Emmanuel College strives to be a learning community where students become more deeply rooted in their own religious or spiritual traditions while engaging the beliefs and practices of people of other traditions. To that end, there are a variety of tradition-specific and interfaith spiritual life opportunities for students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate in.
For the fall semester of 2020, all of these events will be happening remotely via Zoom. If you are currently enrolled as a student, you will receive secure links to these events through the weekly EC@Home newsletter.
If you are not a current student, please fill out our spiritual life gatherings sign-up form to regularly receive the links to our gatherings.
You can also email Sam Cavanagh, the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager, for more information about our programming.
MONDAYS – Buddhist Rituals and Meditative Practices
Mondays, 3:15–4:15 p.m. EDT
A one-hour time for Buddhist spiritual practices led by ordained Buddhist’s from various lineages. For the Fall term, leadership will rotate between: ani. J., Vajrayana nun; Roshi Henderson of the Toronto Zen Centre; Joanne Yuasa, a minister in the Shin Buddhist tradition; and Ven. Zinghui, from the Ching Kwok Buddhist Temple.
TUESDAYS – Christian Midday Prayer
Tuesdays 1:30–1:45 p.m. EDT
A simple service of midday prayer, based on the liturgical tradition of Daily Prayer, and rooted in the contemplative traditions of the Daily Office. These services include prayer, music, scripture, silence and reflection. While these services are intended to offer participants a time of pause for reflection and prayer, connection and worship, they are also an opportunity for those so interested to exercise creativity and employ approaches which may be new or different in a safe environment.
Two Models for Midday Prayer
Below are two models or suggested orders of service for Christian Midday Prayer, adapted from sources and traditions for the Emmanuel College context. Each model includes references for more information, should you wish to follow up.
It is our hope that the experience of these two basic models of Midday Prayer will not only enrich our worship life and deepen our spiritual formation in theological education, but also serve as a resource for our various ministries. As such, they are not intended to be proscriptive but invitational, allowing both for regular use and the deepening practice that comes from experiencing the wisdom of the best of liturgical traditions, while inviting creative adaptations and artful liturgical improvisations.
Daily Prayer
This model is rooted in rich liturgical traditions of the Daily Office and the monastic tradition. The outline provided below is based upon the resources of Voices United (pp. 906ff) and Celebrate God’s Presence (pp. 724ff). It offers a simple structure that can be adapted to suit the liturgical season, scripture, theme or concern of the day, while also providing the structural building blocks for creative adaptations. It will not be possible to use all of the elements presented here within a brief 15-minute service. For example, while there are three opportunities for a Hymn or Song, two will be sufficient; you should choose one of the first two locations of an Opening Hymn, along with a Closing Hymn. Remember also to plan intentionally for the use of silence throughout. While 15 minutes is short, it need not feel rushed if well planned and calmly led.
Apostolic Greeting and/or Scripture Sentence(s)
[Words of Welcome]
Opening Hymn/Song
Opening Prayer
[Opening Hymn/Song – if not earlier]
Scripture reading (s)
[a sung or responsive psalm can be used to replace the first reading]
[Silence and/or symbolic act of response]
Prayers of the People/Thanksgiving and Intercession
[Prayer of Jesus/Lord’s Prayer]
Hymn/Song
Blessing
Peace
Taizé Prayer
Taizé Prayer has its origins in the Taizé Community in France, founded in 1940 as a ministry of prayerful hospitality and reconciliation with refugees fleeing German-occupied France. It employs simple yet powerful prayers and meditative song, chant and silence. An abbreviated form of this style of worship is suggested below. For our purposes, at least five repetitions of the songs/chants will work well to deepen the contemplative experience of prayer. Usually only a few brief verses of scripture are read, as a focus for silent contemplation. Verbal announcements and spoken leadership is kept to a minimum. In addition, the set-up of the worship space is important – the use of icons/images/art and candles are helpful common. A resource for music and planning is the booklet Songs and Prayers from Taizé, found in the Vestry. Other Taizé songs can also be found in Voices United and More Voices. For further ideas and/or support, consult with the Director of Chapel and Director of Music. For more information on the Taizé Community, including digital versions of all the songs, see: http://www.taize.fr/en
[gathering in silence]
Gathering Song
Silence [brief]
Scripture [only a few verses]
Silence [slightly longer than before]
Prayers with Sung Response [brief thanksgivings and/or petitions]
Song
Silence [longer than before]
Song for Going Forth
Peace [or Going Forth in silence]
Tips for Your First Time Leading a Service of Midday Prayer
The Spiritual Life Team and Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager are your resources. If it is your first time, meet with a member of the Team the week before to discuss service outlines, including choices of prayers, themes, music, etc.
