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This summer, the Montreal School of Theology is relaunching the Montreal Mission Internship: a nine-week paid internship for 18- to 25-year-olds that will enable participants to put their faith into action and discern their Christian vocation in our changing world. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging for many young people, disrupting their education and social life. These last two years have also made clear the scope of the challenges that we face as a society. Climate change. Homelessness. Reconciliation. Racial justice. Food security. Migration. This is the world that young people are coming of age in and the one they will inherit.  

Young people emerging into adulthood at this moment are both driven by a desire to build a just society but also searching for ways to make meaningful change that aligns with their vision and values. There are many young people who have a sense of what the church would call vocation but lack the opportunity to develop this call in the context of a supportive community of peers.  

Each participant in MMI will be placed in a position at one of the many faith-based service organizations in the city. This work could be in relation to social issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, migration, or whatever is of particular interest to the participant. Every week, the interns will meet as a group for learning, reflection, and community support, facilitated by the program’s director, MST faculty, and other guests. We’ll also work to connect these participants with church communities and encourage them to develop leadership skills in the church. To make this program as accessible as possible to students from as many backgrounds as possible, this will be a paid internship position, with a stipend of up to $5000 for the nine-week program. We don’t want financial constraints to be an obstacle to participation.   

This program takes what we know about theological reflection and discernment and extends and adapts it for young people who are not necessarily considering Christian ministry but have a strong sense of service in the world. By providing opportunities for participants to engage in meaningful work in relation to an area of deep concern for them and do so within a community of peers, we believe that we can help participants begin to express Christian vocation at a crucial time in their lives. 

We’re able to relaunch MMI this summer thanks to the recent grant we received from the Lilly Endowment, as well as additional funding from the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s Say Yes to Kids Initiative.  

You can learn more about the program on its dedicated website: www.montrealmission.ca. We also have printed publicity material and we would be happy to send it to you—just let us know and we’ll put it in the mail.  

We are excited to be relaunching this program and provide this opportunity for more young adults to find their calling as they emerge into adulthood as people of faith in a changing and challenging world.  

The post The Montreal Mission Internship: Forming young leaders for the church and world appeared first on UTC.

(La version française est disponsible.)

THE UNITED THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE

that the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa will be conferred on the Rev. Catherine (Cathy) Ann Hamilton for her visionary service to the Church.

Cathy received her Master of Divinity from UTC in 2009. During her years of theological formation she made a large effort to improve her French in order to minister bilingually. After doing her ministry placement in a francophone setting in Quebec, she became the first recipient of the Certificate in Bilingual Ministry at UTC. She was ordained in 2009 by the Montreal and Ottawa Conference of the United Church of Canada to serve in the Deux-Montagnes pastoral charge. This placement opened the door to working in the Laurentians, where she developed an innovative regional ministry made up of nine small parishes, including one francophone parish. Cathy organised a team of lay pastoral leaders and ministers to take care of this large territory and maintain its bilingual ministry. Cathy’s leadership paved the way for a new model of ministry that addresses the needs of small parishes who individually lack resources. Familiar with the realities on the ground, Cathy understood the structural barriers to creating new ministries in the United Church.

In 2012, in addition to assuming the presidency of the Montreal and Ottawa Conference, she accepted the presidency of the Comprehensive Review Task Group put in place by the 41^st General Council. This task group helped restructure the church, bringing it forward into a new vision. Cathy guided the process with competence, faith, humility, and sensitivity to all parts of the Church. Throughout all these changes, she provided support to the Francophones in the Church as they created the Table des ministères en français, which allowed them to govern themselves and to strengthen ministries in French in the United Church. UTC’s commitment to integrating French formation into its programming is a part of this movement.

For all her actions and for her vision of a future for the Church that surmounts cultural, and linguistic barriers, UTC confers the honorary doctorate on Cathy Hamilton this year. During this first joint convocation with UTC and Montreal Dio, this recognition takes on a particular significance and inspires us in our formation of future leaders for the Church.

