Inter-Religious Studies at Vancouver School of Theology
6015 Walter Gage Road V6T 1Z1 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Join VST's Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan and a global circle of spiritual leaders this Tuesday, August 11th online for the Global Interfaith Prayer for Healing. Free of charge. Registration link below. Open to seekers of all faiths and traditions. Interactive engagement with inspiring spiritual leaders from diverse traditions spanning the globe.... Presenters for Tuesday, August 11th: Swami Svatmavidyananda, Rev. Phumzile Stofile, Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan, Dr. Ed Bastian, Suzanne Kay Register Today: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg

Blessings for a meaningful Eid al Adha to all our friends who celebrate!

What causes violent othering? Can spiritual practices of listening, contemplation, peacemaking, and mindfulness make a difference? Some authors in this anthology *Encountering the Other* edited by Laura Duhan-Kaplan & Harry O. Maier, say YES.

We enjoyed a great and very full first day in the course "Encountering Other Religions" with Professor Alan Brill at the Vancouver School of Theology. We discussed the impact of Nostra Aetate, the 1965 Catholic statement on Other Religions; the trial of Catholic theologian Peter Phan for his 2004 book "Being Religious Inter-Religiously"; basic concepts of inclusive, exclusive, and pluralistic approaches to inter-religious dialogue; and basics of Jewish theology of other religions.

2020 Fall update from Vancouver School of Theology

People of every faith! Motivated to work for Reconciliation by Canada's #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay? Here's a great resource for spiritual communities featuring Cree, Squamish, Jewish, Catholic, Sikh, Anglican, Buddhist, UCC, Hindu, Muslim, Bahai voices

Spiritual care is relevant to anyone who accesses health care! Dr. Syed Nasir Zaidi speaks regularly at the Vancouver School of Theology. If you can attend, you will learn a lot!

Re-upping this excellent description of British Columbia's diverse religious landscape, written by Douglas Todd in 2013.

"A pandemic shows us how biologically connected we are. What happens to the least of us happens to all of us." -- Laura Duhan-Kaplan

Congratulations to Dorali Harrison and Samuel Andri -- winners of the Inter-Religious Studies Essay contest at the Vancouver School of Theology. The award is given annually to the graduate student who wrote the most outstanding paper presented at the Inter-Religious Studies Conference. This year's theme was "Religious, Spiritual, Secular: Living in a Pluralistic Society." The award committee identified two especially excellent papers, one in theology and one in spiritual care.... DoraLi Harrison's essay, "Inside the Liminality: What Birthwork Can teach about Interfaith Work," makes a strong contribution to the field of spiritual care. Samuel Andri's essay, "Religions as Sacraments," spoke of the urgency of respect between religious traditions, using the language of Christian theology.

The MultiFaith Storytelling Institute is really awesome. They came to VST last summer, and students had a profound experience. We hear there are a few spots left. SIGN UP IF YOU CAN!

Need an uplifting religious message? Here's a 30-min inter-faith conversation about coming together to meet COVID-19. How communities have connected, what we want to bring into the future. SPOILER ALERT: It gets even better as the speakers get warmed up!

VST's annual Inter-Religious Studies conference (May 24-26) is VIRTUAL and more accessible than ever! This year’s topic is Religious, Spiritual, Secular: Living in a Pluralistic Society." Scholars, educators, writers, clergy, and spiritual leaders from a variety of faith traditions will present. We’ll discuss pluralistic cultures, inclusive theologies, spiritual and mental health, urgent political crises, AND MUCH MORE! Register to participate on-line in real-time, or in an extended 10 day version, with recordings & discussion. Or just RSVP to join us for the keynote and concert.