Emmanuel College strives to be a learning community where students become more deeply rooted in their own religious or spiritual traditions while engaging with 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.
If you are currently enrolled as a student, you will receive weekly info for our recurring events through the EC Bulletin newsletter.
Tuesdays – Buddhist Gathering
Tuesdays, 12:15 – 1 p.m.
A time for Buddhist spiritual practices led by a combination of MPS students in the Buddhist stream and Buddhists from various lineages. We gather in the EC Chapel/Multifaith Prayer Room.
Tuesdays – Christian Midday Prayer
Tuesdays, 1:30–1:50 p.m.
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 that may be new or different in a learning environment. We gather in the EC Chapel.
Wednesdays – Interfaith Gatherings
Wednesdays, 1–2 p.m.
Wednesdays are our main gathering time as a community. Spiritual Life gatherings take place in the EC Chapel (EM319) unless otherwise indicated.
2025 (Fall)
| Date | Theme / Occasion | Tradition | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 10 | Opening Gathering | Interreligious | Acting Principal Rev. Dr. Pam McCarroll |
| Sept. 17 | Renew Our Intentions | Muslim | Abier El-Barbary |
| Sept. 24 | TST Agape Service | Christian | Wycliffe College |
| Oct. 1 | Indigenous Healing Garden | Elder Eileen Antone, with Mayes Rihani | |
| Oct. 8 | Buddhist | Khenpo Kunga (Chaplain) | |
| Oct. 15 | Interfaith | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Oct. 22 | Christian / Gospel Choir | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Nov. 5 | Interfaith | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Nov. 12 | Buddhist | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Nov. 19 | Muslim | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Nov. 26 | Christian | Ministry Integration Seminar (Natalie) | |
| Dec. 3 | Interfaith | Spiritual Life Team |
2026 Schedule (Winter)
| Date | Theme / Occasion | Tradition | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 7 | Epiphany | Christian (Catholic) | University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir |
| Jan. 14 | Buddhist | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Jan. 21 | TST Christian Unity | Christian | Hosted by St. Augustine |
| Jan. 28 | DEAR Town Hall | ||
| Feb. 4 | Ministry Integration Seminar | Christian | Prof. Natalie Wigg-Stevenson |
| Feb. 11 | Interfaith | Spiritual Life Team | |
| Feb. 25 | Lunar New Year Celebration | Interfaith | In collaboration with CANAATS |
| March 4 | TST Gospel Choir | Christian | Prof. Darren Hamilton |
| March 11 | Muslim | Spiritual Life Team | |
| March 18 | Buddhist | Spiritual Life Team | |
| March 25 | Interfaith | Spiritual Life Team | |
| April 1 | Interfaith | Principal Kim-Cragg with the Spiritual Life Team |
Spiritual Life Team
Spiritual Life Team
Spiritual Life opportunities at Emmanuel College are supported by the Spiritual Life Team, who offer weekly spiritual life gatherings as part of a course overseen by a professor.
The Spiritual Life Team is a group of students who engage collaboratively in the planning, leadership, and evaluation of weekly Wednesday gatherings offering both tradition-specific and interfaith practices. Students earn course credit. Applications to this team are received each April.
Faculty Advisor to the Spiritual Life Team
Dr. Wing Yi Wong
Ablution Facilities and Muslim Prayer Space
In Sept. 2012 we opened the Ablution Facilities and Dedicated Muslim Prayer Space at Emmanuel College. The Muslim Prayer Space is available to all Muslim students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto. The Muslim Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto (MCUofT), whose office is just down the hall, often holds events in this space.
Other Spiritual Life Resources at U of T
Muslim Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto
Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Toronto
Ecumenical Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto
NAVI: Your U of T mental health way-finder