March 4 – 8, 2014
"Catholics and Evangelicals in God's Mission – Together"
Ambrose University College and the Roman Catholic Diocese
Keynote Speakers:
Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP is Director of the Paulist Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations in Washington, DC. He did his graduate studies in theology at the Washington (D.C.) Theological Union and the University of Geneva. Ordained a Paulist in 1975, he served in campus ministry at the Ohio State University (Columbus) and at McGill University (Montreal, QC.), prior to directing the Montreal-based Canadian Centre for Ecumenism for 14 years and working in all ten provinces of Canada. He spearheaded the founding of Unitas in Montreal, an ecumenical center for spirituality and Christian meditation co-sponsored by eight different denominations.
Rev. Dr. Gordon T. Smith is President and Professor of Systematic and Spiritual Theology at Ambrose University College and Seminary, in Calgary, Alberta. Previously he served as Vice President and Dean of Regent College, Vancouver; more recently, he has been the President of reSource Leadership International. He is an ordained minister with The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and served with the Alliance as an international worker in the Philippines. He has been the senior pastor of two congregations and is the author of a number of publications, includingCalled to Be Saints: An Invitation to Christian Maturity (IVP, 2013) and Courage and Calling: Maximizing your God-given Potential, rev. (IVP, 2011).
Why this topic?
"Catholics and Evangelicals in God's Mission—Together" is an unprecedented opportunity to come together to talk about Christian unity and mission. Church unity is a global issue that matters: Jesus prayed in the closing hours of his life for the unity of his followers, and the church's vocation is to be a sign in our world of God's reconciling power. The truth is that Evangelicals and Catholics share much more in common than not. The events, talks, and opportunities of Global Impact Week 2014 invite us to rejoice in the gifts of God present in our Christian communities and affirm our shared mission.
Tuesday Chapel, March 4 – 11:15am
Dr. Gordon T. Smith: "ONE LORD, ONE FAITH—ONE MISSION, THE MISSION OF GOD"
With all the diversity between church traditions, it is vital that we affirm our common faith, in response to one Lord – Jesus, the Christ. From this affirmation two things follow: we resolve to learn from each other; we resolve to witness together, in word and deed, to the reign of Christ.
Chapel, March 6 – 11:15am
Fr. Tom Ryan: "THE SPIRITUAL GIFT EXCHANGE"
Some gifts from different traditions of Christian faith--Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic –will be lifted up in the spirit of "receptive ecumenism" with an eye towards an exchange of Spirit-given gifts for the growth and development of disciples in each tradition.
Thursday Evening March 6, 7PM Public Lecture
Fr. Tom Ryan: "CATHOLICS AND EVANGELICALS: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD, ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP"
An overview of each of our origins and theological tendencies: differences that can't be ignored, commonalities we share, and creative challenges we offer one another for our mutual enrichment.
Friday Evening March 7, 7PM Public Lecture (Location: St. Anthony's Church, 5340 4 St SW)
Dr. Gordon T. Smith: "VATICAN II – FIFTY YEARS LATER: AN EVANGELICAL RESPONSE"
Vatican II is one of the most significant church councils in the history of the church – significant for all Christians, not just Catholics; it opened up new learnings and an extraordinary opportunity for conversation between Christians of diverse traditions, including Evangelicals and Catholics. (Note: For students wishing to attend this lecture and "The 17th Avenue Post-Vatican II Friday Night Food-Fest," bus leaves Ambrose at 6:15 pm. See "Student Events" section for more details.)
Saturday Morning, March 8, 10AM Public Forum at Ambrose
Dr. Gordon Smith & Fr. Tom Ryan: "ECUMENISM AND EVANGELIZATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES"
This session will be an informal discussion of obstacles, opportunities, and unique challenges for Catholics and Evangelicals where they are called into mission together. For example: What can we learn from each other about Christian mission? What mistakes have we made and what have we learned from them? Why do many evangelicals continue to proselytize Catholics, especially in developing countries? Is the reverse a problem too? Who has a vision for what practical expressions and initiative for shared mission looks like? What is the vision? (Coffee and refreshments will be served at 9:30 am.)
Tuesday, March 4 – 6:30 pm
The Serving Together Event
Ambrose and Catholic university students will be serving together at The Centre of Hope in Calgary's East Village (420 9 Ave SE). The Centre of Hope provides life-changing social services and programmes every day, providing practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, and providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. Ambrose students: Please meet in the Sylvester Atrium at 6:30 pm. Contact: Tasha Klassen,tashaklassen@yahoo.ca
Thursday, March 6 – 2:30 – 4pm
Open Class: "HEALING OURSELVES, HEALING OUR WORLD"
Open to all students regardless of program, Fr. Tom Ryan will reflect on his Reconciliation and Unity study tour to Northern Ireland; Coventry England; Geneva, Switzerland; and Taize, France—all areas of our world where people are working for healing and reconciliation. Come and get a big-picture view of inspirational things happening in our world today that could fuel your own energy and vision. Location: Classroom A2210
Friday, March 7 – 6:15 pm
The 17th Avenue Post-Vatican II Friday Night Food-Fest"
Board the bus to go hear Dr. Smith's talk "An Evangelical Response to Vatican II" at St. Anthony's Church, followed by a downtown food-stop at Clive Burger and The Big Cheese Poutinerie. No cost for the first 48 students who register for this event. Bus leaves in front of Sylvester Atrium at 6:15 pm. Book your free ticket by emailing: giw2014@ambrose.edu
Presented by Ambrose University College and the Roman Catholic Diocese