KnoxCentre

We are told we live in a secular age. This is generally taken to mean that religion should play a minimal role in public life - or no role at all. But given increasing cultural and religious diversity, is this how we should understand secularism? I will attempt to show that secularism, properly understood, actually encourages participation from religious and non-religious persons alike in the public sphere. I will argue for a robust religion-inclusive notion of secularism that respects liberal democratic values on the one hand, and religious convictions on the other.

In this session we will entertain questions such as:

• What is the importance of offering one's religious convictions in public discussion?
• What should the boundaries to freedom of religion be?
• Should religious organizations receive public financial support?

Justin Jalea is an intern with the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership. He completed his MA in Philosophy at the University of Alberta. His thesis concerned the role of intuitions in philosophical methodology, which has many implications for moral thinking. Mr. Jalea earned his BA (Hons.) in Philosophy at the University of Toronto. Justin was a Teaching Assistant for Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Values, and the Philosophy of St. Augustine, among others, while at the University of Alberta. He has received numerous awards including the Canadian Millennium Scholarship, the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award and the W. B. Dunphy Medal, in recognition of his leadership capabilities, service to the university and wider community, and academic achievement. Justin researches on issues related to religion and the public sphere. An accomplished singer, Justin sings professionally with such groups as Pro Coro Canada and Spiritus Chamber Choir.

Dear Friends of Knox Centre,

The 2010 fall season is upon us and we've finalized our program! See below for program information, and click the titles for more informations. Click here to visit our www.knoxcentre.ca site, or click here to download our brochure.

In addition to attending our programs, there are other ways to support our ministry. Consider visiting our online store by clicking here. We receive a percentage of sales on our Amazon.ca site. Even if you're planning on buying something else from Amazon that isn't listed in our site, visit our store anyway, follow the link to Amazon and make you're purchases there--we still get a percentage!

Please consider directly donating to our ministry by either writing us a cheque, clicking the direct link here or visiting www.knoxcentre.ca and clicking "donate via paypal" on the right hand sidebar.

Click here for registration options, or email info@knoxcentre.ca for more information.

Sincerely,
The Knox Centre Committee at Knox United Church

“Beginnings of Judaism” DVD series with Professor Isaiah M. Gafni of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem
Wednesday DVD and Discussion series
Sept 8, 22, Oct 13, 27, Nov 10, 24 2010 7-9pm
Free

The focus of the videos will be on the period between the destruc-tion of the First Temple (586 BCE) and the destruction of the Sec-ond Temple in 70 CE. Part One of the series will provide an histori-cal introduction and will cover the completion and canonization of the Hebrew Bible. The second part will examine the vitality of reli-gious expression in relation to the political and social history of the Jewish people and will look at the diversity of opinions within "Judaism" or "Judaisms" of the time.

Facilitator: Ray Huene

The insights of best-selling author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle have been transformative for a growing number of people around the world. His best known books are The Power of NOW: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, and A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose. You are invited to join the MeetUp Group and meet with new friends for a Tolle DVD presentation, discussion, refreshments and meditation.

Light refreshments are available. We have changed the format slightly. We will begin by listening to a recorded lecture for 15 or 20 minutes. This is followed by two rounds of dialogue in a "talking circle" format. The first time around the circle participants are encouraged to give their own reflections without addressing one another's comments. In the second round, participants may engage what another participant has said or expand on what they said earlier. This will be followed by free discussion for as long as time permits. Following a brief break, we reconvene in a nearby room sitting in a circle and share a silent meditation for 20 to 30 minutes. Participants then take their leave in silence. Tolle recommends an entirely silent meeting. The compromise we have reached is to observe silence following the break. Participants who want to socialize are invited to do so at a nearby Tim Horton's following the Meetup.

Sign up online only, times at www.etolle.meetup.com. Meeting 7 – 8:30pm starting January 4th, meets two Mondays each month.

Guided by: Tim Nethercott, University of Calgary Chaplain. Drew Strickland, Knox United Church

Image courtesy "~C4Chaos" with a CC license.

