In February 2025, Prof. Allan Rudy-Froese met with MTS students to tell them about his intensive spring Preaching course, in particular, what techniques make you a good preacher, how to prepare for a public speaking, and what structure a successful sermon should have. See the photo from the event!
On March 12, MTS students marked PIE Day early by taking in the current exhibit on the 4th floor gallery. The exhibit, "Daughters, mothers, granddaughters, and other sexual outlaws", provided material for reflection and insight into the lived experience of cultural, intergenerational struggles in advancing sexual health and reproductive rights in countries such as El Salvador, Bangladesh, and the Phillipines.
Devin Hogg, the organizer and facilitator of the MTS event, shared: "We were moved by the heartrending stories of intergenerational struggles where girls were mothers at 14 and grandmothers in their early thirties. We were heartened by the work being done to resist systems of oppression in solidarity with others. We were reminded of the power of photography, and the potential of images to contribute to social change. If you have some time, we recommend checking out the exhibit this week since it is on until Thursday, March 20."
On Friday, September 6, as part of graduate orientation week, students in Conrad Grebel University College's Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) programs took a field trip to Brubacher House museum and the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) at the University of Waterloo. The goal of the outing was “for graduate students to situate themselves historically and geographically, and to reflect on how the histories of colonization have shaped our current location and studies,” explained Reina Neufeldt, Chair of Peace and Conflict Studies.
Grebel's Master of Theological Studies program is careful to include indigenous perspectives in the curriculum. This is part of the College’s commitment to following Call to Action #60 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that addresses theological schools and “the need to respect Indigenous spirituality in its own right.” In particular, courses like TS 732 - “Theologies of the Global South,” and TS 733 - “Indigenous Theologies and Methods” explore Indigenous theologies with attention to experience, history, the nature of the spiritual, key figures, and important themes. MTS students who have taken these courses reflected on some of their key learnings.
KyongJung Kim is a Mennonite pastor who serves at two churches and also works as a school bus driver for students with disabilities in the Waterloo Region. His spiritual awakening occurred after meeting Anabaptist Christians in Winnipeg from 1994 to 1997. Since then, he has continued his journey with Jesus and has remained committed to his faith no matter where life takes him.
Lori Guenther Reesor has experience as an author, speaker, and fundraising coach. After a spiritually enlightening experience during a student co-op term in Egypt, Lori has explored what it means to be generous. She also has three years of pastoral experience, and is an active member of Hamilton Mennonite Church. Her book, Growing a Generous Church, is filled with stories of how people learned generosity. The Reesor family is well known in the Grebel community; Lori met her husband, Barry, at Grebel, and both their children, Emma and Peter, also lived at Grebel. Emma followed in her parents' footsteps and met her husband, Thomas, at Grebel.
“Holding space to have difficult conversations can be incredibly difficult,” said Samantha Coelho, an Advocacy and Networking Specialist at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada. “But I think having these conversations can lead to more intimate and fulfilling relationships, allow us to build empathy, and remind us to have humility about the positions we hold.” Supporting marginalized communities, working for justice, and exploring creative approaches to addressing world issues have become a regular part of Samantha’s life, but her introduction to advocacy, justice, and peacebuilding began a decade ago during her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College where she studied Arts and Business with a major in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS).
Like many undergraduate students, Phil Enns’ professional career wasn’t immediately clear. He wandered between Philosophy and Religious Studies courses before pursuing a master's degree in Philosophy at the University of Waterloo. “While I did enjoy what I was studying, I didn’t have the flexibility to pursue the religious connections I was making,” he remarked. In search of a personal connection to his work, Phil connected with Jim Reimer, Professor of Theology at Conrad Grebel University College. “Jim introduced me to Grebel’s Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program, and I immediately knew that was what I was looking for.” As an MTS student, Phil was able to engage in conversations analyzing the differences between cultures and religions, something that greatly benefited him in his international work after graduation.
For Margaret Sherk and Christa Van Daele, returning to academic studies after an extended hiatus has been an exciting and introspectively insightful experience. Both Margaret and Christa are Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. Through discussions that encourage back-and-forths between professors and other students, they have experienced religious diversity that has allowed them to explore their own spirituality. Their life experiences have enriched their learning and allowed them to contextualize course content and provide valuable insights to others in the classroom.
At Conrad Grebel University College, theology classes are enriched by the variety of its students. For students who have just finished their undergraduate degree, or graduates looking to return to their studies after a hiatus, Grebel’s Master of Theological Studies program is a chance to get involved in the overarching theological discussion.