About Us

"The Wisdom Centre is the finest example of progressive ecumenical Christianity." -- Wayne

The Wisdom Centre inspires individuals and faith leaders to be catalysts in the renewal of spiritual practice. Our vision is based, in part, on what recent research describes as the "Practicing Congregation", mainstream parishes revitalized through worship, spirituality, and the intentional formation of a way of life.

The Wisdom Centre supports the "reclaiming of our ancient traditions" in new and innovative ways.

Upcoming events include:

Saving Paradise on Earth: Faith for the 21st Century ~ Rev. Rita Nakashima Brock PhD - Thursday, May 3 and Friday, May 4, 2012. Lakeview United Church more information...

Peter Rollins - November 16-18, 2012 .  We are very much looking forward to welcoming Peter to Calgary. more information...

Cynthia Bourgeault - April 22-26, 2013.  Cynthia Bourgeault will lead a Wisdom Workshop at the Sanctum Retreat in Caroline AB.  more information...

See our events page for more information on these and other events taking place.

Other Wisdom Centre events participants have enjoyed include:

  1. Barbara Brown Taylor – December 2-4th, 2011. Dr. Taylor gave an evening lecture on “Sacred Darkness” and an all day workshop on “Writing as Spiritual Practice.” During the workshop she invited participants to engage writing for the purposes of deepening the human spirit and noting how the Holy Spirit works.
  2. Appreciating God’s Gifts in Other Religious Faiths without Losing our Own June 9, 2011 Rev. Don Postema spoke about the divine gifts, opportunities and challenges of Inter-Faith engagement. Co-Sponsored with the Christian Reformed Chaplaincy at the University of Calgary, Advent Lutheran Church and  the Multi-Faith Chaplaincies at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University.
  3.  The Church in the Inventive Age – May 12, 2011 Doug Pagitt drew from his book of the same title outlining how North American Society has moved from the Agricultural Age, to the Industrial Age, to the Information Age, to the Inventive Age. Pagitt gave suggestions as to how the Church must respond to the reality and expectations of this new age. www.dougpagitt.com
  4. Blessings, Beauty and the Poetry of the Sacred May 6-8, 2011 Jewish poet, painter and liturgist Dr. Marcia Falk led this three-day event that is co-hosted with B’nai Tikvah Reformed Jewish congregation.  Falk drew from her own prayers and blessings as well as the sacred poetry of others to help us expand how we speak of and to the Divine. www.marciafalk.com
  5. Reading Scripture Through Other’s Eyes January 21 and 22, 2011 Trinity Institute Tele-Conference with  Walter Bruegemann, Mary Gordon, Teresa Okure, Gerald West and Steed Davidson.  www.trinitywallstreet.org
  6. The Church is Dead: Long Live the Church November 19-21, 2010.  Writer, editor and speaker Phyllis Tickle led us through a three day session about the Emerging Age, the Church in the Emerging Age and leadership in the Emergent Age. www.phyllistickle.com
  7. Following in the Footsteps of St. John of the Cross: Christian Insight Meditation Silence and Awareness Retreat (March  2010 and April 2011) This 9 day retreat taught the Buddhist practice of Vipassana, or insight meditation within the framework of Christian contemplative prayer found in Carmelite spirituality, especially in the life and writings of St. John of the Cross and the illuminating writings of Teresa of Avila.
  8. Building an Ethical Economy: Theology and the Marketplace (Jan. 29 - 30, 2010) Advocating for an ethical economy – one that works toward the biblical ideal of sufficiency for all and is resistant to exploitation – is a priority, especially for clergy and lay leaders. This two-day conference sponsored by the Wisdom Centre and the Trinity Institute, brought together leading theologians and economists to talk about the relationship between economics and Christian belief and action. www.trinitywallstreet.org
  9. The Sacred Art of Loving Kindness: An Inter-faith Exploration of Compassion - Rabbi Rami Shapiro (Nov. 20 - 22, 2009) Rabbi Shapiro drew on Jewish and Christian traditions, and from other faiths and traditions, to give people practical tools for living in the world. The conference included worship at B’nai Tikvah, an all day-workshop at Christ Church and Sunday morning worship at Christ Church. www.mac.com/rabbirami
  10. Radical Abundance: A Theology of Sustainability: A Tele-Conference with the Trinity Institute (Jan. 2009) Speakers Marjora Carter, Timothy Gorringe, David Korten, Néstor O. Míguez and Miriam MacGillis discussed how only in striving for sustainable relationships, rather than accumulating and consuming more for ourselves, can we discover true abundance. www.trinitywallstreet.org
  11. The Wisdom Jesus - Cynthia Bourgeault (Nov. 4, 2008) Bourgeault presented Jesus as a wisdom figure with a public lecture and all day workshop. She also presented specific spiritual practices such as centering prayer and chanting. www.contemplative.org/cynthia.html
  12. Evolutionary Faith - Diarmuid O’Murchu (May 2008) Diarmuid led a lecture on the evolution of faith, exploring how the story of evolution, - in terms of cosmos, earth, and humanity - unravels the benign mystery within which everything is held in being. www.diarmuid13.com
  13. Efaith: Engaging the multi-sensory world and the emerging Church - Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes (Apr. 17-19, 2008) This three-day conference began with Eric’s documentary film, Asphalt Jesus about his journey across North American spreading the good news about Progressive Christianity. Other conference activities included several workshops including one about liturgy, and a multi-sensory worship service. www.ericelnes.com
  14. Christianity in a Post Modern World - Don McLeod (Sept. 29, 2007) An all day workshop for church members and leaders about the changing world the church is called to minister in.
  15. The Wisdom Centre was launched with a public lecture (May 2007) by Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith. The evening was attended by 150 people coming from Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, United, Baptist, Alliance, and Unitarian congregations. www.dianabutlerbass.com
 
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