Winter Refresher: The Bible and Empire: Exploring the Formation of the Hebrew Bible

The Bible and Empire: Exploring the Formation of the Hebrew Bible. The 100th anniversary Winter Refresher at St. Andrew's College will be February 13th to 15th with David M. Carr, Professor of Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary, New York City. For further information and registration see http://www.usask.ca/stu/standrews/news/winter_refresher.php.

Differences that Unite: A 21st century exploration of Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry

An ecumenical Lenten series exploring the doctrinal consensus and convergence on key issues of church life and practice. Join Nick Jesson and Rev. Amanda Currie as we harvest the significant agreement reached between the churches in the past half century and look to the future. Together with an ecumenical panel, we will discover the faith that we share and the practices and beliefs that we hold in common, as well as seek to understand the differences that make each of our church Traditions unique.

You are invited to a 5-week Lenten series for all Christians who are praying and working for the unity of the church. On Mondays from Feb. 27 to Mar. 26 from 7-9 pm at Mayfair United Church (902 - 33rd Street West).

2012 is the 30th anniversary of the World Council of Churches’ statement on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM). Thirty years after BEM have our Churches truly embraced the ecumenical agreement that is expressed in the document? And are we still engaging in the dialogue necessary to move towards even greater agreement, co-operation, and Christian unity? If you would like to read BEM in advance of the series, you can find it online at http://oikoumene.org/?id=2638.

Registration on the first evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. There is no fee for this series, but you are welcome to make a donation to support the ministry of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. For more information, contact Rev. Amanda Currie at 306-242-0525 or .

Breaking Down Dividing Walls: What does Christian unity look like?

Tuesdays, March 6 and 13 from 7:30-9:30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (12th Street and Wiggins Ave., Saskatoon). An exploration of foundational principles of Catholic commitment to ecumenism. Drawing from papal and conciliar sources as well as a number of contemporary ecumenical projects, this course will explore the vision of unity that provides the basis for all Catholic participation in the promotion of the ecumenical movement. Discussion of practical issues and proposals for church unity. Offered by Nick Jesson (diocesan ecumenical officer) in conjunction with the RC Diocesan Foundation Program.

National Workshop on Christian Unity - Oklahoma City 2012

The 2012 National Workshop on Christian Unity will be held April 16 to 19 in Oklahoma City, OK.

The National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU) is an annual ecumenical event for all involved in, or concerned with the ministry of Christian Unity. It brings together laity, pastors, ecumenical officers, theologians, and church leaders to exchange ideas and programs, and to pray and plan together for the sake of Christian Unity. The Workshop is intended to balance national planning with local responsibility, general ecumenical discussions with particular inter-church conversation and regional leadership efforts with local realities.

NWCU is not an ecumenical agency with a staff and set program to which various denominations contribute. Rather it is an event created by people whose commitment to Christian Unity calls them together. The NWCU happens because of the contribution of its participants.

NOTE: The NWCU is a U.S. conference planned by and for the U.S. churches and ecumenical networks. Canadians are welcome to attend, and may be eligible for associate membership in one of the constituent networks. See the website for details.

American Association of Interchurch Families conference 2012

The 2012 AAIF conference will be held July 13-15, 2012 at St John's University (SJU), Collegeville Minnesota.

The college has a lot of woodlands, lakes, hiking trails and wildlife on its 2,500 acres. Since SJU is in the suburbs of St. Cloud, MN, about 60 miles NW of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, it is hoped that daytime attendees from the Twin Cities area will be able to participate. A number of airlines serve the MSP airport, including Southwest, Delta, Northwest, Sun Country, United, and more. See http://www.mspairport.com/airlines.aspx for more details.

More information will be forthcoming as planning progresses. Meanwhile, browse the SJU website, and begin making plans to attend!