The Forum on Ecological Spirituality and Evolutionary Cosmology Tuesday DVD Discussion series
$20 each or $75 for all four

"The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects." -Thomas Berry

There is an emerging conjunction of scientists, activists and faith groups on issues concerning the Earth Community. The idea of an Earth Community, looking at the entire planet as an integral, living and evolving system, is gaining acceptance throughout the realms of religion, education/science and even politics and economics. The late author Thomas Berry, cultural historian, eco-theologian and self-proclaimed "geologian", has argued that this new awareness "changes everything". From human-centred cultures an Earth-centred global culture is being born. We live in the midst of this awakening to a new way of being in the Universe - it's an exciting time! Knox Centre's winter program includes a three-part multi-session series titled "the Forum on Ecological Spirituality and Evolutionary Cosmology.

More about the Forum here.

Dirt! The Movie
September 16, 2010 6:45pm

Dirt! takes a humourous and substantial look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will later turn to. Come and learn about our planet’s most humble and vital resource, and the threats it faces through industry, climate change and war. This film brings to life the environmental , eco-nomic, social and political impact

Leadership: Joel LaForest

Ecological Spirituality & Evolutionary Remembering - with Teresa Chilkowich
Monday Discussion series

Facilitator Teresa Chilkowich explores the importance of Evolution-ary Remembering as an integral aspect of Ecological Spirituality. Drawing upon the work of eco-philosopher Dr. Joanna Macy and her colleagues, Teresa will facilitate forum discussions and experi-ential activities based on the radical act of GRATITUDE, which en-ables us to celebrate all life on our earthly home and appreciate the gifts of ALL species and beings of the past, present, and future.

Healing the World through Gratitude & Grief: How Gratitude For All Species & Mourning Lost Species Empowers Us To Help Heal The World
September 27, 2010 7-9pm

Mindful Living and the Uncertainty of Death
October 4, 2010 7-9pm

Cultivating Connections for “The Great Turning”: Living our Lives as though We are the Earth Healing Herself (exploration of Deep Ecol-ogy/Deep Time)
October 18, 2010 7-9pm

Tree of Life Imagery: Using Our Creativity and Imagination for the Healing of Our World
October 25, 2010 7-9pm

$15 each or $40 for all four

Dreamthinkbedo Thursday Night Discussion series
September 30 to November 25, 2010 6-8pm

Explore your spirituality with people as open minded as you! Enjoy a potluck supper with new friends, DVD, Q&A, Music
Dream: Faith as journey, Creation stories, Reconciliation, Jesus, Risk
Think: Thinking Theologically, Taking Bible seriously, Evil and suffering, Violence, Rapture and revelation
Be: A kingdom without walls, God’s vision, Prayer, Creativity, Mystery
Do: Incarnation, Compassion, Politics, Passion, Resurrection

Facilitator: Drew Strickland $20

Thursday Morning Community of Friends, “Uppity Women of the Bible” DVD discussion series
by Prof. Lisa Wolfe
Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 18, 25, 2010 10-11:30am

Get ready to meet three amazing women of beauty and grace.
Ruth: What really happened on the threshing room floor leads us into themes of poverty and seduction, bitterness, loyalty and courage.
Esther: Lavish banquets, extreme beauty treatments and dangerous liaisons are all part of Queen Esther’s fascinating world of power, cor-ruption, violence and courage.
Judith: A woman who takes things into her own hands – including the head of a warrior chief – while dealing with warfare, lust, espionage and intrigue.
The Song of Songs: Re-reading and re-imagining this mysterious, beautiful and alluring love poem of Hebrew scripture.

Facilitator: Drew Strickland $20

A Celebration Of All Souls – An Interfaith Requiem for the Species
Monday November 1st, 2010 at 7:00 PM

The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives.  Let us gather in community to celebrate the gifts that all beings offer through their presence on this amazing planet we call home – join us for A Celebration of All Souls! 

Our hearts and minds are telling us that the loss of species and critical habitats is a crisis of extreme importance and that we must do something to make things right on behalf of our sister and brother species. To honour the species we have lost join us for An Interfaith Requiem for the Species.

Traditionally, a Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the Dead is  celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons.  Join us Monday November1st, on the eve of All Souls Day, for a Requiem honouring the souls of the species lost forever and the ones we might soon lose due to human carelessness, selfishness or ignorance.

“The goal is to reframe our pain for the world as evidence of our interconnectedness in the web of life, and hence of our power to take part in its healing.” – Joanna Macy

Suggested donation of $20-$40