Our first guest in the series, Rev. Stéphane Vermette, is the founder of virtual church plant Eglise Ste-Claire and Chair of the Moderator Advisory Committee. This talk will explore what our on-line experience is teaching us about how the spring impacted us, how it is changing self awareness and identity. We will also hear about Stéphane’s new, innovative project as well.

Ahmed Noman El Khazndar is the co-ordinator of the Spirituality Center at Carleton University and a student at St-Paul’s University in Psychotherapy. He also has a bachelors’s degree in Neuroscience.Ahmed and his team are in the process of integrating the Spirituality Center with Student Mental Health services and (hopefully) the faculties of Social Work, Psychology and Philosophy. Ahmed will address the relationship between spirituality and wellness. Interfaith – intercultural – intergenerational dialogue will be also part of the discussion.

Coun. Riley Brockington is an Ottawa City Councillor representing River Ward and member of the city’s Planning, Ottawa Public Library, and Transit committees, among others. This session will be a nuts and bolts discussion about how city services and family oriented organizations—like schools, daycares and churches—are looking forward on how to continue operations.

Our final guest, Rev. Peter Woods, is the Minister of MacKay United Church, an accomplished and active jazz saxophonist, and the leader of the Kindness of Jazz project. Rev. Woods will be addressing how cultural elements (like live music) are evolving and struggling to adapt to new realities. Study after study indicates that culture is important to our wellness, feeding people emotionally and intellectually. We’ll talk about why Jazz is so effective in bringing people peace.