Normally, it is best to start with the lectionary/scripture readings for worship planning. What texts, scriptural themes or metaphors do you respond to most in the readings? What speaks to our context, time or concerns? Bring your own gifts, skills and passion to the creative process of interaction with both text and context.
Consult with the appointed musician for the day to seek their expertise in selecting appropriate music. Musical selections should be in place at least 48 hours before the service to allow musicians to rehearse and/or prepare.
Time the whole service ahead of time. Read the prayers and scripture with a stopwatch – 15 minutes isn’t long, and it is important to respect the participation of all who come to worship in the midst of their day, on their way to afternoon classes throughout campus.
Remember the room. Ensure that it is prepared well before worship begins, in order to create a space of calm, conducive to prayer. Consider the use of candles, liturgical colours, symbols, etc., to engage all the sense in worship. The supplies in the Vestry are available to help you prepare the space.
Pray. Relax. Commend your work to the purposes and guidance of God. Do your best, but remember that worship, like the rest of life, isn’t perfect. Thankfully, the Spirit can make of even our most humble offerings a rich blessing.
Enjoy! It is our privilege and delight to be able to worship together.
See also the “checklist” below.
A Checklist for Midday Prayer Services
___ Choose a date and sign up for leadership
___ Read scriptures and decide which will be used at the service
___ Draft an outline for the service, using one of the models provided, or another,
remembering that Chapel services should be no more than 15 minutes in length
___ Write prayers, or choose them from resources such as Voices United, Celebrate God’s Presence, Gathering or other collections available in the library
___ Based on your readings, prayers and/or theme, consult with the designated musician for the day to choose music
___ Decide on the arrangement of the Chapel, and what furnishings (tables, candles,
cross, draping) you might use
___ Consult with a member of the Spiritual Life Team regarding the final draft of the service at least 48 hours before the service is to take place
___ Rehearse the service in the Chapel, with those who are giving leadership.
ON THE DAY:
___ Set up the Chapel, and/or arrange for assistance from members of the Worship Team
___ at 1:25 ring the Chapel Bell (found in the storage room) on all floors
___ 1:30 service begins
___ 1:45 service ends. Tidy the chapel, return all furnishings and books to their places and
extinguish candles
___ Have a great day, renewed by our common worship of God and knowing you
made an important contribution to our community life!
___ Communicate or meet with the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager for reflection, feedback and evaluation on the experience of worship leadership
WEDNESDAYS – Chapel
Wednesdays, 1:30–3 p.m. EDT
Most Wednesdays, the whole community is invited to a service of Christian worship, which frequently includes the celebration of the Sacrament of Communion. Two to three times per semester, Wednesday gatherings are inter-religious in nature.
Word and Table
Wednesday worship normally (but not always) takes the form of a service of Word and Table – i.e., including the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. While our norm is Eucharistic, reflecting ecumenical foundations of Christian public worship, worship planners are free to invoke other liturgical models and traditions in relation to the relevant texts, concerns and guests. In addition, other rituals (e.g., footwashing, prayers for healing, other symbolic actions, etc.) may be appropriate to the occasion. An Emmanuel College Lectionary (an optional list of daily scripture readings) provides texts of scripture to guide our planning.
