About the Student Christian Movement

What is SCM?

Since 1921, the Student Christian Movement has been a vibrant force for social justice and ecumenism.

The Student Christian Movement of Canada is a youth-led grassroots network passionate about justice, community, and radical faith in action.

SCMers come from many backgrounds & beliefs, united by our mission to be a prophetic voice for justice in our world and in our communities. We are students active in liberating theology – committed to bringing together faith, anti-oppression & progressive social change.

All welcome | No dogma | ‘The Bible in one hand, a newspaper in the other’

Our world is suffering: war, eco-destruction, human rights abuse & interlinked oppressions continue to marginalize and exploit – while religion, which should liberate, is too often used to exclude.

Based in autonomous student communities (Local Units) across the country, SCM seeks to live another way. We’ve been activists in social change movements in church and society since 1921.

Our mission is to engage the “prophetic teachings of the revolutionary Jesus of Nazareth” – we empower action, share leadership skills, support our faith journeys, and nourish links between spirituality and activism.

As a radical ecumenical movement, we welcome all at our table, regardless of belief or background – everyone from Orthodox to agnostic. LGBTQ are welcome.

WATCH SLIDESHOW
‘An Intro to the Movement’

Read about SCM Canada on Wikipedia!

More about SCM

Our mission
Join the movement! (local units)
Student Leadership (the General Board)
SCM’s Structure (or, How the Movement Works)
Join an SCM Working Group
Glossary
Intro to the Global Movement

The SCM has been a student-led organization since its foundation. Over the years, students have participated in work camps, protested the Japanese internment during World War II, raised their voices against war in the 60s, and have challenged the churches to stop homophobia in the 90s.

SCM is a national organization but the life and direction of the national organization comes from the local units, found on university campuses throughout Canada. These local units are autonomous; members determine the shape and direction of their unit, including which issues the unit will focus on.

Senior Friends (SCM alumni & allies) contribute to the ongoing life of the SCM (nationally and with local units) in a variety of ways. Senior Friends offer support, advice, and financial contributions to keep the SCM flourishing.

Today, the SCM continues to be a place where students can connect justice and faith/spirituality. SCM challenges all forms of oppression, seeks to mobilize students to take action against globalization of capitalism, and continues to make connections between social issues and spirituality.

INTRODUCING SCM

Wikipedia entry on SCM Canada
Faithful to the Cause (by Chantal Braganza, United Church Observer, September 2009)
Movement in the Colonies: Introducing SCM
SCM in the media

“This world is in such desperate need of a new generation of prophets who can rise up and speak out against the tides of injustice that seem to sweep around us. I really hope that SCM can continue to be one of those prophetic voices, that we can be the visionaries and dreamers that we try to be.”

- student, Saskatoon SK

SCM’S VISION
’The Living Prayer

We are the Student Christian Movement because we feel called to engage the prophetic teachings of the revolutionary Jesus of Nazareth. We include people of many beliefs and faiths seeking to explore and challenge the Christian tradition.

Locally, nationally and internationally, we strive to be a healing community. Through spiritual practice we strengthen and challenge each other on this journey.

Embracing radical ecumenism and interreligious praxis, we celebrate the paradox of unity in diversity.

We seek through reflection, study and action to discern God’s will for the world and to understand our role in it.

Proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world. This we offer as a living prayer.