Wisdom Wednesdays return for Fall Term
Interfaith gatherings an opportunity to explore spiritual health and well-being
In 2020, Spiritual Care at UM launched the Wisdom Wednesdays series to extend the department’s interfaith gatherings in a virtual setting as we navigated the pandemic. This year, Wisdom Wednesdays are being reinvigorated and creating more opportunities for members of the UM community to engage in dialogue around aspects of spiritual health and well-being across a variety of faiths and worldviews.
While all individuals are driven by their own beliefs, values and framework of meaning, the world faces issues that impact us all at multiple levels.
“There is power in naming what we are collectively experiencing,” says Edgar French, the Spiritual Care Coordinator. “But it comes with the hope that we could leave these gatherings encouraged to apply what we’ve learned to our own personal lives.”
Spiritual Care has invited representatives of various traditions and worldviews to address three overarching themes in panel discussions: Nature and Climate Action, Race Relations and Anti-Racism Actions, and Hope. 20 guests, from within and beyond the UM community, will help attendees gain a better understanding and guidance in these subtopics from the traditions and backgrounds that make up our diverse community.
The past year and a half have been eye-opening for everyone in multiple ways. From the pandemic to news surrounding racism to environmental catastrophes, the sociopolitical climate has seen an increase in difficulties and tension amongst the global community.
French explains: “We are highly interconnected. To go about on our own, addressing and attempting to solve problems that affect us all is problematic. The more open we are to hearing and listening to each other, the greater the potential for finding common ground and working co-operatively to resolve our challenges.”
The series will be launched with the first of six sessions on October 6 at 11:30 a.m. on Zoom followed by the following dates: October 20, November 3, 17, December 1 and 8. Contact spiritualcare [at] umanitoba [dot] ca to register for the event or find more information.