where I am. If you are reading this, you are part of that, so thank you
     My passion and calling and the world's need have come together with a project to bring tools from the world of energy healing to people on the front lines and the margins. It brings together years of community development and outreach with deep studies and experience in energy healing.
     Of course my stepping away from this position doesn't end my connection with CCS. For that I am also grateful. So this truly is a moment of "til we meet again."
Kimiko
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from the principal's desk. . .

I was in Ontario for Thanksgiving weekend – safely ensconced at my parents’ with pumpkin pie and family and worriedly watching the weather in Winnipeg. I arrived back home in Manitoba to a transformed landscape – branches bent and broken, some still blocking streets and sidewalks. There are lessons this year from our urban forest: about fragility and resilience, about chaotic weather and climate change, about vulnerability and loss. Lessons about connection and relationship and relying on one another.

We’re grateful for the help from neighbours – the trucks working in my neighbourhood on the weekend were from Saskatoon. And we’re grateful for the (re)kindling of relationships as our learning circles gather. The life of the school feels differently vibrant when a dozen students are gathered in one place – from laughter and singing to holy silence, the circle holds space for learning and connection.

There is a phrase from Paul’s letter to the Roman community that has been sustaining me this fall: Rejoice in your hope. Hold fast to what is good. The connections between our students, with our alumni, volunteers and friends give much occasion for rejoicing in hope. The more I travel and hear about where ministry is flourishing in the church, the more I am convinced that at the Centre for Christian Studies, we have held onto what is good, and are able to offer education for the transformative leadership that is needed for our current time and contexts. I rejoice in the hopes we share for new growth.

When I look out the windows of the school I see the resilient trees: still bearing their leaves. And I appreciate them more fully than I did before the storm.

 

On the CCS Website...

(click a title to read the whole article)
 


Ministry as Storytelling

A week immersed in Ministry as Storytelling just ended. Check in to see what happened.


Climate Striking: across the country and beyond

CCS staff, students, grads and friends have joined climate action across Canada and as far away as London, England. Check out the action.

Bear Clan Patrol: community people working with community people

Karen Orlandi is both a minister with Silver Spire United and a CCS student. Last fall as she walked with Winnipeg’s Bear Clan Patrol as part of a class on Ministry as Community Building she recognized its potential for her own community. When she returned to St. Catharines she used the capacity her position in the church gave her to seed the way for this grassroots initiative. 


Re-Imagining church

Inspired and renewed, Marcie Gibson brought her curiosity and critical analysis to the reImagine conference in Hamilton. 


Cloud Source

A reflection for CCS Sunday.
Kimiko Karpoff reflects on the folks who make up her Cloud of Witnesses and how they keep her humble.

Celebrate CCS Sunday! November 3, 2019.
Join us in highlighting CCS and diaconal education on November 3 (or pick a different Sunday.) Resources are available for worship and information.

Plan to celebrate the Centre for Christian Studies and lift up future leaders of our church.

Learn with CCS in 2019-2020

On-line learning circles give you access to CCS’s engaged learning from wherever you are. Check out the Power & Privilege on-line circle in January. A terrific continuing studies opportunity!

Do you want to deepen your skills or explore your call to ministry? Do you know someone who would benefit from learning in community at the Centre for Christian Studies?  Has it been a long time since you were part of a learning circle?  Check out what we're offering this year. CCS now offers on-line classes as well as our acclaimed in-person learning circles. 
 

CCS Community

When deep conversations awaken us to yearn for better

Challenging conversations and creative responses at DOTAC sparked a yearning in Companion of the Centre Nancy Ford. She reflected on it in Victoria's Times Colonist newspaper.

Life Moments


In Memorium
Bill Harwood, friend of CCS

Bill Hickerson, friend of CCS (Service November 16 in Winnipeg. Details here.)

Congratulations!
Judy Steers, ordained an Anglican deacon on Sunday October 20th in Hamilton, ON.

Margaret Friesen will be ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land on Saturday, November 23,
 

Vicki McPhee received her Masters of Theological Studies from St. Stephens on November 4th
Title: Between the Amens - What Prompts You to Live Out the Gospel?

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