about us
Our Group
Greg Kennedy, John Buttars, Barbara Susan Booth, Lucy Reid, John Lawson.
Our Mission/Purpose
An informal group of people,
of differing religious and spiritual communities and outlooks,
which, in the absence of a religious studies department at the University of Guelph,
work collaboratively with the wider Guelph community,
to bring to the city or identify within it,
thoughtful leaders who would help
foster conversations that matter,
discussions that might not otherwise happen,
deepening understanding about topics of shared concern,
trusting that learning leads change
and facilitates better spiritual, social and environmental health for all.
Our History
Over the years we have hosted the following speakers.
2025 March Knitting Pilgrim (Kirk Dunn) at Harcourt United Church
2024 November Michael W. Higgins with Ignatius Jesuit Centre
2024 May Cynthia Bourgeault
2024 April John Dear with All Saint Lutheran-Anglican Church
2024 March Loren Wilkinson with Ignatius Jesuit Centre
2023 November Cheri DiNovo with Ecumenical Campus Ministry
2023 May Michael W. Higgins
2016 November John Philip Newell “The Rebirthing of God: Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2015 May Joanna Macy “Spiritual Responses to the Great Unravelling “ with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2014 November Front Runner (Movie) with Laura Robinson
2014 February John Buttars “Seeking to Live Faithfully in a Time of Religious Upheaval” With Sacred Wisdom Centre
2013 November John Buttars “Grief and the Rapidly Shifting Religious and Spiritual Lanscape of Our Time” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2013 Anne Hillman “ An Unbroken Intimacy with Life” with The Elderberry Connection and Sacred Wisdom Centre
2013 April Bill Blakie
2013 May John Philip Newell “A New Harmony : The Spirit, The Earth and the Human Soul “ with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2012 April Dr. Izzeldin Abueliaish “I Shall not Hate” The Gaza Doctor with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2012 March Anne Kathleen McLaughlin “Maud of Cavendish” one woman play with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2012 March Anne Kathleen McLaughlin “The Mystic Journey: New and Ancient Pathways towards Radiance” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2012 February Andrew Harvey “On mystic Father Bede Griffiths” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2012 January Miriam MacGillis “Embracing the Earth” with Ignatius Jesuit Centre and Sacred Wisdom Centre
2011 October Mary Evelyn Tucker “Journey of the Universe” with Ignatius Jesuit Centre and Sacred Wisdom Centre
2011 July Sister Alexandra Kovats “Dancing with The Cosmos: Prayer and the new Cosmology” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2011 May Joanna Macy and David Darling (Rilke Poetry translated by Joanna accompanied by David on Cello). With Sacred Wisdom Centre
2011 September Andrew Harvey and Marianne Williamson “Love in Action” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2011 March Sister Anne Kathleen McLaughlin “Julian of Norwich and the Mystic Life” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2010 May Bruce Chilton and Neil Douglas –Klotz “The Spirituality of the Historical Jesus” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2010 April Stephen Jenkinson “Griefwalker” NFB film and presentatiom with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2010 March Karen Kurtz “The Stations of the Cross:The Way to Wholeness’” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2009 June Joanna Macy “The Essential Adventure of our Time:The Great Turning” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2009 April Toni Robinson with Harcourt United Church
2009 March 13 Matthew Fox “The Reinvention of Work” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2009 March 15 Matthew Fox “The Hidden Spirituality of Men” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2009 December Paul Benedetti “Exploring your Dreams” with Sacred Wisdom Centre
2008 May 28-29 John Bell
2008 May Thomas Homer-Dixon
2008 April Diarmid O’Murchu with Elderberry Conference
2008 April Amy-Jill Levine with Five Oaks
2008 February Mary-Jo Leddy
2007 November Earnie Reghr
2006 November John Dear
2006 January Amy-Jill Levine with Five Oaks
2005 September John Bell with Five Oaks
2004 November John Spong with Five Oaks
2004 October Sallie McFague
2003 September John Bell with Five Oaks
2002 September Ancient Words, Modern Life (Lucy Reid, Tarcia Gerwing, Bill Klassen, Paul Hansen, Stephen Scharper)
2001 October John Spong with Five Oaks
2000 May Letty Russell
2000 April Rabbi Elyse Goldstein
1997 September 19-20 Marcus Borg (and Bill Phipps by accidental good fortune)