This will be a weekend long event focusing on climate justice, its intersections with Celtic and Indigenous spiritual traditions, and the interplay of music, art and faith in this work.

JOHN BELL, world-renowned hymn writer and theologian, will lead singing workshops and speak to these issues.

Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, STAN MCKAY will present throughout on Indigenous justice themes and stewardship of creation.

The weekend culminates in a joint presentation of MASS FOR THE ENDANGERED by Sarah Kirkland Snider (TSP United Church Choir and Viva Singers Toronto, with full orchestra) and a Sunday morning worship service focused on Earth Day and Creation.

Our Sunday events include an ECO-FAIR showcasing the climate justice and ecological works of many organizations in our community-at-large.

25$ for attending the Mass or for full-weekend registration.

No barrier, cost free access available in limited quantities if needed. (Select free.)

John Bell is an ordained minister (Church of Scotland), lives in Glasgow and is a member of the Iona Community. He has been actively engaged in church music for over forty years as an animateur, composer and author. He has published numerous volumes of congregational songs, many of which have been translated into languages as diverse as Friese and Japanese. He has lectured and conducted seminars throughout the world on issues relating to music, liturgy, scripture and spirituality, and has been honoured by church and academic agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. He is arguably the most renowned hymn-writer of our time.

Stan McKay was born at Fisher River First Nation Reserve, a Cree community and attended Fisher River Indian Day School and the Birtle Indian Residential School. He went to the Manitoba Teachers College and the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba, being ordained to the United Church of Canada in 1971. Stan McKay was elected as Moderator of the United Church of Canada for 1992-94, the first Indigenous person to fill the role. He has worked as director of Spiritual Care at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and continues his work building cross-cultural relations and participating in dialogue which addresses injustice stemming from colonial history.

Saturday, April 22

9:30 AM – Registration, welcome

10:30 AM – Celtic Perspectives on the Care of Creation – John Bell

12 Noon – Lunch in the neighbourhood

1:30 PM – Indigenous Perspectives on the Care of Creation – Stan McKay

2:45 PM – Sing with the World – John Bell

4:30 PM – Supper in the neighbourhood

7 PM – Mass for the Endangered

8:30 PM – Close

Sunday, April 23

10:30 AM – Worship

12 Noon – Refreshments and Eco-Fair

1:45 – Weaving Together What We’ve Learned

3 PM – End of Event