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We are delighted to welcome Alan Ma onto our staff team as program director for the Montreal Mission Internship (MMI). 

MMI is a nine-week program that combines theological reflection with service learning. As program director, Alan combines his expertise as a coach and social service worker with his Christian faith in order to guide others as they draw closer to God through service. In late May, we will welcome twelve interns from across the country. Each intern will be placed at a social service organization in the city that suits their unique interests. The interns will gather weekly to reflect on their experiences, build community, and develop their vocation as a young person of faith in the world. Alan will be responsible for arranging service placements, facilitating the reflective aspect of the program, organizing activities for the interns, and otherwise guiding them throughout the summer. 

Alan describes himself as “a Christian, father, Asian-Canadian, educator, and community organizer whose commitment to demonstrating God’s love is manifested in service and work amongst marginalized communities in our society”. Trained first as an educator and coach, his main philosophy when it comes to working with youth is that of “guided discovery through experiential learning”. “I see myself more so as a facilitator to learning than a traditional teacher,” he says. “Learning through trial and error, and experiencing the consequences of decisions is the true hallmark of a lesson learned. However, I do believe there is an important role in walking alongside one another. We participate as a body by supporting others in their learning journey.”    

Alan’s interest in social service work began twenty years ago when he interned with a missional organization in Toronto. He became connected to the organization through the church he was attending while living there. “I vividly remember the day when I was confronted with the reality of our fallen world – living in a city of abundance but witnessing the day-to-day suffering and lack of access of the many.” Over the following two decades he became certified as a teacher and as a coach, and eventually began using those skills in the non-profit sector where he honed his craft first at the local then the national level. “I worked with community residents and collectively reshaped programs and services. I built up organizational and communal capacities. And I mentored the young people that came through our doors. To this day, I am honoured that many alumni of the organizations I worked with are still open to listening to some of my discounted wisdom.” 

It was his church membership that led Alan into social service work and is a huge part of why he continues to do the work that he does. He stresses the importance of remaining in Him. “God is constantly at work, and we are merely invited to participate. Whenever our fallible nature gets the best of us, we stray and become enamored by the invitation. We become dangerously consumed by the work. We hold tightly to the image as saviours as if we were the redeemer Himself.  This is a constant tension that we must wrestle and seek the Spirit’s strength in returning to Him and submitting before him. I participate where He permits.” 

This summer, Alan is excited to walk alongside other Christians in their journey with God. “It is my hope that all the interns may draw closer to God the Father, the Son and the Spirit during their placements. Through the application of their faith in this community setting, I hope they will experience the different attributes of God and be led by the Spirit to discern potential paths and vocations for their future.” 

The post Introducing Alan Ma, Program Director for the Montreal Mission Internship appeared first on UTC.

(La version française est disponible.)

The United Theological College and Montreal Dio are taking new steps to deepen their relationship and provide for excellent theological education in Montreal.

In agreement documents approved by the Boards of Governors at separate meetings on April 21, 2022, Dio agrees to formally launch a United Church Studies Program that will prepare students for ordered ministry in the United Church of Canada. Dio also agrees to continue  building on UTC’s work with French-speaking students and students learning French by offering and enhancing French-language programs and programs that prepare people for bilingual ministry.

Patty Evans, the chairperson of UTC’s Board of Governors, said, “We are entering this partnership with aspirations for all that we hope to gain as we share and learn from one another, mutually celebrating our gifts and strengths. As the UTC Board of Governors, we are gratified that our aim to ensure the continuity of United Church theological education in Montreal beyond the existence of UTC itself is being realized.”

UTC will take steps to wind down its legal existence and transfer its remaining assets to Dio. In turn, Dio will amend its constitution to provide for United Church participation in its governance. Dio will be an ecumenical institution that continues to train students for ministry in the Anglican, United Church, and other traditions, in partnership with the Montreal School of Theology and McGill University.

“God is always calling us to new things,” said the Rt. Rev. Mary Irwin-Gibson, Anglican Bishop of Montreal and President of Dio. “The decisions we are making are the result of the great faithfulness and goodwill shown by all who have been involved in this process. We are excited to see what new fruit this partnership will bear for our churches.”

