From May 11 to 17, Jeremy Bergen attended commission meetings of the Mennonite World Conference, and the assembly of the European Mennonite Conference, all in the Netherlands.
From Professors Alicia Batten and Derek Suderman attended the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies / Société canadienne des études bibliques annual meeting at Mount Allison University (New Brunswick), May 28-30, 2026.
Dr. Jeremy Bergen, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, has been selected to serve as Grebel’s next Dean, starting July 1, 2026.
In May 2026, sessional instructor Terry LeBlanc, who is also a founding Chair and current Director of NAIITS and a an elder with the Abegweit Mi’kmaw First Nation Healing Centre, taught an intensive course TS 733 Indigenous Theologies at Grebel. This course focused on unique Indigenous theological contributions to the meaning of Christian faith and life.
On May 7-9, 2026, MTS student Mariia Smyrnova attended the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Slavists at the University of Ottawa, where she presented a paper about the militarization of religious life and the suppression of religious pluralism in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
by Jen Konkle, Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
In late March, a group of Conrad Grebel University College students and staff sat around a roaring fire in a tent near Victoria Park in Kitchener. This visit was the culmination of a winter term Grebel book club focused on the life story of Clarence Cachagee, founder of Crow Shield Lodge.
How do you create a safe, welcoming space that includes unsafe opinions? How can I have productive conversations on this issue? What does the original Hebrew in Genesis say about gender? These questions, and so many more, prompted thoughtful discussion at Conrad Grebel University College in mid-March.
The Theological Studies Department, along with Grebel’s Chapel Committee, hosted a panel discussion this March on Christian faith and 2SLGBTQ+ identity: “Christianity and Queerness.”
In January 2026, Jeremy Bergen gave a series of lectures on Christian Martyrdom and the Unity of the Church and public workshops on Church Apologies, Rites, and Wrongs in Saskatoon. Read his reflections about this trip to know more.
In December 2025, the TS Department organized several events to mark the end of the term. MTS students Sarah Weber, Sadie Ingle, and Tucker Finch presented their final papers at the Research Seminar, which drew nearly 25 attendees. The seminar was followed by the MTS Devotional in the Chapel. Kate Strathdee, Sarah Weber, Sadie Ingle, and gifted MTS musicians contributed meaningfully to the time of worship. To end the day, there was a traditional festive Christmas party in the Grad House together with MPACS students, staff, and faculty.
There are many paths that lead to the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College. For MTS alum Peter Haresnape, it started with learning goals for pastoral work.