2026 Course Registration

October 17, 2026 10a-4p. This course explores the foundational concepts of allyship that underpin meaningful support for marginalized communities. We’ll define allyship & distinguish it from related roles—accomplice & co-conspirator—so you can understand where you are on the spectrum of solidarity. What You’ll Learn How allyship differs from accompliceship & co-conspiratorial action Common pitfalls in practicing allyship, including performative gestures and saviorism The art and ethics of apology: when, how, and why to own mistakes Appreciation versus appropriation: celebrating culture without exploitation Concrete, everyday actions that deepen your allyship By the end of this course, you will have a clear roadmap for stepping into allyship with humility, integrity, and purpose—transforming awareness into authentic, lasting change.

Oct 31, Nov 14, 28, 2026  10a-4:30p. This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. Who is God? Who am I? How does one’s gender and identity influence how we understand ourselves, God, others, and the world as a whole? This course explores how identity shapes and forms theology by creating opportunities to engage with alternative perspectives and stories on God and humanity. It invites participants to reflect on their own identity and theological standpoint and how this influences the ways in which they choose to embody their faith and engage in relationships with diverse individuals. It illustrates how this reflection provides a foundation for understanding possibilities for allyship and advocacy alongside those with diverse identities using experiences, stories, and encounters of those who are gender diverse as a particular example.

Oct 31, Nov 14, 28, 2026  10a-4:30p.  This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. Who is God? Who am I? How does one’s gender and identity influence how we understand ourselves, God, others, and the world as a whole? This course explores how identity shapes and forms theology by creating opportunities to engage with alternative perspectives and stories on God and humanity. It invites participants to reflect on their own identity and theological standpoint and how this influences the ways in which they choose to embody their faith and engage in relationships with diverse individuals. It illustrates how this reflection provides a foundation for understanding possibilities for allyship and advocacy alongside those with diverse identities using experiences, stories, and encounters of those who are gender diverse as a particular example.

Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026 (6-9p EST) This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. This course explores the concepts associated with theological reflection or reflective belief while developing the learner’s practice individually and in a group setting.  Learners will engage with five different perspectives (hermeneutical spiral) which influence opinion, behaviour and personal theology, exploring how meaning is made for people of faith in everyday life. Learners will practice reflecting on everyday ministry/care situations, using questioning, problem solving, and critical thinking. At the heart of our learning is the understanding that the task of ministry must be undergirded by critical thinking, self awareness, and self-reflection.  Such an approach centers our common humanity and the relationships we share with one another, ourselves, and God. Learners will gain extensive practice reflecting theologically on common questions, occurrences, problems, and scenarios, through accessing five distinct perspectives on the hermeneutical spiral: doctrine/the Church, personal experience, culture (voices from marginalized communities), scripture, and the life and ministry of Jesus. 

Note: this course is taught from a Christian perspective but belief is not a prerequisite for taking the course. The skills taught and the experience gained in this course are transferable outside the realm of the Christian tradition.

Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026  (6-9p EST) This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. This course explores the concepts associated with theological reflection or reflective belief while developing the learner’s practice individually and in a group setting.  Learners will engage with five different perspectives (hermeneutical spiral) which influence opinion, behaviour and personal theology, exploring how meaning is made for people of faith in everyday life. Learners will practice reflecting on everyday ministry/care situations, using questioning, problem solving, and critical thinking. At the heart of our learning is the understanding that the task of ministry must be undergirded by critical thinking, self awareness, and self-reflection.  Such an approach centers our common humanity and the relationships we share with one another, ourselves, and God. Learners will gain extensive practice reflecting theologically on common questions, occurrences, problems, and scenarios, through accessing five distinct perspectives on the hermeneutical spiral: doctrine/the Church, personal experience, culture (voices from marginalized communities), scripture, and the life and ministry of Jesus. 

Note: this course is taught from a Christian perspective but belief is not a prerequisite for taking the course. The skills taught and the experience gained in this course are transferable outside the realm of the Christian tradition.

February 13, 28, March 13 (10a-4:30p).  This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. This course examines the practice of contemplative prayer from the Early Church through to modern times, with the intent of reflecting on, strengthening and growing our relationships with God, self, and others. Grounding our study in theological and scriptural understandings of prayer, we will explore the idea that the act of contemplation leads to greater daily embodiment of the Gospel and experiences of the Divine that we encounter in private moments of prayer. Through practicum, lecture, reflection, discussion, and readings taken from a wide sampling of authors and practitioners of contemplative prayer, we will consider how this practice encourages us to be more fully engaged as anti-racist, embodied, and self-reflective Christ followers, open to continual spiritual growth and deepening relationship with the Divine.(credit)

February 13, 28, March 13 (10a-4:30p). This course is designed for both clergy & non-clergy. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. This course examines the practice of contemplative prayer from the Early Church through to modern times, with the intent of reflecting on, strengthening and growing our relationships with God, self, and others. Grounding our study in theological and scriptural understandings of prayer, we will explore the idea that the act of contemplation leads to greater daily embodiment of the Gospel and experiences of the Divine that we encounter in private moments of prayer. Through practicum, lecture, reflection, discussion, and readings taken from a wide sampling of authors and practitioners of contemplative prayer, we will consider how this practice encourages us to be more fully engaged as anti-racist, embodied, and self-reflective Christ followers, open to continual spiritual growth and deepening relationship with the Divine. (audit)