UTC and Dio students and faculty at their first joint worship service of the year

In January 2021, Dio and UTC announced an 18-month strategic alliance. In spring 2021, UTC sold its building on University Street and moved into Dio. For the past academic year, the two colleges have been working alongside one another. A survey of UTC students conducted in February 2022 showed significant levels of satisfaction with the arrangement and a unanimous desire to continue the partnership between the colleges beyond this year.

A planning process led by a working group of members of the two Boards of Governors has been taking place over the past year. This involved a two-day joint meeting of the members of both Boards as well as significant focused work by various task groups.

Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church stated, “I welcome the new combined college of UTC and Dio as a concrete demonstration of a shared common table based on ecumenical collaboration, and the furthering of intercultural theological education and formation, including French formation for lay and ordered ministries. This new common table will help United Church and Anglican students engage deeply in ecumenical practice and sharing together throughout their theological education.”

 “The last year has shown us the great potential of this relationship,” said the Rev. Canon Jesse Zink, Dio’s principal. “We’ve seen great growth in our online courses for lay people, in English and in French. We’ve learned about how UTC’s work in French can enrich a broader audience. And we’ve realized how we are called to partner in the work of preaching the gospel. I’m looking forward to what we can continue to do together.”

Montreal Diocesan Theological College (known simply as “Dio”) was founded in 1873. The United Theological College was formed in 1927 from the combination of earlier denominational colleges. The two colleges, along with the Presbyterian College, form the Montreal School of Theology, a theological institute which has collaborated with McGill University since 1914 to deliver theological education on University Street in Montreal.

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(An English version if available.)

Le Séminaire Uni et le Séminaire diocésain de Montréal franchissent de nouvelles étapes dans la consolidation de leur relation pour offrir une formation en théologie de grande qualité à Montréal.

Dans une entente entérinée par le conseil d’administration de chaque école lors de réunions distinctes tenues le 21 avril 2022, le Séminaire diocésain s’est engagé à lancer un programme d’études de l’Église Unie pour assurer la formation d’étudiantes et d’étudiants en vue du ministère ordonné au sein de l’Église Unie du Canada. Le Séminaire diocésain s’est aussi engagé à poursuivre le travail du Séminaire Uni auprès des étudiantes et des étudiants francophones, en offrant et en bonifiant les programmes qui leur sont destinés de même que les programmes de formation pour l’exercice d’un ministère bilingue.

Madame Patty Evans, présidente du conseil d’administration du Séminaire Uni, a déclaré : « Nous entamons ce partenariat avec l’espérance de tirer pleinement profit de la mise en commun et des apprentissages réciproques qu’il permettra, en célébrant mutuellement nos dons et nos forces. En tant que conseil d’administration du Séminaire Uni, nous nous réjouissons de voir se réaliser notre souhait de maintenir une formation en théologie selon la sensibilité de l’Église Unie à Montréal, au-delà de l’existence du Séminaire Uni. »

Le Séminaire Uni entreprendra donc les démarches requises pour dissoudre sa personnalité juridique et transférera ses actifs résiduels au Séminaire diocésain. De son côté, le Séminaire diocésain modifiera ses statuts pour permettre une participation de l’Église Unie à sa gouvernance. Le Séminaire diocésain deviendra ainsi un établissement œcuménique offrant la formation au ministère à des étudiantes et des étudiants provenant des traditions de l’Église anglicane, de l’Église Unie et d’autres Églises, le tout en partenariat avec l’École théologique de Montréal et l’Université McGill.

