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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.

The Master of Theological Studies program at Grebel draws students from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions. Two current students, Kathryn Cressman and Laurel Rounds Fretz, joined Mennonite churches as adults and both felt a gradual pull toward ministry within their home churches.

In recognition of Emerson and Elsie McDowell's commitment to the ministry of the Mennonite Church, their vision for ecumenism, and to support of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College, the Emerson and Elsie McDowell Theological Studies Scholarship has been established. The McDowells had a long relationship with Grebel as donors, parents, and grandparents. The McDowell family has a strong interest in church leadership and a passion for theological studies and ministry, and they have chosen to establish this award in honour of their parents. 

Pandemic. Isolation. Stressful politics. Long winter. “Pancakes seem to be the obvious answer,” joked Master of Theological Studies student Christa Van Daele.

Conrad Grebel University College thrives on community, and with all the COVID restrictions in place, staff and students are always looking for creative ways to stay connected.

Along with the new Mennonite Hymnal Voices Together, members of the Mennonite Church have been working on another exciting project. Together in Worship is website with free worship resources for church leaders. While this is a binational project, the Conrad Grebel University College community was highly involved in the creation of this website.

Christian Theology, ministry, and the Bible are complex topics that can be studied using various approaches at Conrad Grebel University College. The Master of Theological Studies program offers students three distinct paths to complete their degree: course work, applied studies, and thesis. The thesis pathway is structurally very different from the other two pathways. In the first half of the program, students engage in courses while gathering resources and ideas for their thesis. The second half of the program is devoted to researching, writing, and reviewing their thesis: a 120-page research paper in a specific area of interest.

Most students choose the course work or applied studies path for their MTS degree, but Colin Friesen and Lindsay Ralph want to pursue further education. The thesis pathway allowed them to explore what a PhD might look like. A thesis can be one way to demonstrate the excellence in research that is required to be admitted into a PhD program.

Faculty and students in the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College have found that conversations between those with different approaches to Christianity are a valuable learning experience. Class discussions about the Bible, Christian theology, ministry, and church history are all enriched due to diverse approaches to Christianity from both students and professors.

Graduate students in the Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College usually learn together in small classes

The part-time study option available through Conrad Grebel University College’s Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at the University of Waterloo draws students from a variety of life stages and vocations. The MTS program supports individuals as they pursue questions of theology for personal enrichment or ministerial preparation. Among the program’s part-time students are many who hold a full-time job, including UWaterloo employees. They are seizing the opportunity to further their education and faith development in a setting that accommodates their current lifestyle and schedule. “The ability to study part-time at a master’s level is one of the things I really appreciate about Grebel,” commented MTS student Shelly Jordan.