Presiding at Communion
When planning services including communion, planners will need to invite an ordained faculty person or Advanced Degree student, or another ordained or appropriately licensed person, to join the planning team and preside at table. Within the United Church, general practice is to ensure that an ordained or appropriately licensed person is visible and audible at the table. It is also possible to invite co-presiders (including laypersons and students) to give leadership at table, which can provide students with the opportunity to develop hands-on skills in presiding. In addition, ordained persons from traditions other than the United Church are welcome to preside. Be sure to check with the Director of Chapel or Coordinators for any questions related to Eucharistic presidency.
Diversity
Although many students at Emmanuel are associated with The United Church of Canada, there are other Christian denominations and religious traditions represented within our community. Even within the United Church there is a wide theological spectrum spanning a diversity of worship styles and liturgical practices. Such diversity can offer a rich range of inclusive approaches to worship and/or communion. We welcome such diversity as we seek to engage our own and other traditions at their best, enriching the breadth and depth of our liturgical life.
Music Resources
More Voices and Voices United are our primary sources for shared music. The presence of our Master of Sacred Music program means we are blessed with the presence of many gifted musicians in our midst. The Director of Music is available to offer suggestions on music choices and may be consulted on all worship plans, even if his leadership is not required. The appointed musician for the day needs to be an integral part of all worship planning. While Celebrate God’s Presence is a primary United Church liturgical resource for the United Church, and the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager can direct planners to appropriate material therein, other resources are also welcomed and encouraged.
Chapel Setup
The space for Wednesday services of Word and Table can be arranged in a variety of ways. The chapel is often with a semi-circle of chairs facing the north windows, the communion table in front of the windows, the lectern with bible to the east, the baptismal font and paschal candle to the west, and the projection screen in the north-east corner. Greeters can welcome people and offer hymnbooks and/or orders of service as they enter. Alternatively, a circle of chairs around a central Table, or rows of chairs facing the table on the east platform, are also possible. Whichever the arrangement, intentional worship planning and consultation with the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager and the Spiritual Life Team is important.
Paperless Worship
We try, as much as is practical, to reduce our reliance on unnecessary paper in worship, using hymnals where possible and projection where appropriate. PowerPoint templates of our “house style” are in the as we continue to both model and experiment with technologies and other art forms in worship.
An Outline for WORD & TABLE at Emmanuel College
GATHERING
Welcome & Announcements
Territorial Acknowledgement
Preparation (Silence and/or instrumental and/or sung)
Gathering/Opening Prayer
Hymn
WORD
Scripture Readings, including one or all of:
Old Testament
Psalm (responsive or sung)
Epistle
Gospel
Sermon
Silent Reflection
Prayers of the People (if not incorporated into The Great Thanksgiving)
TABLE
Invitation & Peace
Presentation Hymn
Communion
The Great Thanksgiving (including spoken or sung responses)
Music during Communion
Prayer after Communion
GOING FORTH
Hymn
Blessing & Sending Forth
Postlude/Music for Going Forth
THURSDAYS – Contemplative Community Practices
Thursdays, 1:30–2 p.m. EDT
A time to gather from across religious/spiritual traditions to share in contemplative practices, broadly understood. These practices include religious/spiritually specific and tradition-based methods, but can also comprise ecumenical, spiritualist and ‘secular’ ones. Contemplative practices can encourage a sense of open-heartedness, joy, equanimity, resilience, compassion for self and others, and feelings of rootedness, communion and connection. Practices include (but are not limited to): stillness practices (silent meditation, Centering Prayer), mindful movement practices (yoga, liturgical dance, walking meditation), sacred communal reading practices (Lectio Divina), contemplative music (chanting), and contemplative artistic practices (sacred art appreciation, mandalas, iconography).
Tips for your first time leading Thursday gatherings
The Spiritual Life Team and Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager are your resources.