« Dieu nous appelle constamment à des choses nouvelles, a affirmé l’évêque anglicane de Montréal, la révérende Mary Irwin-Gibson, présidente du Séminaire diocésain. Les décisions qui ont été prises sont le résultat de la foi profonde et de la bonne volonté dont ont fait preuve toutes les parties prenant part à cette démarche. C’est dans l’enthousiasme que nous attendons de voir les nouveaux fruits que ce partenariat offrira à nos Églises. »

En janvier 2021, le Séminaire diocésain et le Séminaire Uni ont conclu une alliance stratégique de 18 mois. Au printemps 2021, le Séminaire Uni s’est départi de son immeuble de la rue University et a emménagé dans les locaux du Séminaire diocésain. Durant la dernière année universitaire, les deux écoles ont ainsi fonctionné côte à côte, puis en février 2022, un sondage mené auprès de la cohorte étudiante de l’Église Unie a démontré un niveau de satisfaction important à l’égard de cette entente et un désir unanime que ce partenariat soit maintenu au-delà de l’année en cours.

Pendant la dernière année, une démarche de planification a été entreprise par un groupe de travail conjoint constitué de membres des conseils d’administration de chaque école, y compris la tenue d’une rencontre de deux jours des membres des deux conseils ainsi que l’étude approfondie de points précis par divers groupes de travail.

« Je salue la création de cette nouvelle école associant le Séminaire Uni et le Séminaire diocésain de Montréal, s’est réjoui Michael Blair, le secrétaire général de l’Église Unie. Il s’agit de la démonstration concrète d’une table commune fondée sur la collaboration œcuménique et l’avancement de l’éducation et de la formation théologiques interculturelles, dont la formation en français destinée aux ministères laïques et ordonnés. Cette nouvelle table commune aidera les étudiantes et les étudiants de l’Église Unie et de l’Église anglicane à s’investir intensément dans la pratique de l’œcuménisme et à interagir ensemble tout au long de leur formation théologique. »

« La dernière année nous a montré tout le potentiel de cette relation, a expliqué le chanoine Jesse Zink, directeur du Séminaire diocésain. Nous avons connu un développement important de nos cours en ligne destinés aux laïques, tant en anglais qu’en français. Nous avons appris comment l’expérience du travail en français du Séminaire Uni peut nous permettre d’élargir le public que nous touchons, et nous avons pris conscience de l’appel à un partenariat pour œuvrer à la proclamation de l’Évangile. C’est donc avec enchantement que je tourne le regard vers l’avenir et vers tout ce qu’il nous sera possible de réaliser ensemble. »

Le Séminaire diocésain de Montréal [Montreal Diocesan Theological College] (connu sous l’appellation Dio) a été fondé en 1873. Le Séminaire Uni [United Theological College] a été constitué en 1927, à la suite de la fusion des établissements de formation des Églises qui ont intégré l’union. Avec le Collège presbytérien [The Presbyterian College], les deux écoles collaborent depuis 1914 avec l’Université McGill afin de pouvoir offrir la formation en théologie sur la rue University à Montréal, et en ligne de façon de plus en plus importante.

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Par Angelika Piché, Directrice de la formation en français

La communauté bilingue du Séminaire Uni a trouvé un bon accueil chez les anglicans et les deux langues ont résonné dans les classes et à la chapelle du Séminaire diocésain cette année. Un apprentissage quotidien avait lieu entre les étudiants et étudiantes anglophones et francophones, chacun écoutant et pratiquant la langue de l’autre. Le soutien et les activités proposées par notre professeure de français, Clara Maranzano, ont aidé à bien intégrer le vocabulaire français pour le ministère pastoral. Deux étudiants qui recevront leur diplôme cette année obtiendront en même temps le Certificat de ministère bilingue.

Pour les membres des paroisses francophones, autant l’Église Unie que de l’Église anglicane, plusieurs cours en ligne ont été disponibles dans le cadre de notre programme Exploration de la foi et du leadership: des cours sur Le Premier Testament, Le Nouveau Testament et Les célébrations liturgiques (Église Unie seulement). L’éducation chrétienne et Les grands thèmes de la foi sont actuellement offerts au printemps 2022. Une belle rencontre a eu lieu au mois de novembre lors d’une retraite de trois jours sur la spiritualité. Ce programme, ouvert à tout le monde, est apprécié par ceux et celles qui veulent approfondir leur foi ou prendre plus de responsabilités dans leur paroisse.