November 7 & December 5, 2026  10a-4p. This course is for everyone and has no prerequisite, and offered online via Zoom. Link will be provided prior to class. Instructor: Drew Gillette This one-day introductory course on racial justice offers a foundational understanding of key concepts and frameworks essential to recognizing and addressing racial inequity. We will explore the historical roots of systemic racism, the difference between individual bias & institutional discrimination, and the impact of privilege and power in shaping societal outcomes. The course will also introduce tools for allyship, anti-racist practices, and strategies for fostering inclusive environments. Through interactive discussions and reflective exercises, attendees will gain the awareness and language needed to begin engaging in racial justice work personally and professionally in the church and beyond. Affinity groups (caucuses will be provided to support the varied learning needs of all participants.

November 7 & December 5, 2026  10a-4p. See course description above 

February 6 & March 6, 2027 10a-4p EST. This course is designed for everyone. Must have prior basic education/understanding of racial justice concepts (ie white privilege, power, intersectionality, equity, implicit bias, etc). This course is offered online via Zoom. Link will be provided prior to class. Instructor: Drew Gillette In this one day course we will review concepts that are key to racial justice & look at how we can apply that knowledge to serving our respective communities through our own unique gifts and dreams. The first part of the day we will review concepts such as power, intersectionality, identity/positionality, how the various levels of oppression function, & allyship. The second half of the day we will reflect on our personal gifts, skills, and dreams and how these relate to our unique calling to serve others and work towards justice. We will work in groups in order to share, brainstorm, receive feedback & discern next steps. Affinity groups (caucuses will be provided to support the varied learning needs of all participants.

February 6 & March 6, 2027 10a-4p EST. See course description above

November 19, 2026 noon-4p. This course is designed for clergy and lay leaders and is offered online via Zoom. Link will be provided prior to class. Instructor: Jennifer Boyes-Garbin. Our ministry is guided by the respect we have for our congregants & by their having entrusted us with their spiritual well-being. When we do not respect their separateness or use their vulnerabilities to satisfy our personal needs, we have violated boundaries & betrayed a sacred trust. Healthy boundaries are a gift. They are helpful guidelines that give shape to our relationships. In ministry situations boundaries clarify who is the congregant and who is the mentor, not in a hierarchical way, but in a manner that prevents the unhealthy merging of individuals. Boundaries create safe spaces & help to build trust over time. (From Faithtrust Institute)

November 5, 2026 noon-4p . This course is designed for clergy. Participants should have prior training in boundaries to be adequately prepared. This course is offered online via Zoom. Link will be provided prior to class. Instructor: Jean-Daniel Ó Donnacada Boundaries to keep parishioners safe are essential and rightly emphasized in introductory boundary courses. This course is a supplemental course for those in placements and ministry to identify when, cope with, and move forward in instances of parishioners, colleagues, and leaders monopolizing time, misusing power, manipulating through donations or compensation, and bullying, to empower clergy to stay healthy and strengthen their ministry for and with ALL people to whom they are called to serve.

May 29, June 12 and 26, 2027. Moana Jackson, a Māori lawyer, said the age of discovery is described more accurately as the age of genocide. This course examines the doctrine as the foundation of all systemic racism and stereotypes that Indigenous people face today in the colonial state of Canada. We will review how the doctrine has been used and repudiated by the Papal office but, how even repudiating the doctrine does not end the oppression of Indigenous people on Turtle Island commonly referred to as Canada and the United States. (credit)

May 29, June 12 and 26, 2027.  Moana Jackson, a Māori lawyer, said the age of discovery is described more accurately as the age of genocide. This course examines the doctrine as the foundation of all systemic racism and stereotypes that Indigenous people face today in the colonial state of Canada. We will review how the doctrine has been used and repudiated by the Papal office but, how even repudiating the doctrine does not end the oppression of Indigenous people on Turtle Island commonly referred to as Canada and the United States. (audit)

DATES TBA This course is designed for both clergy & lay people. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. Artificial Intelligence is shaping human culture, relationships, and even religious imagination. In three intensive days, we will explore theological questions raised by AI: Is a chatbot my neighbour? Could a robot bear the image of God? What might incarnation, sin, and salvation mean in an algorithmic age? and How should the Church respond to both the promise and perils of AI? Join us as we explore the burgeoning world of AI and its impact on ministry, congregational life, preaching, and theology. 

DATES TBA This course is designed for both clergy & lay people. Location: Online (Link to be shared in advance of course). Course syllabus and reading list will be provided in advance. Artificial Intelligence is shaping human culture, relationships, and even religious imagination. In three intensive days, we will explore theological questions raised by AI: Is a chatbot my neighbour? Could a robot bear the image of God? What might incarnation, sin, and salvation mean in an algorithmic age? and How should the Church respond to both the promise and perils of AI? Join us as we explore the burgeoning world of AI and its impact on ministry, congregational life, preaching, and theology.