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Steph completed their Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo in 2012 and returned to campus in 2015 to start a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree at Conrad Grebel University College. During their time in the MTS program, Steph experienced a pivotal shift in their life: “It became clear to me that I wanted to go into pastoring.” “When we start to ask hard questions, when we decide to grapple for answers together, there’s a community that forms, and God meets you there in a cool way,” reflected Steph Chandler Burns (BA 2012, MTS 2017). 

The third Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference and Festival (GMP) took place on June 15-18, at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. A diverse range of scholars, Mennonite practitioners, artists, and theologians from around the world were invited to share about their work for peace and listen to each other’s stories.

Conrad Grebel University College has partnered with two Mennonite institutions to provide an opportunity for sequential degrees. With this arrangement, Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students at Grebel can transfer their credits and proceed to complete a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree at either Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Indiana or Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Manitoba.

Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre (TMTC) will end its operations this spring, following a decision of the Conrad Grebel University College Board of Governors at its February meeting.  

This year, Conrad Grebel University College and Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) came together to explore new pathways for learning by offering cross-listed graduate courses in which students from both institutions could enrol.

During orientation week this year, master’s students in Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) and Theological Studies (MTS), plus faculty and staff at Conrad Grebel University College were invited to participate in a tour of the Brubacher House Museum on the University of Waterloo campus, followed by a virtual tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, offered by the Woodland Cultural Centre.

“Writing illuminates our interior world and sometimes, illuminates the world for others,” wrote Sandy Conrad, Master of Theological Studies (MTS) student at Conrad Grebel University College. “Personal and honest stories have the greatest impact on the reader.” During the winter 2022 term, Sandy offered an eight-week creative writing workshop, where current MTS students and other alumni gathered to explore unique styles of writing and build confidence in their writing.

Queerness and theology do not always play well together. Ever since the word “homosexual” entered the English-language Bible (1946, RSV,) many of our own local, western Christian groups have been working hard to exclude LGBTQ+ folks from the family of God. This intentional exclusion and constant discrimination has resulted in high rates of suicide and suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, substance use, chronic stress, and general mistrust of religious institutions. No Christian space is exempt from this legacy, and we must all learn to do better.

As the pandemic lingers and students persevere in challenging times, students in the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College created pods. These small groups, made up of students with a mix of experiences, met virtually or in-person to offer mutual support, encouragement, and advice throughout the term.