Ayant plusieurs étudiants et étudiantes francophones à la maitrise et du clergé en processus d’admission à l’Église Unie, cette année nous avons été en mesure d’offrir les cours qui initient à la théologie et à la pratique de l’Église Unie de façon bilingue, ou même entièrement en français. Cela permet de consolider la base des ressources disponibles en français pour l’ensemble de l’Église.

En somme, une année encourageante pour la vision d’intégrer le français davantage dans la formation de nos deux Églises.

The post Le français au Séminaire Uni et au Séminaire diocésain de 2021 à 2022 appeared first on UTC.

Une réflexion par Jean-Philippe Dubé-Goupil, Diplôme en ministère

Après plusieurs mois d’hiver, voici que j’examine la rue et les arbres par la fenêtre de ma maison située sur le Plateau Mont-Royal. Le temps est doux, les oiseaux chantent de nouveau. Un printemps s’annonce avec la fin des cours de l’année finale des études, l’année d’intégration au ministère. Tout comme les saisons qui passent sans que l’on s’en aperçoive, mon passage à l’École théologique de Montréal se termine. L’automne passé, j’arrivais de loin pour débuter l’année scolaire à Montréal, une ville que je ne connaissais pas du tout. Ce fut comme arriver dans un nouveau pays, pour moi qui viens d’un hameau caché dans une vallée aux nombreuses forêts. D’ailleurs, le protestantisme m’était alors quasiment inconnu puisque je provenais d’une autre tradition. J’étais appelé, en ce sens, à apprendre de nouvelles manières d’exprimer ma foi en Jésus. Après le français venait l’anglais. Après l’Église catholique romaine, l’Église Unie du Canada. Une telle transition ne fut pas aisée. Il y a eu des moments de crise, des moments de doute. Toutefois, quel bonheur pour un étudiant « étranger » que de se savoir accompagné, et ce, même dans ses difficultés ! C’est pour dire que le corps professoral ainsi que les étudiants m’ont accueilli et soutenu sans réserve. S’il m’était donné d’offrir une fleur à l’École théologique de Montréal, elle porterait le nom de « dévouement » ou de « dedication » en anglais.

Être aussi bien accompagné par la communauté de l’École théologique de Montréal m’a permis de passer à travers les épreuves de mon parcours, mais aussi à me laisser mettre au défi. Un de ces grands défis pour moi fut l’apprentissage d’une nouvelle culture et d’une nouvelle langue dans le cadre de mon stage. Ce fut un défi, certes, mais une expérience qui me transforma du tout au tout et qui me permit de prendre conscience des grâces que l’Esprit m’octroya. Suivre la voie de Jésus nous amène à des endroits inconnus et insoupçonnés. Il nous invite à nous laisser déranger dans nos habitudes. C’est pour dire que, grâce à la générosité de l’Esprit ainsi qu’à un bon accompagnement de la part des enseignants, j’ai pu trouver et m’équiper d’outils indispensables en vue du ministère, c’est-à-dire le courage et la patience. Je ressors donc de cette dernière année d’intégration au ministère avec une grande confiance en moi-même, prêt à relever les défis qui s’annoncent à moi. Bien que nous sommes une petite école et une petite communauté, reste néanmoins que nous avons à cœur l’invitation de Jésus qui nous mène à travers la vie et qui nous propose de nous renouveler à partir des signes des temps.

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After two years of Zoom convocations, the college community was delighted to gather in person at Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate our graduates as well our future with Montreal Dio. It was a truly ecumenical and bilingual affair, including hymns and prayers from the Anglican and United Church traditions, and clergy and guests representing both denominations and beyond.

The honorary Doctorate of Divinity was conferred on the Rev. Catherine (Cathy) Ann Hamilton for her impact on the vitality of French ministries in the United Church of Canada. A special award was given to Patty Evans, chairperson of the UTC Board of Governors, for her tireless work over the past two years as we have discerned a future with Dio. Adele Halliday (pictured above), Anti-Racism and Equity Lead for the United Church of Canada, gave the convocaton address. She encouraged the graduates to begin a “trauma informed ministry”, and to use their own experiences of brokenness, of belonging, and of not being believed, to create space for racialized people in their ministry contexts.