Typically, it is best to lead a practice in which you regularly and/or faithfully engage. Since this time will look different each week, be sure to communicate with the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager about your plan two weeks in advance of the gathering, in order that information about the practice you will lead the community in can be broadly shared. Time the whole service ahead of time-- 30 minutes is not long.
Thoughtfully arrange the space, using liturgical objects and supplies located in the Vestry, to suit the specific needs of the practice you are sharing.
Consider offering a few words of explanation at the beginning of the gathering, in order to be able to effectively host all who gather. Inform all who are gathered about the flow of the practice at the outset. Leave room for clarifying questions, should there be any.
Pray and/or center yourself before leading. Relax. Commend your work to the values which you are grounded in by your faith. Do your best, but remember that leading a community in contemplation, like the rest of life, isn’t perfect. And yet, any and all opportunities for contemplation in community is a gift to the community. Enjoy! It is our privilege and delight to be able to find connection together.
Emmanuel College Chapel Lectionary Autumn 2020
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Tuesday September 15 |
Wednesday September 16 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost |
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Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 16:1-21; 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
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Interfaith Welcoming Service Leaders: Michelle Voss Roberts, Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo, Sam Cavanagh
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Tuesday September 22 |
Wednesday September 23 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost |
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Psalm 106:1-12;
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Christian Service Exodus 17:1-7 Preacher: HyeRan Kim-Cragg
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Tuesday September 29 |
Wednesday September 30 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost |
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Psalm 42;
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Christian Service Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Preachers: Cindy Bourgeois and Christine Smaller
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Tuesday October 6 |
Wednesday October 7 |
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Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:12-18;
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TST AGAPE at Trinity |
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Tuesday October 13 |
Wednesday October 14 |
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Psalm 96:1-9;
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Community Lunch and ECSS Forum
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Tuesday October 20 |
Wednesday October 21 Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost |
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Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:44-47;
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Christian Service of Word and Virtual Table Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Preachers: Lauren Hodgson and Sarah Chapman
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October 26 – 30: Reading Week – NO SERVICES |
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Tuesday November 3 |
Wednesday November 4 |
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Psalm 78:1-7;
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Community Lunch and Colloquium
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Tuesday November 10 |
Wednesday November 11 Remembrance Day, Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost |
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Psalm 63;
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Christian Service Preacher: Jess Swance and Evan Smith
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Tuesday November 17 |
Wednesday November 18 |
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Psalm 100;
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Interfaith Poetry Gathering: Alf Dumont, Konul Gorbanova, Shawn Houston |
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Tuesday November 24 |
Wednesday November 25 First Sunday of Advent |
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Psalm 117;
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Christian Service Preacher: Embodiment Theology Class (Natalie Wigg-Stevenson)
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Tuesday December 1 |
Wednesday December 2 Second Sunday of Advent |
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Psalm 79;
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CAFÉ NOEL |
Spiritual Life Team
Spiritual Life opportunities at Emmanuel College are coordinated by the Spiritual and Community Life Program Manager, Dr. Samantha Cavanagh, in collaboration with the Spiritual Life Team and Faculty Advisors to the Team.
The Spiritual Life Team is made up of a group of students who are selected each Spring to engage in collaborative oversight, planning, leadership and evaluation of spiritual practices and other occasional events and services at the College. As a part of their participation in this Team, students earn course credit. Applications to this Team are received each April.
Spiritual Life Team 2020-2021
Karen Chandler
Marc Colbourne
Laura Gallagher-Doucette
Jim Harbell
Sadaf Jamal
Krista Moore
Rose Mina Munjee
Faris Nimry
Joanne Yuasa Sensei
Faculty Advisors to the 2020-2021 Spiritual Life Team
Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg, Timothy Eaton Memorial Associate Professor of Preaching
Dr. Nazila Isgandarova, Assistant Professor in Islamic Spiritual Care
Dr. Henry Shiu, Assistant Professor of the Shi Wu De Professorship in Chinese Buddhist Studies