WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE CHESTER RONNING CENTRE
A Note from the Director
Greetings!
This March, every corner of religion and public life seems to be saying, "Let’s shake things up!" Snow melts into mud. Calendars burst with festivals like Holi, Purim, and Mardi Gras. Even March Madness turns reasonable people into bracket prophets and couch pilgrims. It’s chaos season. And with headlines focusing on economic and political uncertainty, we’re leaning into the joyful, convivial side of it all.
It has been a very fulfilling month for the Ronning Centre. Thank you to everyone who attended our events! Ivan Coyote’s Playlist was a powerful mix of story and song. With humor and heart, Ivan shared how tunes from AM radio and their parents’ records shaped their queer identity. Clyde Petersen’s artwork added another layer of nostalgia. The show left the audience reflecting on their own soundtrack — and how music shapes who we become.
In a thoughtful session, Alexander W. Marcus shared tools with me for navigating tough conversations about Israel-Palestine. They offered practical ways to stay respectful, informed, and empathetic. Attendees left better equipped to engage in dialogue on complex, sensitive issues.
Jully Black captivated the audience with powerful performances and heartfelt stories. In her artist talk, she spoke about responding to fear with faith, the deep influence of her mother, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable and show up as your full self. Her reflections sparked a fun and insightful conversation with me about authenticity, representation, and the power of faith and music to transform lives.
In our latest Philosopher Cafe, David Goa discussed his personal journey of walking alongside Muslim friends. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to FIKA for hosting the last 3 cafes. Our April cafe is set to take place at the Bill Fowler Centre in the chamber boardroom. Grab a coffee and bring a friend!
Sincerely,
Joseph R. Wiebe
Director, Chester Ronning Centre
Associate Professor of Religion and Ecology Faculty Website
Upcoming Events
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Philosopher's Café series “Tell We Have Faces”: Walking with Christian Evangelical Friends April 3 | 1:30 p.m. MST LOCATION CHANGE: |
On Our Bookshelf
Remembering Our Relations:
Dënesųłıné Oral Histories of Wood Buffalo National Park
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation with Sabina Trimble and Peter Fortna
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