Awards given out at convocation:

Prizes Awarded by Montreal Dio:

The Gault Award, made to the final-year student who, in the opinion of the judges, shows the best combination of personal maturity and readiness for ministry: Bram Kranichfeld
The Bancroft Prize, for a theological essay: Ben Crosby
The Robert Reford Prize, for the leading of worship. Based on the conduct of Morning and Evening Prayer in College Chapel, in the normal course of the daily schedule: Sarah Wicks
The Lachlan Gibb Award, for preaching: Sarah Killam
The Canon Mark Beaufoy Award, for the demonstration and development of pastoral skills: Bram Kranichfeld
The Alys L.G. Slater Memorial Bequest, for proficiency in Anglican studies: Alex Griffin
The Lionel Temple-Hill Prize, in memory of Lionel Temple-Hill, a 1938 graduate of Dio and 1976 honorary doctorate recipient: Peter Lekx
The Rev. Canon Dr. Lettie James Prize, for feminist or pastoral theory: Jessica Gauthier
The College Prize for Academic Achievement in the Master of Arts Program: Tevfik Karatop

Prizes Awarded by UTC:

The McCorkill Award for Academic Excellence in M.Div. III: Norman Robert Boie
The Donald H. Crawford Award for Pastoral Ministry: Jean-Philippe Dubé-Goupil
The John Dillon Award for Highest Standing in M.Div. II: Adedeji Sunday Akintayo
The Joseph G. Joyce Award for Old Testament Studies: Felississima Mwambarangwe
The Lydia McCullough Memorial Award for Church History: Jessica Gauthier
The R. Stuart Johnson Memorial Prize for the Pursuit of Excellence in Biblical Studies: Morgan-Pierre Point
The Fairman Junior Award for General Proficiency in M.Div. I: Marie Silvenie Chery

Bishop Russel Brown Award, awarded to the student who made the biggest impact on the community life of the college over the year, voted on by the student body: Norman Robert Boie

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NORMAN ROBERT BOIE, MASTER OF DIVINITY (WITH DISTINCTION)

Norman Robert finished a Bachelor’s in Education at McGill University in his twenties, then taught in the public and private Quebec school system. In 1991, he auditioned for Montreal’s production of Les Misérables and embarked on a career in the performing arts. In 2001, he started a career in television, first as a manager and then as a TV producer. In 2017, he began to follow a call to ministry.

“In the last five years, I have learned much about religion and explored theology from many diverse angles. In doing so, I have deepened my faith and beliefs, and have integrated skills and knowledge gleaned from previous life experiences. I am ready to serve and go wherever the Spirit is calling.”

PRISCILLA GEISTERFER, DIPLOMA IN MINISTRY (WITH DISTINCTION)

Since 2000, Priscilla has been working in the context of spiritual formation for various Canadian religious institutions. She has an MA in biblical interpretation and several years of doctoral studies that remain incomplete. Recently, Priscilla spent 11 years working as faith formation coordinator for United Churches in New Brunswick.

“UTC formed in me Christian leadership that was rooted in love, spiritual practice, and faith. The leader that I have become as a result, emerges from an emphasis on theological reflection in relation to all aspects of Christian community. I believe this formation is as valuable for the laity as it is for ordained members of the Church.”

JEAN-PHILIPPE DUBÉ-GOUPIL, DIPLOMA IN MINISTRY

Jean-Philippe is a “jack of all trades”, a specialized educator interested in theories of art. He has worked in difficult contexts and met people with criminal records, mental health issues or who are in palliative care. He believes that human beings are not limited to the mistakes of the past, no matter how serious they are. As he progressed in this way of thinking, he grew interested in theology. He has come to believe that humans are first and foremost spiritual beings.

“I want to thank everyone who accompanied me through this journey. I will keep fond memories of the year we have spent together.”

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