ICS Conferences: Calgary 2005 Workshops & Activity Sessions

Secular Media vs. Religious Pluralism
People of faith are living in the shadow of the Empire of Secularism. Religious rights are being over-ruled, and challenged by "human rights" and individual rights. Secularism is seen to be the worldview best suited to negotiate these competing rights...but in fact there are problems with secularism as a "neutral" worldview and the media is currently a major battlefield for how this conflict is being played out.
Richelle Wiseman is the Executive Director of the Centre for Faith and the Media. The Centre is a national non-profit organization based in Calgary, which works to improve the quality and quantity of religion and faith stories in Canadian media. She was Director of Communications for Canada's faith network, Vision TV

Truth and Reconciliation
How do we deal with a violent and conflict-ridden past? What does it mean when former enemies are thrust together in common economic, political and cultural pursuits? What role can churches play when they themselves have a questionable past? South Africa's political transformation in 1994 was a model of cooperation and compromise. It also attempted to create a "third way" between negating the past on the one hand and Nuremberg-style trials on the other. We will examine this process especially from the perspective of the churches' key role.
Stephen Martin is Assistant Professor of Theology at The King's University College. His work in South Africa involved the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concerning the role of faith communities under Apartheid. He is co-editor of Facing the Truth: South African Faith Communities and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998).

"Remember my Chains": Paul in a Canadian Prison?
Using the Supreme Court of Canada's recent decision in the same sex marriage reference case, this workshop will explore the impact of the Charter as the supreme law of Canada, the importance of the Court's ability to review parliamentary decisions, especially those that affect minorities and why a practicing "front line" lawyer sees both as a reason to be thankful for the "rule of law." This exploration will ground a roundtable discussion on the ways the Christian community can contribute to the legal system's ability to do justice.
Harry Van Harten has practiced law in Calgary for 17 years, primarily in the area of criminal defence. He tries to read lots of stuff not related to law and often falls asleep in the process. In his practice, he has a special interest in representing children and families, which forces him to be an advocate outside the courtroom.

Against the Stream: Calvinism and the Danger of Neo-Nazism
Why did devote Calvinists help create Afrikaner Nationalism? What is the connection between apartheid and the British Empire? Why do so many American Christians uncritically support George Bush and the War in Iraq? Is the solution a "Third Way" between Darwinian Capitalism and some form of Marxism? What do we mean be "Christian politics"? Can worldview analysis provide a solution to the problems facing the Church? These and similar questions will be addressed using examples drawn from the history of Germany and South Africa and contemporary society.
Irving Hexham is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary. His books include The Irony of Apartheid (1981) and New Religions as Global Cultures (1997) co-authored with his wife Professor Karla Poewe. Currently he is working on issues related to National Socialism.

Celebrating Who You Are: A Chromosome Workshop
A creative discovery of the self: create your own visual expression of the self by using the chromosome as a metaphor for identity. Discover the gifts and talents God has given you as well as recognizing inherited traits when you adapt and embellish your own felted "chromosome" using a felting needle and embroidery stitches, to reflect your own personality. Together we celebrate a unique community.
Artist Margot van Lindenberg is fascinated with the immense diversity in human life and cultural expressions. In her work she explores identity that is embedded in the human genome, making reference to various aspects of genetics from microscopic images to ethical issues of bio-engineering, through thread and cloth constructions, shadow projections and performance work.

Pick Up Your Brush: Christian Faith in the Visual Arts
How do you express your Christian faith in a visually oriented society? This workshop will provide, through dialogue and hands-on activities, an in-depth look at maintaining integrity in postmodern society as a Christian in the visual arts, as well as stimulate critical thinking and offer practical consideration of artistic expression.
Margot van Lindenberg

Developing Social Capital in Community: A Shared Responsibility Drawing on years of experience with both Church and social agencies, homeless advocate Colin Penman will discuss a unique partnership between the Families in Transition Program (operated through Aspen) and Enbridge Inc that melds corporate and social concern together.
Colin Penman is a founding member of the Calgary Homeless Foundation board of Directors and a member of the Community Action Committee. He is an advocate in the development of social capital in community that collaborates and cooperates in achieving mutual benefits to those less fortunate and identifies the Church as a key component in this collaboration.

Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice
Environmental issues and social responsibility are intricately linked. Yet a limited understanding of the inter-connectedness of the environment, poverty and injustice often compromises the desired objective of sustainability in environmental projects. This workshop will examine what a Christian perspective has to offer to this discussion.
Paul Carrick is the founder of CAUSE Canada, a not-for-profit charity that supports self-help projects in West Africa and Central America. Since its founding in 1984, CAUSE has partnered with the Canadian Government, the British Government, UNICEF, UNHCR and the World Food Program on various development activities and peace building initiatives in the above mentioned regions. Paul lives in Canmore, Alberta.

Rights, Responsibilities and Human Dignity
These days, the promotion of human rights and social justice seems to have fallen from the popular imagination. This workshop will look at what the Bible teaches about human rights, responsibilities and dignity.
Paul Carrick

Evening Activities

Celebratory Evening Featuring: Reception, Dinner, plus…

• Devotions and ICS Update by Harry Fernhout
• Corps Bara Dance Project performing Cleansing, Her Last Prayer and St. Francis Prayer
• Art Shown by local artists
• Closing by Sylvia Keesmaat