Two years of conference content.
2021 | 9th International Conference on Spirituality and Ageing
The conference theme, Vital Connections: Claiming voice and learning to listen,invited conversation about communication, communion and community in the context of aging and spirituality, issues that are increasing in importance in these pandemic times.
Conference sessions occurred on seven occasions (90 minutes each) between June 8th and June 22/23, 2021.
Papers from this conference were published in a special issue of Religions Journal, entitled Spirituality and Aging: Finding Meaning in the Context of Personal and Societal Change
Plenary Speakers and Paper Talks
- Gary Irwin-Kenyon, Conversation with Gary Irwin-Kenyon
- Elizabeth MacKinlay, A Bird’s Eye View of Spirituality and Aging: Reflections from the Past. Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?
- Mary Ann McColl, Direct and Indirect Interventions in Spiritual Care for Older Adults
- Anne M. Pott and Kathy Bonnar, Moral Injury in the Lives of Aging Veterans: Spiritual Needs and Support
- Tracy J. Trothen, Anti-Aging or Aging-Enhancing Medicine & Spiritual Well-Being
- Helen Dick, The religious and spiritual beliefs of residential aged-care workers in the face of death, dying and suffering in the workplace
- Jodi Webber and Tracy J. Trothen, Mitigating Moral and Spiritual Distress Among Community-Based Professionals
- Florence Juma, Recapturing Oral Traditions of Songs and Stories in Spiritual Conversations with Older Adults: An Afro-Indigenous Approach
- Rabbi Dayle Friedman, Embracing Dementia: Nurturing Connection Instead of Dread
- Mona Tokarek LaFosse, Inspiring Intergenerational Relationships: Aging and the Bible from One Historian’s Perspective
- Susan Elliot and Andrea Rishworth, Spirituality and Ageing in Africa: The Truly Least of These
- Susan McFadden, Pandemic Disruptions of Vital Connections: What Have We Learned?
- Elizabeth Pringle, Integrating Spirituality into the Model of Care
- G. Kevin Randall, Family of Origin, Depressive Symptoms, Religiosity, and Social Provision
- Catherine Dhavernas and Carmel Williams, The Biography Project: A Buddhist Approach to Teaching about Aging
- Lydia Manning, The Lived Experience of Aging in Faith Communities: Exploring the Perceptions of Support for Older Adults
Pre-Recorded Sessions
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Sally Mordike, Home or homely? Spiritual meaning of ‘home’ for residents in aged care
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Samantha Bews, Advanced dementia and consciousness: A theatre installation
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Connie Zweig, Elder service as a spiritual practice
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Christine Bryden, Improving children’s understanding of dementia
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Ben Boland, Jesus Loves Me Church - a Youtube resource
- Mary Ann McColl, Ten stories: Inter-generational transfer of values and meaning
- Vennus Yuen Wai Ho & Chi Hang Charis Wong: Connect, change, co-create: Application of dog-assisted therapy
- Christopher Pomfret, Spirituality in our third thirty, our most important asset as we age?
- Esther Hurlburt & Roxanne Cheney, A Caring Place: You are never alone
- Cynthia Breadner, Introduction to spiritual communications in a new era
- Jane Kuepfer, Spiritual Care in Ontario Long-term Care: Current Realities and Hopes for the Future
- Shmuel Stephen Bowman, My soul thirsts: Spiritual wellbeing amidst COVID restrictions
- Celia McBride, Re-charge Break
2023 | 10th International Conference on Spirituality and Ageing
To experience the conference we suggest you begin by opening the ICAS 10 Program.
The conference theme, Challenges and Choices: Spirituality and dignity in later life, was an invitation to explore various issues within the scope of ageing and spirituality. We focused on the contexts in which we find ourselves, generational perceptions of the reality of ageing, and where and how we find dignity in later life, dying, and death. Diversity, the role of the arts, and the potential of technology also flavoured our discussions.
Conference sessions were held in person between June 4th and 7th, 2023 at Conrad Grebel University College.
Papers from this conference were published in a special edition of the Journal of Religion, Spirituality, and Aging, Vol 36, Issue 4 (2024)
Keynote Speakers
- Dr. Kathy Absolon(Minogiizhigokwe – Shining Day Woman), Carrying the Lantern: An Anishinaabe Experience (Youtube)
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Dr. Ellen Idler,Religion as a Social Determinant of Health in Old Age? (Youtube)
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Rev. Prof. Elizabeth MacKinlay, Challenges and Choices | Closing Keynote (Youtube)
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Dr. Kathryn Mannix, Talking About Dying (Youtube)
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Dr. Susan McFadden,Dementia and Faith Communities: Reasons for Hope (Youtube)
Speaker bios are included in the video descriptions.
Panels
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Talking About My Generation – Panel Sally Mordike, James Ellor
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Religious Resources for Ageing: Inter-Religious and Interdisciplinary Discussion – Panel – D. Mitra Barua, Allen Jorgenson, Mona Tokarek Lafosse, Henry Shiu, Nazila Isgandarova
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Making Meaning with Tech: Hopes and Cautions – Panel - Tracy Trothen, Cosmin Munteanu, Beate Steller
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Dementia in Faith Communities – Panel - Susan McFadden, Daphne Johnson, Ross Brittain, Al Power
Encore webinar series
Encore Webinars: Spirituality Aging provide an opportunity to connect with an international community sharing research andpractice. Our first 6 webinars were repeat (“encore”) paper workshop presentations from the 10th International Conference on Ageing Spirituality held in Waterloo, Canada in June 2023), for those who missed them, or requested a chance to experience them again. Each webinar is an hour long.
2023-2024 Series speakers
Chris Pomfret: Spirituality in our Third Thirty: Possibly our best asset as we age
Keith Albans: It's how you say it: Exploring the language and imagery of ageing
Beate Steller: Meditation for older people: guiding mindfulness meditation groups in aged care
Ingrid Loepp Thiessen: Oh What a beautiful morning: Songs, prayer, reflection, story to celebrate hope and faith
Becky King and Meghan Young: Nurturing Spirituality and Creativity in those living with dementia
Kathryn Mannix: Listening skills