The Centre for Spirituality at Work
&
The Toronto School of Theology
SPIRITUALITY AT WORK:

RELEASING, NURTURING, AND CLAIMING THE SACRED

A Forum for laity, clergy, chaplains, and other professionals of organizations of all faiths.

Tuesday, November 13, 9:00 am to Thursday, 5:00 pm Nov 15, 2001

Link to the TST website


Thursday Keynote Speech: Michael Jones. The Courage to Lead: Following the Songline of the Heart.

Please note location change:
Toronto School of Theology, Toronto, 47 Queen's Park Crescent East at St. Joseph St., near Museum subway station.

Organized by the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto (www.tst.edu/ce) and the
Centre for Spirituality at Work ( www.SpiritualityAtWork.org.)



Spirituality is a basic and essential dimension in human beings. Now facing an unprecedented social, economic and ecological transformation, human beings feel the need to discover a deeper meaning to their lives and work, both at personal and global levels. An increasing number of people want to stop leaving their faith and values at the door and instead, bring their whole self to work: body, mind, heart and spirit. Leading management consultants tell us that allowing a broad range of spiritual expression increases employees' commitment to their organization, releases their creativity and increases productivity. And yet, many people have a difficult struggle with this in their work settings, especially in the current economic climate and with wide-ranging mid-life issues.

The worldwide movement of Spirituality in the Workplace has evolved mainly outside the framework of faith organizations. This groundbreaking November 2001 Forum is specifically designed for leaders and pioneers of all faith communities. The focus will be on helping equip religious professionals and lay leaders to initiate and respond to dialogue with congregation and workplace members, and to provide support for their spiritual health and workplace issues.

What happens when one comes to the workplace as a person of faith? What can people do when they feel their spirituality thwarted in contemporary society? How can clergy, chaplains and other leaders of religious and spiritual organizations counsel them? How have some organization leaders learned to harness this universal force? How can these lessons be applied to religious organizations themselves? How can a congregation get involved?

The Centre for Spirituality at Work is one of the leaders of a worldwide movement. It has organized two highly successful conferences in Toronto in 1998 and 1999. From the beginning, it recognized the great ethnic and religious diversity of our area, and included speakers and participants from many faith groups. Sherry Connolly said: "I am delighted that this important work is being extended to the faith communities, bringing spirituality and religion together. We have attracted outstanding speakers whose experience should be valuable to the Forum participants in a practical way. And the involvement of TST is a real plus."

The Toronto School of Theology is a federation of 7 theology colleges at the University of Toronto and four affiliated institutions. TST provides theological education for religious leaders and lay people across North America. Increasingly, it is extending its interfaith activities of education and dialogue. Rev. Dr. Ted Reeve, a religious social ethicist, Associate Director of TST, and part of the Forum organizers said: "I welcome this pioneering collaboration with the Centre for Spirituality at Work. It is part of the evolution of TST, bringing exciting new programs like this one to lay and professional leaders of all faith groups. We hope many will break new ground with us through their participation in this unique opportunity."

Thanks to our sponsors, Arborvitae, Business Depot, CIBC, Concept3 Group, Creative Voice Works, Leap Enterprises, Northern Spirit/Workplace Wisdom, Yamaha Pianos.

Program

Tuesday November 13

8:00 to 9:00 Registration

9:00 to 9:30 Welcome Sherry Connolly, Founding Director, Centre for Spirituality at Work, Rev. Dr. Ted Reeve, Director Continuing Education, Toronto School of Theology, M.C.’s Rabbi Shawn Zevit and Marie-Andrée Michaud, broadcaster, music by Michael Jones.

9:30 to 12:30 Spirituality at Work: What is it?

Jim Allen, EVP at CIBC on values & ethics, Canon Dr. Tim Elliott on vocation, Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Muslim Chaplain on religious diversity.

1:30 to 5:00 Spirituality at Work: Congregations, Groups & Organizations

Rev. Whitney Roberson and the Spirit at Work discussion groups in the Diocese of California (phone); the Very Rev. Allen Farabee and his Buffalo lawyers’ discussion group; Sherry Connolly and the Centre for Spirituality at Work; Rev. David Browning and his congregational work; Rev. John Flindall with community resource centres and correctional institutions.

Wednesday November 14

8:00 to 9:00 Registration

8:00 to 8:45 Marianne Karsh of Arborvitae, an organization dedicated to nurturing spirituality through nature, is offering an inspirational slide show set to music. 

9:00 to 12:30 Spirituality at Work: Chaplaincy, Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Care

Dr. Diane Bridges, Dir. of Religious & Spiritual Care, Trillium Health Centre; Bishop Dr. Diana Dale, Executive Director National Institute of Business & Industrial Chaplains from Houston (phone), Rev. Dr. Dana Fisher, coordinator of spiritual direction for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto; Ann Keating, pastoral consultant for employees of the Catholic Children's Aid Society; Pandit Suraj Persad, Coordinator, Hindu Campus Ministry;

1:30 to 5:00 Spirituality at Work: Ministry to and by Leaders

Janice Fioravanti organizational architect from Clarica; Brenda Nesbitt, Human Resources Consultant from CIBC; consultants Cheryl Nafziger-Leis and Brian Skerritt; Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.

7:00 to 9:00 Inspirational Arts Evening – By donation, please, for Inner Stage Theatre

Featuring Tim Elliott on jazz-piano with the music and reflections on the spirituality of Duke Ellington; international Bahá’í Wildfire Dance Group; songs and stories with Elizabeth Paddon; and Dances of Universal Peace. Audience participation. M.C.: Rev. Leslie Mezei, Universal Worship Service.

Thursday November 15

8:00 to 9:00 Registration

8:00 to 8:45 Diane Brown of Leap Enterprises is holding a labyrinth walking meditation workshop.

9:00 to 10:00 The Courage to Lead: Following the Songline of the Heart, Michael Jones, our KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Juno nominee for Best Instrumental Artist, Senior Fellow of Washington’s McGregor Burns Academy of Leadership, will focus on the personal journey which leads us to recognize the latent spark in our own heart, free up the intelligence of the imagination, and find the strengths and commitment that call each of us to lead. He accompanies his talk on the grand piano. "If you don’t play your music, who will?"

10:00 to 4:00 Open Space: Integration and Next Steps….

The Rev. Dr. Steve Hopkins, Program Director of Niagara Diocese, will facilitate an open space day for the convergence and emergence of issues, ideas, and plans to help participants apply their learning in practice in their own ministries and in collaborations with others.

4:00 to 5:00 Closing Ceremony and Multi-faith Worship.


Fees
:

$325 for 3 days $225 for 2 days, $125 for 1 day

For Centre for Spirituality at Work and T.S.T. communications list members, $275 for 3 days

Full-time students: $50 per day.

Lunches included for registrations paid by noon, November 7th.


Registration: Through TST: Registration form on www.tst.edu/ce e-mail:coned.tst@utoronto.ca

or phone 416-978-3814

Accommodations: Reduced U. of T. rate at Quality Hotel, 280 Bloor St. West.

416-968-0010, sarahquality@hotmail.ca.

For further information, contact: sherry@spiritualityatwork.org 416-482-9175

 

Link to the TST website


Centre for Spirituality at Work
Transforming the experience and outcomes of work
Last updated Nov 6/01