news from the front lines at u of a

Inter-Faith Chaplains’ Association at the University of Alberta (IFCA) Report to the Edmonton & District Council of Churches
Thank you for this opportunity to report to your membership on our work over the past year.
Currently, IFCA’s membership includes:

• a part-time (>20 hrs/wk) Muslim (Sunni) Chaplain and visiting (4 hrs/week) Associate;
  
• a part-time Buddhist Chaplain (>20 hrs/wk);
  
• and ten visiting (4 hrs/wk), part-time (>20 hrs/wk) and full-time (>20 hrs/wk) Christian Chaplains
  and Associates, sponsored by the Anglican, Baptist, Christian Reformed, Lutheran, Mennonite, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and United Church denominations
  Chaplains agree to provide support to any student, staff or faculty, whether or not they identify with a particular faith, without attempting to recruit them to their own tradition. Usually, we meet monthly to plan and organize interfaith projects and offer support and accountability to one another. Our website can be found at: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/interfaith-chaplains/index.html
  Each Chaplain runs programs specific to their appointing tradition and serves the broader campus and city- wide community through various units of the University of Alberta and non-profit agencies within the City of Edmonton. Here are some examples of our broader service:
  

• U of A Campus Food Bank – Baptist Chaplain, IFCA Liaison, delivers food hampers weekly for students (mostly international) suffering food insecurity: https://campusfoodbank.com
  
• English Reading Club – Christian Reformed Chaplain assists weekly with/sometimes hosts this program of U of A International: https://www.ualberta.ca/international/international-student- services/events/english-reading-club.html
  
• English Conversation Club (different from English Reading Club) – Christian Reformed Chaplain assists weekly with program of U of A International: https://www.ualberta.ca/international/international-student-services/events/english-conversation- club.html
  
• Campus Services – Christian Reformed Chaplain, serves as IFCA Liaison to this network dedicated to making a difference in how youth ‘access’ and engage with mental health supports in conjunction with a nationwide group of ACCESS stakeholders, and was invited to make a presentation about his work: https://www.ualberta.ca/equity-diversity-inclusivity/campus- services.html
  
• Days of Action – Christian Reformed Chaplain serves as IFCA Liaison to this committee focusing attention on wellness challenges, e.g., World Suicide Prevention Day: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/wellness-supports/community-engagement/days-of- action/index.html
  
• PrayerWorks Common – Lutheran Chaplain gathers student volunteers monthly to
  

serve a hot
meal for people who are underhoused or homeless, or living with physical or cognitive disabilities,
addiction issues, mental illness or the loneliness of old age: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/what-we-
do/prayerworks-common--161
Late 2020 saw the introduction of new covid protocols at the University of Alberta, including the requirement of a downloadable Campus Ready Pass (as proof of full vaccination) to enter its campuses.
Since then, and throughout 2021, Chaplains have engaged in a mix of in-person and online ministry, following Provincial and University requirements.

• Muslim prayers and Lutheran Campus Ministry’s worship have been conducted in the HUB Multi-Faith Prayer and Meditation Space;
  
• Roman Catholic Mass has continued in the Chapels at Kateri House and St. Joseph’s College;
  
• the Christian Reformed Chaplain has offered a twice-weekly Ministry of Presence at Lister Hall;
  
  
• Anglican Morning and Evening Prayers have been offered online by Anglican Student
  Ministry; and
  
• Buddhist Mindful Meditation has been facilitated weekly online.
  Chaplains have met with students, faculty and staff both in-person and online to offer:
  

• Spiritual care and counseling;
  
• Celebrate graduations, birthdays and anniversaries; and
  
• Write letters of referral for scholarships and employment applications.
  In addition, Chaplains, like other religious leader in the city, have:
  

• Conducted marriage preparation;
  
• Officiated at weddings;
  
• Visited the ill;
  
• Reached out to the grieving; and
  
• Conducted memorials.
  
  In the 2021 Fall Term, IFCA assisted with or organized a number of events bringing together the campus and the wider community, including the following:
  

• Observance of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – Lutheran Chaplain assisted with this event organized by students belonging to the Intentional Christian Community at Martin Luther House, and including the joining of a drum song sung across Canada and the hanging of orange ribbons recognizing the victims of the nearest residential school, held at Martin Luther House, Sept. 30, 2021
  
• A Common Word Alberta (ACWA) Annual Interfaith Dialogue: Does Faith Matter? – Muslim, Anglican & Mennonite Chaplains assisted with this event including a Breakfast, Panel Presentation & Breakout Table Discussions, held at the Canadian Islamic Centre, Al Rashid Mosque, Oct. 30, 2021
  
• Interfaith Lunch & Conversation – Anglican, Christian Reformed & Mennonite Chaplains planned & organized this campus event featuring Guest Facilitator, Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, Animator for Ecumenical Relations and Interfaith Harmony, Anglican Church of Canada, held in the HUB Multi-Faith Prayer & Meditation Space, Nov. 25, 2021
  
• Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols for Advent & Christmas – Live! – Lutheran & Roman Catholic Chaplains organized this annual tradition (in-person!), assisted by the United Church & Presbyterian Chaplains, and featuring the U of A Mixed Chorus and the Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers and Readers from the University Community, held at the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, Benefit for Student Support, Nov. 29, 2021
  Throughout 2021, by mandate of the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Clubs, some advised by Chaplains, were allowed to meet outside, where members could socially distance, but were forbidden from serving food or beverages and were strongly encouraged to meet online.
  

Following new university Covid protocols announced last December suspending non-essential in-person programming, including classes until January 23, 2022, Chaplains have moved their work almost entirely online.

Throughout the pandemic, Chaplains have continued to serve the university from a holistic perspective, addressing the spiritual needs of the university. It is our prayer that we may move forward into better and more effective ways to be vehicles of the loving and just movement of the Divine through this time of pandemic.
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Rev. Richard Reimer,
Administrator Inter-Faith Chaplains’ Association at the University of Alberta (IFCA)