Centre for Christian Studies

Learning on Purpose day 4, and the hot water tanks broke down. Cold showers, but refreshing conversations about spiritual care, social justice, and education.

LoP turtle update: the Learning on Purpose turtle dug a hole and laid eggs today. In other LoP news, today we explored learning styles and methods of biblical interpretation. Lots to gestate.

Learning on Purpose at Five Oaks Centre started today. Fifteen participants and one turtle.

It was great to have representatives of the United Church theological schools meeting at CCS the past couple of days. Good conversations and a spirit of collaboration.

Happy to be hanging out with folks at the Prairie-to-Pine regional meeting, talking about CCS’s learning circles, our appreciation of DUCC mentors, and the way our students connect church and world.

CCS's Ages & Stages learning circle starts tomorrow, exploring ministry and faith formation with children, with youth, with adults, with seniors, and intergenerationally. Question, do you know children who go to church? And if so, what do you they find meaningful about it? Asking for a friend. (Or a bunch of friends.)

Thank you to all the great people who helped us explore Right Relations last week - Maggie Dieter, Shanley Spence, Eveline Grisdale, Crystel MacLean-Grisdale and her family, Vince Solomon, the folks at Just Waters, and all the CCS students and staff.

Images from Right Relations 2026 Students gathered to deconstruct, decolonize, and dance.

The Right Relations learning circle at CCS ended yesterday. It was an intense but enlightening week of exploring reconciliation, colonialism, and the Indigenous history and values. Thank you to all the great resource people and conversation partners. Safe travels to everyone returning to their home communities.

Common Threads ~ April 26, 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/bd146f91e94b/common-threads-10141858

Happy Earth Day.
Stan Mckay (Cree elder, former UCC Moderator, and Companion of the Centre for Christian Studies) reminds us that conversations about reconciliation must also include discussion of the health of the whole creation. The natural world teaches lessons on how life can be shared and diversity and dignity honoured.