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Biblical Faith in the Shadow of Empire October 1, 2005
Sylvia Keesmaat is adjunct professor at the Institute for Christian Studies. Prior to this she was professor of biblical studies at ICS from 1994-2004. Sylvia has specialized in the apostle Paul and New Testament interpretations of Israel's scriptures and has written extensively on contemporary biblical hermeneutics and social justice. She is the author of Paul and His Story: (Re)Interpreting the Exodus Tradition, and in 2004 co-authored (with Brian Walsh) Colossians Remixed: Subverting The Empire (IVP) . Order Colossians Remixed from the ICS Bookshop Schedule and Location
Workshops Subversive Art in the Shadow of the Empire
In this workshop we will look at works of art from the early church
which subverted the accepted forms of the Empire to visually retell the good
news. We will also look at works from the early Reformation as well as
contemporary works of art which continue in this subversive spirit.
Chris Cuthill is Art Chair at Redeemer University College
in Ancaster where he teaches Art History. He is a graduate of the Institute's
M.Phil.F. program (1999) and is a current doctoral student at ICS.
Imagine a World Without War
What would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and
self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war? Christian
Peacemaker Teams seeks to enlist the response of the whole church in
conscientious objection to war, and provides organizational support to persons
committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where
lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy. Find
out how "getting in the way" of injustice through direct nonviolent
intervention, public witness and reporting to the larger world community,
makes a practical contribution and stirs the imagination, of a world without
war.
Rebecca Johnson is the Administrative Co-ordinator for Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
Canada. She has been a CPT Peacemaker Corps Reservist since 2000 and has
served with CPT projects in Esgennoôpetitj and Hebron. From 2002-2004,
she was the Local Coordinator of the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical
Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).
Shadows and Light: Judges 19 as text of terror and cry for help
The rape and dismemberment of the woman of Judges 19 is a horrific act
of betrayal. But does the narrator, and thus Scripture itself, also betray
this woman to male violence? After looking at the Bible's sensitivity to
the gift of sexuality in the shadow of the empire, we shall explore how
this story may be read within the canon as a message of hope.
Nik Ansel is the ICS professor of theology. He previously taught at The King's
University College in Edmonton. He is frequently writes for popular
Christian publications including as a regular contributor to Third Way.
New Visions for Old Spaces: The Arts and Urban Renewal
In decaying cities across North America, arts organizations can lead the
way toward urban renewal. This workshop will talk about how artists can
promote social change. Lambert will tell about the Urban Institute for
Contemporary Arts (UICA) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded by artists in
1977, UICA has transformed a neglected building in a rundown neighborhood
into a hub of creative activity. The workshop will consider the potential
of such projects for cultural renewal, economic redevelopment, and
neighborhood partnership.
Lambert Zuidervaart is the ICS professor of philosophy. Prior to joining ICS's faculty, he
led the creation of UICA's award-winning contemporary arts center. He is
currently writing a book titled Art in Public: Politics, Economics, and a
Democratic Culture. His book on Artistic Truth was published last fall by
Cambridge University Press.
WrapAround
The provision of social services to the most vulnerable, particularly to
families with mental health issues, is prone to the destructive
tendencies of "empire". WrapAround is a methodology for building community-based
"circles of care" around families, youth and adults who struggle with
mental health issues. This workshop will describe WrapAround and contrast
it with the "empire" tendencies of some traditional service delivery. It
will focus on the nationally-renowned example of the WrapAround
initiative at Stoney Creek United Church, and on how your church community can
live out its faith by encircling those in need.
Rev. David Bish and Mark Vander Vennen have both had extensive experience with
WrapAround. David is a minister at Stoney Creek United Church. He is on the team for the Hamilton
WrapAround Initiative and Stoney Creek WrapAround, and currently serves on the
Board of the Hamilton Children's Aid Society. Mark is Executive Director
of Salem Christian Mental Health. He is a registered social worker and
an individual, couple and family therapist. He was among the first to
develop and practice WrapAround processes in Ontario. Salem is currently
developing and promoting faith-based WrapAround processes.
Restorative Justice
In the last several years, restorative justice has witnessed an
explosion of activity-and faith communities have often been at the forefront.
This workshop will describe a restorative justice process and its biblical
underpinnings. It will especially focus on the question, "wouldn't it be
something if churches acted as the hosts of the reconciliation processes
that happen in their local communities?" We will look at an innovative
two-year pilot project designed to stimulate the practice of restorative
justice under the Youth Criminal Justice Act by churches.
Rev. Stuart Schroeder and Mark Vander Vennen
have extensive experience with Restorative Justice processes. Stuart is
is a consultant with the Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and
Religious Care, an organization serving chaplains in Ontario. He is a pastor
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. He regularly trains
restorative justice facilitators throughout Ontario. Mark is Executive Director
of Salem Christian Mental Health. He is a registered social worker and
an individual, couple and family therapist. He is a trained restorative
justice facilitator.
Shining a Flashlight in the Shadows of Motown
Christians have been grappling with the impact of pop culture and
media since their inception, and many thoughtful responses have been
written and discussed. Ad nauseum. But what does a picture of
mobilized Christian artists actually look like? What impact are
they
having in their spheres of music, film and multi-media? This
workshop will explore specific trends currently exerting their force
upon the church and how Christian "culture commodity creators" are
attempting to respond to them.
Douglas Romanow is a Toronto-based record producer, composer and
recording engineer who operates Fire Escape Recording Studios. He
has produced, recorded and mixed over three hundred recording
projects
in Canada and the US. He also composes music for film and
television, documentaries and theatre productions. This year, he
has
taken the role of Artistic Director for the Nidus Festival, a music
and multi-media arts festival sponsored by the Canadian Council of
Churches. The festival will take place in Kitchener, Ontario in
August, 2006
ICS would like to thank the following sponsors
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